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HomeMy Public PortalAbout20110606ParkingMinutes.pdfApproved: July 27, 2011 Page 1 of 3 CITY OF TYBEE ISLAND PARKING COMMITTEE SPECIAL MEETING MINUTES: JUNE 6, 2011 ATTENDEES Council Committee representatives: Wanda Doyle, Bill Garbett, Paul Wolff Staff Committee representatives: Diane Schleicher, Mary Hogan, Ethan Imhoff, Chantel Morton, Pete Ryerson CALL TO ORDER Bill called the meeting to order at 4:00pm. OLD BUSINESS: I. Revisit Process of Parking Enforcement in City ROW Bill explained that the purpose of the special parking committee meeting is to discuss the enforcement of parking in the city rights of way. He read the notice that was in the last water bill as follows: To alleviate parking congestion, (the City) has begun the process of allowing cars to park in unmetered spaces along the side of city streets. Parked customers must have a city decal or a pay and display receipt in the windshield. The enforcement area is defined as nine (9) feet from the paved, improved or travelled portion of the road. Cars parked in the area without a valid decal or receipt will be ticketed. Please ask family, friends and visitors to your home to park at least nine (9) feet from the street to avoid a fine. Bill provided background that the policy was not an effort to increase parking revenue, but an attempt to control what was already taking place with visitors parking in city rights of way and residential neighborhoods. Visitors were getting tickets and claiming they were told they could park in front of their friend’s house. Parking Services cannot tell the difference between a friend and someone parking where they could find a space. Parking Service asked for guidance with this situation and the parking committee recommended that visitors parking in the city rights of way display a valid parking permit with the intention that this would cut down parking in residential areas. The city owns and controls the rights of way which are typically 60’ wide and the pavement is usually 20’ wide, which leaves 10’ on either side of the pavement. This is city property and, in many cases, someone’s yard. Requiring a paid permit to park does not change the status of parking in the city rights of way. Parking has always been allowed in city rights of ways and will continue to be allowed. They are simply trying to figure out the best way to control it. Currently, there are no controls of parking in the rights of way other than park with the flow of traffic and park entirely off the pavement. It is quite apparent that residents and property owners have great concerns over the recent policy announcement and the meeting is held to revisit the issue. Several scenarios have been put forward such as: to prohibit parking along the rights of way; allow residents to control who parks in front of their homes – implying parking is assumed to be allowed unless a resident calls parking services to report a vehicle in front of their house; allow anyone to park in the rights of way without paying anywhere/anytime unless it is a marked parking spot or designated parking area which would then require a decal or receipt; designate areas where parking in the rights of way is allowed but is pay to park – ideally these areas would be convenient to pay and display kiosks. Bill opened the floor to attendees for other suggestions. He explained the goal of the meeting is to have a solution to fairly and consistently Approved: July 27, 2011 Page 2 of 3 regulate parking while trying to minimize the impact on residents. 20 minutes are being allowed for public comments with a limit of two (2) minutes per person. - Dac Cowart presented pictures of city rights of way where Hwy 80 and Old Hwy 80 come together and signage for parking. His suggestion is to allow for parking to go east out of the Lazaretto Creek business area for better safety measures. - Dale Williams spoke as a residential property owner. His suggestion is to give property owners the discretion to handle parking in city rights of way. - Harvey Farrell expressed concern with increased crowds, property values decreasing and agreed that people parking in yards is not favorable. He agreed with Dale’s suggestion. - Frank Kelly reviewed his research regarding allowing pay and display parking in unmarked spaces. He expressed concerns with safety issues, egress in / out of lots with people parking in rights of ways and runoff issues with dying grass. He asked if the City was going to put up silt fencing and if the police department would reroute people to available parking when the southend area is full. He suggested raising parking fees during peak times such as is done at Clearwater Beach. He agreed that allowing the resident to control who parks in front of their home in the rights of way adjacent to their property is an option unless it is a marked spot. - Angela Byers addressed the committee with questions such as: who would maintain the rights of ways regarding litter; will the property owner be required to remove plants / trees in the rights of ways; and who will be responsible for safety issues with cars parked on rights of way. - Jim Glass commented that the step that has been taken has been positive because it has always been permitted, but now the visitors have to pay to park in those areas. He noted that restricting public access to this public beach could result in the city being put in a position of weakness when seeking public funding for Island needs such as beach renourishment. He regularly witnesses the congestion on the southend and sees police and / or parking services redirecting traffic. - Stewart Clay commented it is important to know whose responsibility it will be when someone parks in their yard / city rights of way. He understands the difficulty of the situation to make a policy and understands the trash and safety concerns. He confirmed that he would rather have control over the rights of way in front of his properties. - Tyler Marion presented a picture in front of his property and commended parking services. The picture depicted debris in front of his property and safety is his foremost concern. He will volunteer to help devise a solution. - Skip Sasser asked if what was approved by council several years ago that allowed people to place moveable items within three (3) feet of the roadway would now be null and void and people would now need to remove items such as railroad ties, etc. He suggested going with allowing the owner to make the call. - Frank Shuman commented that he has PVC piping and chain to block parking because of previous issues with people disturbing his yard. He believes nine (9) feet is too wide. - Carry Efird requested answers to questions that have been posed throughout the meeting. Bill reiterated that the format of the meeting is for solutions to be posed for consideration. She asked what the goal of the policy is and how will the visiting community know about the policy. Wanda confirmed that the purpose is to give guidance to Parking Services. Carry suggested that when the island is at maximum capacity people could be turned away. She suggested the committee devise an illustrated display to show public areas for parking and publicize it. Her solution is that the city needs to do a better job at communicating to outlying areas where they can park and where parking is restricted. Approved: July 27, 2011 Page 3 of 3 - Karen Kelly expressed concern about parking on tree roots, near stop signs and trash. Her solution is to have a sign at Bull River for day trippers that conveys the message that Tybee public parking is full or congested and possibly have a parking garage. - Keith Gay reiterated that there are two issues which are Tybee is a diverse island and the rights of the owners need to be honored. He believes the rights of way should be under the guidance of the property owner in terms of how it is used. His solution is to have City Council pass on ordinance that allows the property owner to have a car towed which is parked in the rights of way at their property without getting in trouble. He also suggested allowing property owners to post no parking signs or barriers to block people from parking in the city rights of way without permission. - Lisa McKenzie does not agree that the property owner should tell the visitor they are or are not allowed to park in the city rights of way at their property. She does agree that communication needs to be improved and police foot traffic should be present to keep traffic moving and that people need to be aware where parking is available, such as at the Police lot. Bill called the public comment section to close. Paul made a motion that people be allowed to control the rights of way in front of their property to allow or not allow people to park there. Wanda seconded the motion for discussion. She asked for a consensus from the attendees. Wanda confirmed with the city manager that people are to call parking services regarding people parking in their yard. Wanda sees that this is an issue when parking services is not available every hour of every day. She understands the dilemma of those that have done improvements on city rights of way and the need for communication. She explained that various shuttles are available on island currently. There is a need to let people know where parking is available. Paul withdrew his motion for clarification. Bill reiterated that Paul’s motion was to rescind last week’s opinion to parking services and would allow residents to control who parks in front of their home and who can park in the rights of way adjacent to their property. Paul restated the motion as to allow property owners to determine who may park in the rights of way adjacent to their property. Enforcement is not necessarily included. It will be the parking committee’s responsibility to establish policy regarding who property owners should call, if ticketing / towing is allowed and if property can be signed as such. Bill seconded the motion. The motion passed with Bill and Paul in favor and Wanda opposed. Bill explained that the issue would be revisited at the next City Council meeting with the recommendation made by the Parking Committee. He welcomed people to contact them with other suggestions and / or comments. Kathryn commented that, as was said at the beginning of the meeting, Parking employees were coming and saying “I am finding people parked down residential streets, what do I do if they already have a pay and display?” Therefore, that is what brought all of this to fruition. The motion that has passed as a recommendation to come before City Council is that things are basically going back to the way they were before. Now people would have recourse to call parking services or police to address the issues and protect all home owners. City Council does not want to cloudy the waters. Bill confirmed this motion will increase property owner’s control of the rights of way and will cost the city a substantial amount of money because enforcement would cease in these areas. Wanda moved to adjourn the meeting at 5:05pm. Paul seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously.