Inclusiveness, Community Engagement & Governmental
Processes Committee
TO: INCLUSIVENESS, COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT, DATE: SEPTEMBER 7, 2022
AND GOVERNMENTAL PROCESSES COMMITTEE
FROM: PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT WARD: 1 SUBJECT: REESTABLISHMENT OF A DOWNTOWN PARKING COMMITTEE ISSUE:
Receive a report to consider the reestablishment of a Downtown Parking Committee.
RECOMMENDATIONS:
That the Inclusiveness, Community Engagement, and Governmental Processes Committee:
Recommend Public Works conduct two annual Transportation Board Meetings (January and July) dedicated primarily to the review of Downtown parking items; Recommend staff bring two annual reports before a City Council Standing Committee for review of Downtown Parking items; and Uphold the prior City Council decision regarding the sunset of the Downtown Parking Committee.
BACKGROUND:
On September 6, 2011, the City Council elected to sunset the Downtown Parking Committee and incorporate its work into the Parking, Traffic, and Streets Commission (now known as the Transportation Board). A copy of this prior report is attached for additional background information.
On August 3, 2022, following the recent rescission of modified parking rates of hours, Inclusiveness, Community Engagement, and Governmental Processes Committee (ICGC) Member Conder requested that consideration of reestablishment of the Downtown Parking Committee be brought before ICGC.
DISCUSSION:
In keeping with the City Council’s decision of September 6, 2011, staff have continued to bring items relevant to Downtown parking to the Transportation Board (which replaced the Parking, Traffic and Streets Commission). The Transportation Board reviews items related to Preferential Parking Zones, the establishment of timed parking zones, Downtown Parking capital improvements, and other critical parking related tasks. The Transportation Board makes decisions regarding parking in the context of the needs of pedestrians and motorists and is also involved in recommendations regarding the establishment of speed zones, pilot transportation projects, traffic signal timing, and capital improvements.
Staff concurs with City Council’s prior recommendation in 2011 to sunset the Downtown Parking Committee. However, to improve communication and community engagement, staff is recommending that two annual Transportation Board meetings (January and July) be held and dedicated to the review of Downtown Parking items. Staff would encourage participation by the Riverside Downtown Partnership, Chambers of Commerce, and other interested stakeholders in such Transportation Board meetings. Staff additionally suggests that two annual reports are brought to either the Mobility & Infrastructure Committee and/or the Land Use, Sustainability and Resilience Committee to discuss Downtown parking issues. Each of these meetings would be shared in advance with interested stakeholders to ensure engagement from Downtown businesses, and staff would continue its practice of presenting items in advance to stakeholders including the Downtown Partnership and Chamber of Commerce.
STRATEGIC PLAN ALIGNMENT:
Staff’s recommendation contributes to Strategic Priority 5 - High Performing Government and Goal 5.3 - Enhance communication and collaboration with community members to improve transparency, build public trust, and encourage shared decision-making.
Community Trust – Additional meetings of the Transportation Board dedicated specifically to Downtown Parking issues would provide further opportunities for the Downtown Business Community to engage on issues important to them in a public forum.
Equity – Adherence to the 2011 Council decision would promote the consideration of variety of perspectives when items related to Downtown Parking are considered by a board, commission or Council committee.
Fiscal Responsibility – Staff’s recommendations are neutral towards this cross-cutting thread.
Innovation – Staff’s recommendations are neutral towards this cross-cutting thread.
Sustainability and Resiliency – Staff’s recommendations will help to further the resilience of the Parking Fund.
FISCAL IMPACT:
There is no fiscal impact associated with this report.
Prepared by: Gilbert Hernandez, Public Works Director
Approved by: Kris Martinez, Assistant City Manager
Approved as to form: Phaedra A. Norton, City Attorney
Attachments:
September 6, 2011 Council Memorandum
Presentation
Reestablishment of Downtown Parking Committee ● Page 2