MORGANTOWN PARKING AUTHORITY

Wednesday, November 14, 2007

Regular Meeting

 

The regular meeting of the Morgantown Parking Authority was held at 3:00 P.M., Wednesday, November 14, 2007, in the Conference Room at the Public Safety Building.

 

PRESENT:  Charlie McEwuen, George Papandreas, Jeanne Hagan, and Tom Arnold.

 

ABSENT:   Chairman Ernest Fortuna and Vice-Chairman Bill Byrne.

 

OTHERS PRESENT:  Dana McKenzie, Enforcement Supervisor, Morgantown Parking Authority.

 

            Parking Authority member Charlie McEwuen called the meeting to order at 3:00 P.M.

 

APPROVAL OF MINUTES:

 

            Upon a motion by Ms. Hagan, seconded by Mr. Papandreas and approved by unanimous vote, the minutes of the regular meeting of September 12, 2007 were approved as presented.  

 

UNFINISHED BUSINESS:

 

Review New Enforcement Software Program:

 

            Mr. Dana McKenzie, Parking Authority Enforcement Supervisor, explained the difference between the old and new enforcement handhelds.  The old handheld had a DOS operating system where the new one is a Windows base system.  The new handhelds can hold more information and has wireless and Bluetooth capabilities.  The wireless communication is not currently being used, however, it will be available once the City goes wireless. 

 

            A new feature to the handheld is the capability of taking pictures of the license plate and downloading it to the ticket file.  The previous handheld had tire chalking capabilities which has been upgraded in the new handhelds.  There are some issues with the scofflaw portion of the handheld, which is currently being corrected.  The scofflaw indicates when a vehicle has outstanding parking tickets and is eligible to be booted.  The Parking Authority has made a partial payment of 80%, with the remaining 20% to be paid when the handhelds are operating at 100%. 

 

            Mr. Arnold said he would like to make a change in the booting policy.  He said there are various reasons a vehicle will be impounded instead of immobilized with a boot.  He therefore would like to change the violation code “Boot Fee” to “Impound Fee”.  The impound fee will remain $45. 

 

            Upon a motion by Mr. Papandreas, seconded by Ms. Hagan, and approved by unanimous vote the violation code “Boot fee” will be changed to “Impound Fee”.

 

Ordinance to Raise Fines and Establish Zone Parking to Target Business Owners, Employees, and Resident Students:

 

            Mr. Arnold said the current City Ordinance 373 regarding enforcement of street meters from 9 AM to midnight will need to be eliminated to allow for the new ordinance to enforcement between 11 PM to 6 PM on the two-hour street meters.  The next public meeting will be Tuesday, November 20th.  The new ordinance will be on a ninety-day trial basis.

 

            Mr. Arnold said that the next time an ordinance regarding parking comes up he would like Main Street Morgantown to write the ordinance up and present it to the Parking Authority to approve prior to going before City Council.

 

NEW BUSINESS:

 

Open Permit Lot-A for Evening and Weekend Use:

 

            City Council requested the Parking Authority open Lot A during the nights and weekends to allowing the public to park while they go to dinner or attend an event in the downtown.  Mr. McEwuen said this is a well-intended idea however he has some reservations regarding it.  He is afraid that vehicles that park in the lot during the weekend will have their vehicles towed on Monday morning if the vehicle is still in the lot.  Before making any changes to Lot A the Parking Authority would like City Council to elaborate on the need for this change.

 

Loading Zone Enforcement:

 

            Mr. Arnold said there is an ongoing problem with vehicles illegally parking at loading zones on High Street.  The City issues loading zone permits at a cost of $3 each.  The Mediterranean Market and Pita Pit have purchased a loading zone permit and park in the loading zone spaces even if they are not loading or unloading.

 

            Mr. Arnold would like to work with the Police Department to time park vehicles at loading zones and the ultimate goal is to remove the vehicles from the space to allow delivery vehicles to make their deliveries.  Mr. Papandreas said that the Police are hesitant to tow vehicles based on the dollar value of the car.  Mr. Arnold said the Police Department has a lot of liabilities when it comes to towing.  He will write a letter to the Police Department letting them know that the Parking Authority will help them time park vehicle in loading zones. 

 

OTHER MATTERS: 

 

Lighting on Wall Street:

 

            Mr. Arnold reported that Mr. Bill Rumble, Public Works, looked at the lighting on Wall Street and is investigating how the lighting can be upgraded.  Mr. Papandreas offered to contact property owners on Wall Street to request mounting lighting on their building and have the City reimburse them for that portion of their utility bill.  Mr. Arnold said the City is not permitted to have utilities on private property.  Mr. McEwuen suggested that the City change the lighting to stainless steel to allow it to illuminate more. 

 

            Mr. Arnold said the lighting on Wall Street is bad, however, the Parking Authority is not responsible.  He will write a letter to the City Manager that there is a security problem with the lighting for pedestrians who park in the Spruce Street parking garage and use the alley on Wall Street.

 

 

 

Parking Authority Christmas Luncheon on December 21st:

 

Mr. Arnold and his wife will host a Christmas luncheon at noon on December 21st to show their appreciation to the Parking Authority members and to the Parking Authority staff.

 

Thanksgiving Weekend Parking:

 

            Thursday, November 22nd and Friday, November 23rd are employee holidays and offices will be closed.  Mr. Arnold stated that instead of paying double time and a half the Parking Authority would open the parking garage gates to the three parking garages on the afternoon of Wednesday, November 21st and close them on Monday morning, November 26th.

 

Wharf Parking Permits – Premiere Buick, Pontiac, GMC:

 

            Mr. Arnold met with Premier Buick, Pontiac, GMC and has a verbal agreement with them that they will lease forty-seven parking spaces in the Wharf parking garage at a monthly rate of $2,300.

 

2007 Budget:

 

            Mr. McEwuen said he noticed the year-to-date revenue for lots C, F, & E was down from last fiscal year.  It was determined that part of Lot F was closed for church having core drilling work done and Lot E had storm drain repairs.

 

Lot E & B Rodent Control:

 

            There is a rodent problem near the dumpsters in Lot E & Lot B.  Mr. Arnold has been working with the City Manager on a program that will have the City pay for an exterminator to eliminate the problem.

 

ADJOURNMENT:

 

There being no further business Mr. Papandreas moved, Ms. Hagen seconded and the meeting was adjourned at 4:15 P.M.

 

 

 

 

 

_____________________________              ______________________________

                           DATE                                          Bill Byrne, Vice-Chairman

 

 

 

 

 

Prepared by:  _____________________________________

                                      Dianna L. Kovalcheck