February 14, 2006
Members Present: Paul Bixby, Craig Edmondson, Steve Gahagans, Jay Huneycutt, David Martinson, Bill Mock and Gary Smith. Also attending were Scott Riddle from RIC and Jack Willems from the Traveler.
The January 18, 2006 minutes were approved.
Report on Current Parking Status - Gary Smith
1. The testing on the Harmon Avenue Parking Facility proximity cards as debit cards has been completed. Advertising will be put in Headlines and in the Traveler to let people know that this convenience is available. Credit cards are now accepted at the pay stations. There is a cashier at Harmon Avenue Parking Facility now allowing permit sales, citation payments and appeals to be processed at that location. We are close to being able to accept Razorbucks at Harmon Avenue Parking Facility. We’ve talked to the architects about redesigning the level 6 exit. The problem is vehicles back up at the exit are blocking other vehicles from continuing going on down to the exits on levels four, two and one. The design would be to move the exit gate out more so there would be more queuing room.
2. The track construction is on schedule. Lot 55 will close on March 1.
3. The Maple Hill housing construction will not begin until after graduation.
Old Business
1. Parking Permit Fees – In the past we could only recommend a 5% increase in fees because that is all the Board of Trustees would approve. Now we’ve been told that we could ask 5 1/4%. The next garage (on Garland, across from NW Quad) needs to be open in 2009 but based on current fees it could not be opened until 2014. Transit has been able to stand alone with its grants, funding and student fees.
2. Permit benchmarking was completed with SEC and other selected schools. The Resident Reserved permit fee was the only one that was above average but that could only be benchmarked against two other institutions. All the other permit types were average or below the corresponding type. Craig Edmonston moved to accept the 5 1/4% increase in permit fees. The motion was seconded and passed.
3. Paul and Craig reminded the committee of Reggie’s suggestions of putting a surcharge on event tickets and permitting or metering the city streets around campus to generate more revenue and not raise permit prices. Craig also mentioned a university-wide approach to relieve parking stresses, such as balancing scheduled classes instead of a heavy concentration of morning classes.
New Business
1. Handicapped parking by Walton College of Business – Paul has received several complaints about vehicles waiting in the handicapped spaces to pick up others. Some were approached and asked to move and wouldn’t. Gary said he talked to the field supervisors and they will go and explain that they can’t wait there, must go elsewhere. This will be noted as a warning in our system and the next time the driver will be ticketed for standing.
2. Evening permits – night students can park for free after 5 pm in most campus lots. We could extend the time to later in the evening and that would require permits, bring in more revenue, and allow students parking only in the evening to help pay for the parking they are using.
3. Extending meter hours in Stadium Drive Parking Facility – Currently payment is required in Harmon Avenue Parking Facility until 10 p.m. When the Stadium Drive Parking Facility first opened, the plan was to require permits or hourly payment until 9 p.m. but Tom Rufer requested the free parking after 5 pm to encourage participation in Union activities. This would also bring in more revenue and allow those parking in the garage in the evening to help pay for he facility.
Paul informed the committee that Renee Clay of Staff Senate suggested charging in HAPF for parking on the weekend of Bikes, Blues and Barbecue.
The meeting was adjourned.