MORGANTOWN PARKING AUTHORITY
Annual Report 2000
INTRODUCTION:
Mission Statement -The mission of the Morgantown Parking Authority is to provide the City a convenient, safe, secure, and aesthetically pleasing parking experience. The Authority shall continually maintain, improve, and increase parking opportunities to meet the unique challenges that are present as the result of growth and development within the City.
Goals- The Parking Authority goals are reviewed each year to determine their achievement and how that achievement has impacted the vision of the Mission Statement. Goals summon the Authority personnel to greet the many challenges that influence customers' needs and convenient accessibility to Authority facilities. For 2001 the Parking Authority staff will strive to accomplish the following:
1. The Parking Authority is again working with WVU to construct a 600+ vehicle garage at the corner of Willey St. and University Ave. A very positive dialogue has resumed with the University to accommodate the issues of both parties. This will be a full public access facility that will considerably benefit both the business and University communities.
2. Public parking will be established in the historic Wharf District. The decisions on the parking needs are based on the present demand (as per zoning requirements) and what will be needed to supply parking for future development. The Authority will construct 32 on-street parking spaces on Wharf Street in 2001. The Authority will also continue to evaluate its presence in providing public parking for future business development and the escalating use of the Rail-Trail and the Riverfront Amphitheater. This process will determine the need and size of an adequate parking facility.
1. This concept will establish a special vendor market in the Downtown every Saturday from 8 am to 3 pm beginning June, 2001, and will last until October.
2. The Market is being designed as an "experience" for continuous promotion of the Downtown and an assistance to compliment Downtown merchants.
3. Vendors will be carefully chosen to set specified displays along Wall Street and on High Street.
4. Authority personnel will administer and maintain the Market each Saturday to assure success.
The Authority's Executive Director will come before Council with full details of the project when they are finalized.
CURRENT PROGRAMS & SERVICES:
Ticket Validation Program - On January 1, 2000, the Authority started a new program to validate expired meter tickets with the various business sectors in the Downtown. The new concept was created through Main Street with no charge to member businesses. This particular program is quite unique in comparison to other validation programs in other Cities. This plan requires office staff to keep checks on validation requests to insure the rules are followed. This has assured a very successful first year of validation. Member merchants have validated 655 meter violations and saved their customers $3,149 in fines.
"This One's On Us" - This program issues a "This One's On Us" instead of an expired meter violation, if the meter has been expired for 10 minutes or less. The Authority has received very positive responses to this project and has voted to continue it for another year. A total of 1,265 "This One's On Us" have been issued since January 1st.
Parking Brochure - A new parking brochure has been designed and printed with Main Street Morgantown for distribution to the public, Chamber of Commerce, Convention Bureau, and West Virginia University. This updated version shows the present lots, garages, new lots, new programs, and the parking regulations.
Booting Program - In January, 1999, the Authority enforcement officers began using the "Boot" to immobilize vehicles that have accumulated unpaid violations rather than towing as in the past. For fiscal year 99-00 the Boot generated revenue of $26,725 (593 uses @ $45 each) and reduced the costs to motorists by 55% or more by not being towed and also saved time by not having to wait for tow trucks and police contents reports. Some towing still does occur in cases of unclaimed vehicles to open the space for use.
Parking Survey - An ongoing survey to detail the parking space activity was started on December 1, 1998. The Authority staff has compiled information daily to reflect the use of all Authority maintained facilities from 9 am to midnight. A unique software program has been developed to compile the data that determine influences of seasonal changes, semester sessions, holidays, and special promotions. The survey data will be compiled continuously as a tool to determine trends, determine enforcement, and need for any new programs.
INITIATIVES:
Signage - In 2001, the Authority will be replacing the lot signs with universal signs identifying available public parking. This undertaking will replace the old and outdated signs on all the lots and garages. The signs will be use the universal symbol "P" with the limits (2-hr or 10-hr) on each sign. The Authority is also planning a concept to identify each lot for customers' convenience as a point of reference. Sign posts and signs will be designed to resemble the old gas station signs with exterior lighting. Estimated Cost - $65,000
Public Safety Building Parking Garage - This past summer, the garage was closed to clean and seal the concrete decks. The sealant is to prevent road salt from being absorbed into the concrete and interacting adversely with the iron reinforcement rods. Expansion joints were also recaulked on the top decks to prevent rainwater leaking onto the decks below. Cost - $73,000
University Ave. Garage Maintenance - Next summer, the Authority will be closing portions of the garage to repair sections of concrete decks. All the decks will then be cleaned and sealed to protect from road salt infiltrating the concrete reinforcement. The garage is a "post tension" type of construction with the support coming from steel cables. To preserve the integrity of the facility, maintenance of the cables is paramount to prevent rust that results in concrete failure. Estimated Cost - $300,000
Various Projects in the Downtown Funded by the Parking Authority
1. Steps and Sidewalk at the Public Service Building were constructed for the benefit of easy access through the plaza. Cost - $1,400
2. Sidewalk Sweeper was purchased to keep the Downtown clean on a daily basis. Cost - $6,500
3. Flowerbeds at the Public Service Building are being maintained in conjunction with the Beautification Committee with funding from the Authority. Cost - $850
4. Trash Receptacles have been placed next to sidewalks along Authority lots (in the Hazel Ruby McQuain Park and Downtown) to assist with litter control. Eighteen receptacles were purchased at cost of $8,100.
EMPLOYEES:
The successes of the Parking Authority have been realized by the dedication of the employees. As Morgantown continues the phenomenal growth that it is enjoying, the Parking Authority will retain its philosophy "to remain flexible in the face of change." This flexibility has been defined as the growth and expansion of programs and facilities to accommodate new parking demands. A far greater burden has been placed on employees to meet the challenge.
Staff - The Executive Director is Tom Arnold and he reports directly to the Parking Authority. The Director oversees the operations, employee training, facilities management, public relations, capital improvements, and program development.
The 4 uniformed meter enforcement officers regulate the compliance of the meters, assist customers with any needed information, and provide security for patrons in the lots and garages.
Lot and Garage Maintenance has 2.5 staff members that clean and perform minor repairs to facilities including green space.
1.5 staff members take care of meter repair, collection, and daily bank deposits. They also assist maintenance on certain projects.
In the office there is a Customer Service Representative to give full attention to the walk up patrons and those that telephone their concerns. The Records/Operations manager and the accounting clerk process violations, account for fine collections, process payments, check vehicle registrations, administer the validation program, and send notices. The collection rate for this office is 93% of tickets written.
| REVENUE: FISCAL YEAR 1999-2000 | ||||||
| Total Meter Revenue - | $ 902,179 | |||||
| Fine Collection - | 367,208 | |||||
| Total Revenue - | $ 1,269,387 | Investment Balance - $ 2,015,778 | ||||
| Expenditures - | Capital Outlay - Financed by operating income and carryover balance | |||||
| Personnel Services - | $ 370,788 | |||||
| Contracted Services - | 217,154 | |||||
| Commodities - | 127,619 | New Lot Construction | $ 263,400 | |||
| PSB Garage Payment - | 393,388 | Equip Purchase | 43,170 | |||
| Total Expenditures - | $ 1,108,949 | Total | $ 306,570 | |||
| Carryover Balance - $ 160,438 | ||||||
SUMMARY:
With the start of a new century, the Morgantown Parking Authority is properly prepared to confront the parking difficulties. The expansion of facilities, programs, and staff are investments to enable each stakeholder the opportunity to visit, work, shop, and mutually prosper with the growth of our community.
Though the Authority is funded entirely by user fees, the program management philosophy enables the Authority to completely support service obligations to the general public. It is essential that the Authority maintain its ability to work with the entities that responsibly enhance and develop properties and businesses in the Downtown.