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: 30 p.m.,September 21,2010 at the Buckingham Memorial Bldg. PRESENT: Ms. Olive Buddington, Ms. Laurie Glenney- Popovich, Mr. Alan Bergren, Mr. Pete Desaulniers, Mr. Jeffrey Lord. ABSENT: Mr. William Nash & Mr. Sean Ryan ALSO ATTENDING: Ms. Ann Lathrop, Mr & Mrs Richard Erickson, Mr. Robert Zarnetske Chairwoman Buddington called the meeting to order at 5:30pm, noting a quorum was present. PUBLIC COMMENT: Due to a family emergency, the protesty hearing of Mr. William Dickersaon has been postponed until the November meeting. The Commission was addressed by Mr. & Mrs. Erickson, relating the difficulties they have experienced in trying to find parking when visiting the Otis Library. Ms. Ann Lathrop addressed the Commission with concerns of the 30 minute parking limit in the area of the Library. The Commission members assured the guests that their concerns were heard and that efforts were being made to alleviate some of the issues. Ms. Buddington thanked all speakers for coming and encouraged them to continue attending the meetings. MINUTES NPPC MEETING 09/21/2010  2 MINUTES: On a motion by Mr. Desaulniers, second by Mr. Lord, the Commission voted unanimously to accept the minutes of the July 20, 2010 regular meeting. The motion made included the minutes of the August 25,2010 special meeting. The minutes of the August 25,2010 were approved with 2 abstentions. ( Mr. Desaulniers and Mr. Lord were not in attendance at the August 25,2010 meeting.) FINANCIAL REPORTS & BILLS TO BE PAID: A motion was made by Mr. Desaulniers, seconded by Mr. Lord to accept the financial reports and accounts payable reports for July & August 2010. The motion was voted on and passed unanimously. CORRESPONDENCE: A letter from Mr. & Mrs. Erickson was read by Ms. Buddington. MINUTES NPPC MEETING 09/21/2010  3 NEW BUSINESS: Discussion of the Validation program: The subcommittee presented their report. The Validation program would be expanded to allow attorneys to validate for up to 1 hour. The validation would be limited to once per client, with the agreement that the attorneys would direct their clients to long term or free parking that is available in the vicinity. Validations could be called in to the office and the “hard copies” of the summons would be picked up by the officers on patrol weekly. It was also recommended that the posters distributed to participating merchants be larger. Ms. Buddington asked if any consideration had been given to the Library as to participating in the program. Mr. Desaulniers stated that the library had not been specifically discussed. Ms. Buddington asked that the subcommittee continue to work on the Validation issue, which would include a definition of businesses allowed to participate. It was decided that the report would be discussed and voted on at the November meeting. OLD BUSINESS: Discussion of parking changes: Mr. Robert Zarnetske, a former Alderman and member of the Parking Commission, came before the Commission to voice his support and encouragement for the changes being introduced by the Parking Commission. Mr. Zarnetske stated that change is not always readily accepted, but it is important to continue the “parking plan”. There is no “one plan fits all” answer, each City or Town has different needs and it is important that each is considered, while not losing sight of the needs of the City as a whole. MINUTES NPPC MEETING 09/21/2010  4 ANYTHING ELSE BROUGHT BEFORE THE COMMISSION: Ms. Rizzuto brought to the Commission information relating to the Friends of the Library Book Sale to be held 10/15/2010 through 10/17/2010. Mr. Robert Farwell, Director of the library,was consulted and was appreciative of the arrangements made. The information was provided to the Friends of the Library at their meeting on 09/15/2010. The November meeting of the Parking Commission will be rescheduled to November 23,2010 and listed as a “special meeting”. Because the date has changed, we must change the designation to a special meeting. The scheduled meeting of November 16,2010 will be cancelled. ADJOURNMENT: Motion made to adjourn by Mr. Lord, second by Ms. Glenney- Popovich. Voted on and passed unanimously. Meeting was adjourned at 6:55 pm Respectfully Submitted, Judith A. Rizzuto, Administrator Norwich Public Parking Commission MINUTES NPPC MEETING 09/21/2010