Public Parking Commission

1 CITY OF NORWICH NORWICH PUBLIC PARKING COMMISSION The following are the minutes of the regular meeting of the Public Parking Commission held at 5:15 p.m., March 17,2009 in the Buckingham Memorial Bldg. PRESENT: Ms. Olive Buddington, Co-Chair, Mr. Alan Bergren, Mr. Bettencourt(arrived late), Mr. Jeffrey Lord, Mr. William Nash and Mr. Robert Zarnetske. ABSENT: Mr. Sean Ryan At 5:20 p.m. Ms. Buddington called the meeting to order, noting a quorum was present. MINUTES: On a motion by Mr. Lord, it was voted to accept the minutes of the January 13, 2009 meeting as recorded. Motion seconded by Mr. Nash. Motion voted on as follows: In Favor: Ms Buddington, Mr. Bergren, Mr. Lord and Mr. Nash Abstention: Mr. Zarnetske Motion to accept the minutes was passed. FINANCIAL REPORTS & BILLS TO BE PAID: A motion was made by Mr. Lord, seconded by Mr. Bergren to accept the financial reports and accounts payable reports from December 2008 through February 2009. The motion to accept the financial reports and accounts payable was voted on and passed unanimously. MINUTES NPPC MEETING 01/13/2009  2 PUBLIC COMMENT: NONE CORRESPONDENCE: NONE OLD BUSINESS: A brief report was provided to the Commission, regarding the leasing of the parking lot to the YMCA. Ms. Rizzuto stated that at this point in time, the YMCA has decided not to pursue a lease agreement with the Parking Commission. The parking lot will continue to be available for public use. NEW BUSINESS: An update regarding the “warning” summons issued was provided. From its inception on 02/02/2009 through 03/13/2009, the PEO’s have issued 127 warning tickets. Very little public comment received on this program. Ms. Rizzuto stated that she was surprised at the lack of comments on the program. ANYTHING ELSE BROUGHT BEFORE THE COMMISSION: Ms. Rizzuto informed the members that an email was received on 03/17/09 from Ms. Evelyn Bessette. The email requested the use of the top level of the Market Street Garage on June 26 - 28, 2009. Ms. Bessette stated in her email that the screen and sound system for the laser show for the 350th would be placed atop the garage for optimum visibility for attendees. After a brief discussion, the members decided to approve the request. In order to utilize the garages to their maximum, Ms. Rizzuto requested that the Commission members allow her to change the status of the garages. The Market Street garage would be restricted to permit parking only and the Main Street garage would be paid public parking. The public parking would be at meters or through “day passes” issued at the Commisison Office. New directional signage would be put on Main St., CHS , Chelsea Harbor Drive and Market St. to aid drivers in getting to the Main Street Garage. New signage would also be installed in the garages, indicating the change. The Waterfront Lot will also undergo a change from Reserved parking to 2 hour public parking. The members thought the change was a good one and hope that it will ease some of the congestion “on street”. MINUTES NPPC MEETING 01/13/2009  3 Ms. Rizzuto had requested help in determining when the Commission could increase the rental fee for the Artspace parking spaces. A memo had been drafted to Ms. Jennifer Gottlieb, Asst. City Manager. Ms. Gottlieb responded by stating that the AMI had not changed by much since the CO date (2001)and would not effect an increase. Mr. Bettencourt provided the Commission with numbers from the Federal government which indicated that the AMI had increased from $57,300 to $77,400, which would suggest that an increase is indicated. Ms. Rizzuto thanked Mr. Bettencourt for his research . After the figures are verified, we will be seeking an increase in the monthly fees for Artspace. ADJOURNMENT: Motion made to adjourn by Mr. Nash, second by Mr. Bergren. Voted on and passed unanimously. Meeting was adjourned at 5:44 pm Respectfully Submitted, Judith A. Rizzuto, Administrator Norwich Public Parking Commission MINUTES NPPC MEETING 01/13/2009