CITY OF EL PASO DE ROBLES
"The Pass of the Oaks"
City Council Agenda Addendum
Tuesday, November 21, 2023, 5:45 PM
Tuesday, November 21, 2023, 6:30 PM
Library/Conference Center Council Chamber
1000 Spring Street
Paso Robles, CA 93446
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Pages
Q. DISCUSSION ITEMS
*3. Parking Ad Hoc Committee Findings and Recommendations 2 - 11 Damian Nord, Chief of Police
CEQA Determination: The City finds that this action is not a project under the California Environmental Quality Act pursuant to State Guidelines Section State CEQA Guidelines, §§ 15060, subd. (c)(2)-(3), 15378.
Recommendation: Staff has no recommendation for this item and is requesting City Council direction.
City Council Agenda November 21, 2023
Council Agenda Report
From: Damian Nord, Police Chief
Subject: Parking Ad Hoc Committee Findings and Recommendations CEQA Determination: The City finds that this action is not a project under the California Environmental Quality Act pursuant to State Guidelines Section State CEQA Guidelines, §§ 15060, subd. (c)(2)-(3), 15378.
Date: November 21, 2023
Facts
1. On June 6, 2023, the City Council directed the establishment of an ad hoc committee, comprised of Councilmember Chris Bausch and Councilmember Steve Gregory, to review the Downtown parking program. After review, the ad hoc committee is to return to City Council with recommendations for modifications to the existing parking program.
2. The Ad Hoc Committee convened four times between June and September, which included public feedback, staff presentations and comprehensive discussions. A brief outline of each meeting is as follows:
a. June 26, 2023, Parking Coordinator Donna King provided a brief presentation with chronological information on the parking program to date. b. July 31, 2023, Councilmember Gregory led a discussion on the purpose of the Ad Hoc Committee and provided a summary review of what had been discussed to date. c. August 21, 2023, Public Works Director, Freda Berman, presented the results of the parking garage study completed by Stantec and Administrative Services Director, Ryan Cornell, presented recent sales tax trends and data with a focus on the downtown area and the status of the parking in-lieu fee fund.
d. August 28, 2023, Administrative Services Director, Ryan Cornell, provided a brief overview of the monthly costs for the parking program and approximate costs for the existing trolley programs in Avila Beach and Morro Bay. Police Chief Damian Nord presented a summary of options presented to date and asked for consensus and direction from the Committee members.
3. At the close of the August 28th meeting, Chief Nord prepared a summary of options to determine consensus on recommendations from both Committee members to present to City Council.
Options
1. Take no action.
2. Modify the parking program, based upon Ad Hoc discussion and deliberation, which included the following options:
a. Offer free parking on Tuesdays and Wednesdaysto encourage increased midweek downtown visitation.
b. Increase the cap on annual senior permits to encourage increased downtown visitation by seniors
c. Replace existing signage with updated messaging that clearly reflects parking regulations.
City Council Agenda November 21, 2023
d. Develop an outreach campaign to support Downtown businesses midweek and an education campaign to better inform customers about Downtown parking regulations.
3. Disband the temporary Parking Ad hoc Committee
4. Provide alternative direction to further modify or eliminate the parking program.
Analysis and Conclusions
City Council established the Ad Hoc Committee for the purpose of reviewing the parking program and determining, what, if any modifications (or termination) was necessary to improve customer experiences and the fiscal position of the parking program in the downtown area. At the final ad hoc committee meeting, Chief Nord presented a summary of options discussed to determine whether there was consensus between Councilmembers Bausch and Gregory. Councilmembers Bausch and Gregory agreed on the following recommendations to modify the program: 1) offering free parking on Tuesdays and Wednesdays; 2) offering additional senior permits; 3) update and improve the parking signs; and 4) utilize City staff to develop an outreach campaign. Separately, there was consensus on future study and additional discussion regarding the technology around timed parking.
Fiscal Impact
If no changes are made to the existing parking program, the program costs (minus parking fines) are expected to continue to exceed program revenues. A lack of revenue is attributable to the fact that nearly 90% of all parking sessions are free, since the first two-hours of a session are free. Some of the proposed changes discussed by the Ad Hoc Committee will likely exacerbate the structural funding deficit of the parking program by further reducing paid parking sessions and revenue. For instance, it is estimated that there will be an annual revenue loss of approximately $37,000 by offering free parking on Tuesdays and Wednesdays.
If approved, the Ad Hoc Committee recommendations will require the replacement of existing signs to enhance awareness of parking regulations and to reflect free days. The estimated cost to update existing signs is $34,000. This estimate does not include costs associated with increasing the quantity or size of signs.
Any additional modifications to the program, including offering additional senior permits, a local permit program, and an outreach program will have associated costs that will vary dependent on the specifics of the modification. Although not expected to be significant in comparison to the signage update costs or free day revenue loss components, there will likely be staff time, materials, and promotional costs that are yet to be determined.
CEQA
The City finds that this action is not a project under the California Environmental Quality Act pursuant to State Guidelines Section State CEQA Guidelines, §§ 15060, subd. (c)(2)-(3), 15378 because it has no potential to result in either a direct, or reasonably foreseeable indirect, physical change in the environment.
Recommendation
Staff has no recommendation for this item and is requesting City Council direction.
Attachments
1. Parking Ad Hoc Committee Meeting Summaries
City Council Agenda November 21, 2023
DONNA KING AD HOC SUMMARY 6/26/23 1
CITY OF EL PASO DE ROBLES
“The Pass of the Oaks”
Parking Ad Hoc Committee
SUMMARY NOTES for June 26, 2023
Committee Members: Councilmember Bausch (present) and Councilmember Gregory (present) City Staff Liaison: Donna King, Parking Coordinator
1. Introductions
Staff – Donna King, Damian Nord, Ryan Cornell, Chris Huot Councilmembers – Bausch, Gregory
Community Stakeholders selected by committee members: Jeff Carr, Jeanne Serge, Kate Smith, Joeli Yaguda
Main Street Association– John Roush
Chamber of Commerce – Gina Fitzpatrick
Wine Country Alliance – Joel Peterson
Travel Paso – Stacie Jacobs (absent, sent e-mail statement)
2. Staff handouts/presentations
Donna King provided handouts to all attending and gave a brief presentation on information on parking program to date.
3. Stakeholder questions
Roush - Requests copy of presentation slides and sales tax data from May 22 to May 23.
Carr - How many paid sessions are 3 hours, 4 hours, etc.? Wants procedure for how parking system works (plate entry, enforcement, etc.).
Serge - What do other tourist cities do?
Jacobs - Can we determine the high usage times for parking based on the data collected? Can the citation officer be part of the community patrol team to keep the program fiscally intact? How can information gathered from the program inform best practices for long term solutions? We understand the tourism ecosystem will grow so how can we think about longer term solutions now (ie, parking garage) that support the community?
4. Public comment names – Ed Hughes, John Texiera, Sherry Nelson, Joe Kuntz, Rochelle Carter, Bill Saylor, Dale Gustin, Ray, Jennifer Roush, Keith Belmont, Jeff Weisinger
5. Adjournment to next scheduled meeting anticipated to be held in July. Date and time to be determined.
Attachment 1
City Council Agenda November 21, 2023
DONNA KING AD HOC SUMMARY 7/31/23 1
CITY OF EL PASO DE ROBLES
“The Pass of the Oaks”
Parking Ad Hoc Committee
SUMMARY NOTES for July 31, 2023
Committee Members: Councilmember Bausch (present) and Councilmember Gregory (present) City Staff Liaison: Donna King, Parking Coordinator
1. Introductions
Staff – Donna King, Damian Nord, Ryan Cornell, Chris Huot, Ty Lewis Councilmembers – Bausch, Gregory
Community Stakeholders selected by committee members: Jeff Carr, Jeanne Serge, Kate Smith, Larry Warner
Main Street Association– John Roush
Chamber of Commerce – Gina Fitzpatrick
Wine Country Alliance – absent
Travel Paso – Stacie Jacobs (absent, sent statement)
2. Handouts
Councilmember Gregory provided meeting agenda, previous meeting summary notes, and letters.
3. Purpose of Committee
Councilmember Gregrory provided a draft committee purpose statement.
Stakeholders and public provided feedback for the Ad Hoc Committee members.
4. Committee comments
5. Public comment names – Norma Moye, Michelle Farmer, Sharon Foster, Jennifer Roush
6. Summary Review
A review of what has been discussed to date was provided.
7. Discussion
8. Adjournment to next scheduled meeting anticipated to be held in August. Date and time to be determined.
Attachment 1
City Council Agenda November 21, 2023
DONNA KING AD HOC SUMMARY 8/21/23 1
CITY OF EL PASO DE ROBLES
“The Pass of the Oaks”
Parking Ad Hoc Committee
SUMMARY NOTES for August 21, 2023
Committee Members: Councilmember Bausch (present) and Councilmember Gregory (present) City Staff Liaison: Donna King, Parking Coordinator
1. Introductions
Staff – Donna King, Damian Nord, Ryan Cornell, Chris Huot, Freda Berman Councilmembers – Bausch, Gregory
Community Stakeholders selected by committee members: Jeff Carr, Jeanne Serge, Katelyn Smith, Larry Warner, Joeli Yaguda
Main Street Association– John Roush
Chamber of Commerce – Gina Fitzpatrick
Wine Country Alliance – Joel Peterson
Travel Paso – absent
2. Public comment names – Dale Gustin
3. Parking Garage Study
Freda Berman presented the results of the parking garage study completed by Stantec.
4. Downtown Sales Tax/Parking In-Lieu Fee presentation
Ryan Cornell presented recent sales tax data and the status of the parking in-lieu fee fund.
5. General Committee Discussion
Councilmembers Bausch and Gregory presented options for consideration:
a. Termination of the paid parking program
b. Increase number of senior parking permits
c. Offer free parking on Tuesdays and Wednesdays
d. Incorporate technology to allow for timed parking
6. Adjournment to next scheduled meeting to be held Monday, August 28th at 2 p.m. in City Council Chambers
Attachment 1
City Council Agenda November 21, 2023
DONNA KING AD HOC SUMMARY 8/28/23 1
CITY OF EL PASO DE ROBLES
“The Pass of the Oaks”
Parking Ad Hoc Committee
SUMMARY NOTES for August 28, 2023
Committee Members: Councilmember Bausch (present) and Councilmember Gregory (present) City Staff Liaison: Donna King, Parking Coordinator
1. Introductions
Staff – Donna King, Damian Nord, Ryan Cornell, Ty Lewis Councilmembers – Bausch, Gregory
Community Stakeholders selected by committee members: Jeff Carr, Jeanne Serge, Katelyn Smith, Larry Warner, Joeli Yaguda
Main Street Association– John Roush
Chamber of Commerce – Gina Fitzpatrick
Wine Country Alliance – absent
Travel Paso – absent
2. Public comment names – Rochelle Carter, Jan Hop, Mary Uebersax, Dale Gustin, Jeffry Wiesinger, Sharon, Linda Colwell
3. Financial Reporting/Trolley Costs Overview
Ryan Cornell provided a brief overview of the monthly costs for the parking program and approximate costs for the existing trolley programs in Avila Beach and Morro Bay.
4. Parking Ad Hoc Summary Review
Chief Nord presented a summary of options presented to date and asked for consensus from the Committee members.
a. Termination of the paid parking program – no consensus b. Increase number of senior parking permits – consensus to increase annual senior permits
c. Offer free parking on Tuesdays and Wednesdays – consensus to offer free parking on both days
d. Timed parking – consensus for a future study and additional discussion e. Parking fund debt cancellation – no consensus on debt cancellation f. Signage and outreach – consensus for improved signage and outreach g. Summary recommendations – Chief Nord will prepare a summary of recommendations to present to City Council.
5. Adjournment
Attachment 1
City Council Agenda November 21, 2023
From: Camilla Burns
To: City Clerk
Subject: Downtown Parking
Date: Monday, November 20, 2023 10:55:39 AM
[EXTERNAL EMAIL]
To whom this may concern,
I am writing to you as a downtown business owner and longtime resident of Paso Robles.
Whilst the paid parking has some positive aspects there are far too many negatives that are impacting our downtown core.
During the week, our streets are empty, people are boycotting the downtown area, not realizing that it is the small business that is suffering from their actions which derive from the complicated parking system.
Atascadero is growing in leaps and bounds, people come and go with freedom and SLO is also changing their ways to be friendlier to the local community.
It is such a shame that you have to park to take your children to the park and ice-cream, or popping in to get take away food etc.
I implore that the City re-considers the way parking is structured so that small business remain in business!
Best Camilla Svensson Burns.
Camilla S. Burns
BIJOU
Paso Robles, CA 93446
www.bijouonthepark.com
Item Q-3 Public Comment
Burns, Camilla
City Council Agenda November 21, 2023
1 Mary Sponhaltz
From: Lauren
Sent: Tuesday, November 21, 2023 10:50 AM
To: City Clerk
Subject: Free parking
[Some people who received this message don't oŌen get email from . Learn why this is important at hƩps://aka.ms/LearnAboutSenderIdenƟficaƟon ] [EXTERNAL EMAIL]
Hi, this email is for the meeƟng in regards to free parking. I read the meeƟng is today but another date was posted. Hope this reaches the correct day.
I have been a Paso Robles resident for the past 20 years. I really hope that the city of Paso Robles keeps the two hours of free parking. My son who is seven years old sees his therapist that is located downtown Paso Robles 2 to 3 Ɵmes a month. I greatly appreciate the two hours of free parking just for that specific reason my car is only part for 10 minutes total when I drop him off and pick him up. It is already hard enough to find parking downtown Paso Robles and then to add another cost just to take my son to therapy is a bit frustraƟng. My family of four rarely goes downtown as it is because it’s a really hard to find parking. It’s really hard to take my kids to the park and then to add a fee just to go let my kids run around would basically make it impossible for me and my family to enjoy our downtown shops, restaurants etc.
Please keep the two hours of free parking just so I can conƟnue to have my son see his therapist. Paso Robles has grown so much. Please keep the small town feel this town is slowly losing. Please keep the two hours of free parking especially for the locals.
Thank you.
Sent from my iPhone
Item Q-3 Public Comment
Albus, Lauren
City Council Agenda November 21, 2023
From: Tina Arciero
To: City Clerk
Subject: paid parking
Date: Tuesday, November 21, 2023 6:59:33 AM
Some people who received this message don't often get email from [email protected]. Learn why this is important
[EXTERNAL EMAIL]
Hello,
I was informed that a meeting will be held today at 5:45pm in regards to removing the 2 hours of free parking downtown. As a local, I oppose this 100%. Please do not charge us locals to run a quick errand downtown, grab lunch or do our shopping. This will hurt the businesses downtown and in turn hurt our city. Do you not receive enough taxes from us already? The occupancy tax you collect continues to rise especially with more hotels popping up everywhere. Enough already.
Q-3 Public Comment
Arciero, Tina
City Council Agenda November 21, 2023
City Council Agenda November 21, 2023