TITLE
Recommendation to receive and file the report, “Downtown Long Beach Parking Improvement Update.” (Districts 1,2)
DISCUSSION
At the November 11,2014 City Council meeting, the City Council, through agenda item R-12 sponsored by Councilmember Gonzalez and Vice Mayor Lowenthal (Exhibit A), requested the City Manager to study downtown public and privately contracted parking lots and structures. That study was provided via memorandum to the Mayor and City Council on June 12, 2015 and, at the request of Councilwoman Gonzalez (Exhibit B), subsequently presented at the August 18, 2015 City Council meeting. Following that presentation, City staff was asked to return to the City Council in October 2015 to provide additional updates related to improving the parking experience in Downtown, with an emphasis on the three City Place garages: Lots A, B, and C, particularly related to security, maintenance, and marketing.
Responding to this request, Public Works provided an update to the advancements made to Downtown parking in a memorandum to the Mayor and City Council on October 2, 2015. This report, "Downtown Long Beach Parking Improvement Update" (Exhibit C), detailed the expansive efforts to better serve customers at the parking facilities. Specifically, the report highlighted key actions taken at the garages since August 2015:
• Robust security operations at the City Place garages by increasing the security coverage to include nights and weekends. Previously, security at the garages occurred only during business hours on weekdays; security is now provided 24/7.
• More frequent cleaning of the garages with twice weekly sweepings and monthly high-pressure power spray washing. City Place Lot A underwent the high-pressure power spray washing on September 30, 2015. Previously, the City Place garages underwent once weekly sweepings and quarterly high-pressure power spray washing.
• To enhance marking efforts, a user-friendly parking website that centralizes parking services information, provides easy access to purchase a monthly parking permit, and identifies both City-operated and privately operated parking garages in Downtown and on the City's beach parking lots.
The report also identifies a funding source in the parking meter revenue collected in Downtown. As adopted by the City Council on December 2, 2014, parking meter revenue collected from the new smart meters in Downtown (above the three-year average) would be dedicated to funding parking improvements in Downtown, including the capital projects at the City Place garages.
Finally, the report provides a plan and timeline for the various improvements to the parking experience. The report identifies completed projects, ongoing projects, and potential enhancements with additional funding.
This matter was reviewed by Deputy City Attorney Amy Webber and by Budget Management Officer Victoria Bell on October 6, 2015.
TIMING CONSIDERATIONS
City Council action is requested on October 20, 2015 to fulfill the City Council's request on August 18, 2015 that Public Works provide an update on Downtown parking structures in October 2015.
FISCAL IMPACT
On December 2, 2014, the City Council committed to fund parking structure improvements through excess Downtown parking meter revenue set aside for parking improvements. Additional meter revenues accrued from FY 15 is currently estimated at $70,000. The Public Works Department will return to the City Council at a later date with a request for appropriations from additional downtown parking meter revenue for these parking improvements.
Any additional improvements that are proposed in the attached report above the parking meter revenues generated will require identification of additional funding and additional
SUGGESTED ACTION
Approve recommendation.
Respectfully Submitted,
ARA MALOYAN, PE
DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS
APPROVED:
PATRICK H. WEST
CITY MANAGER