HomeMy WebLinkAbout6.29.20.work session minutes COUNCIL WORK SESSION
June 29, 2020
4:10 p.m.
Harold E. Getty Council Chambers
Members present: Boesen, Amos, Morrissey, Klein, Feuss, Grieder, and Juon.
Moved by Juon seconded by Grieder that the Agenda,as proposed,be approved. Voice-vote Ayes:
Seven. Motion carried.
Objective: Discussion of City of Waterloo Parking Program.
John Rouse,Republic Parking,provided an overview of the parking services provided by Republic
Parking.
Michelle Weidner, Chief Financial Officer,provided an overview of a cost comparison of Parking
Program costs provided by Republic Parking versus City-Staffed Directly for the FY2021 budget.
Mr. Morrissey questioned how much revenue the city receives for parking.
Michelle Weidner commented the current budget for FY21 is $527,500. She said that despite
fewer events downtown due to Covid-19, parking revenue has done pretty well. She added that
parking fees were suspended for a few weeks as well.
Mr. Morrissey clarified that the city's revenue matches what it pays out for parking services.
Michelle Weidner confirmed.
Mr. Morrissey questioned if the program has always met its budget.
Michelle Weidner commented that they have not always met the budget due to some past issues
with the hotel and convention center. She added that republic parking is very frugal and works
hard to keep expenses low.
Mr. Morrissey questioned when the contract with Republic Parking expires.
Michelle Weidner commented that it expires in August so a renewal would be sent to the agenda
on July 13, 2020.
Mr. Morrissey requested the total revenue vs. cost for the length of the current contract.
John Rouse commented that the renewal would be for another five years but could be written for
three years with a one-year renewal. He commented that there is a non-performance clause in
most of the contracts that allow the customer to remove Republic for poor performance.
Mr. Morrissey questioned what would happen if all parking meters were removed with downtown
being a free parking zone with one or two staff to provide direction. He commented that people
get tickets for shopping downtown and added that a free parking zone would promote parking
downtown.
Michelle Weidner commented that in the past when there was free parking, employees and
downtown residents would park on the streets or in front of where they work, which did not allow
shoppers to find a place to park.
Mrs. Juon concurred with Michelle's comments regarding free parking.
John Rouse commented that in Cedar Rapids a year after the flood,parking meters were not being
enforced and businesses were suffering. Once parking was enforced and employees could no
longer park there, shoppers returned. It is important to manage the meters and encourage turnover
to support the downtown businesses.
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Mr. Grieder questioned if it is possible to use the phone app to allow for some allowable time of
free parking.
John Rouse commented that he is working with Passport to look into this option.
Jerri Griswold, Park Waterloo, commented that it is an option, but because there is a twenty-five
cent convenience fee, the person would actually get more time if they just paid twenty-five cents
and not use the free fifteen-minute option.
Mrs. Juon questioned if we can continue to work on on-street parking with the contract renewal
on the horizon.
John Rouse commented that they could definitely work on the on-street parking program in the
future.
Mrs. Juon commented that a cost estimate for software changes would be helpful.
Mr. Morrissey questioned if the meters are battery operated.
John Rouse confirmed that many of the meters are battery operated. The newer meters do a better
job of communicating to the maintenance staff.
Mr. Morrissey explained that some of the complaints he has received from downtown businesses
is that when batteries run low the meters do not perform well and it takes forever to get them
replaced.
John Rouse commented that the newer style meters have connectivity and communicate to a
centralized server that notifies staff on the status of the meter.
Mrs. Klein commented that she supports the use of parking meters and questioned the outcome of
survey that sent to council to select their option preference.
Michelle Weidner explained that the option that received the most support was for one hour of free
parking in the ramp and a resolution is on tonight's agenda.
Mr. Feuss commented that the city does need to do something to help the downtown businesses
by having even one meter on each street with a 15-minute free parking for people wanting to run
in and out of a business quickly.
Mr. Greider concurs with the need to support businesses and strike a balance.
Mr. Boesen commented that he has a number of questions and wishes this conversation started
earlier than two weeks before the contract expires. He stated that he looks forward to reviewing
the cost over the past five years and what the cost was when the city managed the parking.
Mr. Amos commented that it would be good to work with the businesses to provide some free
parking.
Mr. Morrissey requested delaying contract approval until the council receives additional
information on the program.
Council then discussed next steps for moving forward with the contract and how to approach
discussions on changes in services for downtown parking.
With no further business before the Council, it was moved by Morrissey seconded by Boesen that
the meeting be adjourned at 5:17 p.m. Voice-vote Ayes: Seven Motion carried.
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Kelley Felchle
City Clerk