BOOK 3 Page 31701 05/17/10 2:30 P.M. MINUTES OF THE SPECIAL SARASOTA COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY MEETING OF MAY 17, 2010 PRESENT: Chair Kelly M. Kirschner, presiding, Members Suzanne Atwell, Richard Clapp, and Terry Turner, Executive Director Robert J. Bartolotta, Attorney Robert M. Fournier, and Secretary Pamela M. Nadalini ABSENT: Vice Chair Fredd "Glossie" Atkins The meeting of the Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) was called to order by Chair Kirschner at 2:50 p.m. 1. APPROVAL RE: MINUTES OF THE SPECIAL COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY MEETING OF MARCH15, 2010 (AGENDA ITEM CRA-1) Chair Kirschner noted CRA consensus to approve the minutes of the Special CRA meeting of March 15, 2010. 2. DIRECTION RE: PARKING POSITION PAPER (AGENDA ITEM CRA-2) Assistant to the City Manager Susan Dodd, came before the Commission; gave a presentation concerning the background of the paid parking program and the purpose of the position paper which is to advise the implications of regulated versus unregulated parking including a method for which to pay for regulated parking and the status of the Parking Enterprise Fund (Parking Fund); and stated that Staff distributed the position paper to the Downtown Improvement District (D.I.D.), the Downtown Sarasota Alliance (DSA), and the Downtown Sarasota Council (DSC) to provide in writing the boards' perspectives regarding the value of regulated parking and the method to pay for regulated parking; that the responses by the D.I.D., the DSA, and the DSC to the position paper are included in the Agenda backup material. The following people spoke: Chris Gallagher presenting methods which can be used to get beyond the impasse for the implementation of paid parking and recommending a method be determined to conduct a paid parking pilot program in certain areas of the City. Forrest Shaw indicating an unfair advantage will be given to other areas in the City if paid parking is only implemented in the Downtown and recommending the implementation of paid parking in minimal areas of the Downtown, Southside Village, and St. Armands Circle between the hours of 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. with the top floors of public parking garages being available at no cost to the customer. Peter Fanning requesting the CRA not adopt the position paper, indicating all stakeholders have not been privy to an actual implementation plan, the City is taking the position which does not promote an equitable distribution for the placement of paid parking throughout the City, and revenues should not be the primary emphasis of the proposed plan for the implementation of paid parking. A discussion concerning conducting a paid parking pilot program in a small area of the City, emphasizing the generation of revenues indicated in the position paper, incorporating the suggestions made by the D.I.D., the DSA, and the DSC into the position paper, conducting additional meetings to determine methods to manage paid parking, and determining a method to continue funding regulated parking. Member Turner stated that whether the economic decline which has currently subsided will resume is not known; that continuing the current conversation regarding paid parking at this time is not supported; that the economy must improve prior to the City's considering the implementation of paid parking. A discussion ensued concerning the depletion of the Parking Fund, methods to improve the balance of the Parking Fund, and the possible privatization of paid parking. Executive Director Bartolotta stated that the method to pay for regulated parking can be reconsidered during the Budget Workshops scheduled for July 2010 if the implementation of paid parking is not approved; that community meetings can be held prior to the Budget Workshops to obtain further public input; that the Commission must decide whether to have a self-sufficient Parking Fund or use ad valorem property taxes to help support the Parking Fund. In response to a question by Member Turner asking if the Parking Enforcement organizational structure can be reconfigured and Staff reduced, Mr. Bartolotta stated that Staff is considering reconfiguring the Parking Enforcement organizational structure and reducing Staff; that the privatization of code enforcement and the use of an automated license plate reading program have been previously considered to reduce the City's cost. Ms. Dodd stated that Parking Enforcement Staff has decreased to 6.3 people with 4.5 people in the field; that the loss of Staff directly impacts the revenues collected; that less revenues are collected when Staff decreases. In response to a question by Member Clapp asking if an increase in revenue was seen during the trial period for the automated license plate reading program, Ms. Dodd stated that an increase in the number of vehicles was seen; that using the license plate reading program to ticket vehicles is very efficient; however, the same number of vehicles to cover the areas of the City and the 20-minute routing are still necessary and tickets must still be written. A discussion ensued concerning the time savings with the use of an automated license plate reading program and the legality of mailing parking tickets to the registered vehicle owners. Mr. Bartolotta stated that Staff will attempt to hold two community meetings prior to the Budget Workshops; that a report of the community meetings will be presented during the Budget Workshops. Ms. Dodd requested CRA direction concerning whether Staff should attempt to obtain any specific information from the community meetings. Member Atwell stated that the hope is all stakeholders will participate in the community meetings; that a parking consultant should participate in the community meetings to have a more substantive conversation; that the D.I.D., DSA, and DSC responded to rather than participated in the creation of the position paper. In response to a question for clarification by Ms. Dodd asking if the CRA direction is for discussion at the community meetings is to discuss the concept of funding the regulated parking environment or to discuss what is paid parking, Member Clapp stated that the City must reach a larger group of people who are facing the same issues and alternatives as is the City; that Staff should attempt to obtain direction from the community as to whether the City should use ad valorem property taxes or implement a user fee. Member Turner stated that his recollection is Staff was not able to attract the attendance of voters to the 8 to 12 community meetings previously held to discuss the installation of parking meters. Mr. Bartolotta stated that a significant amount of Staff time is being utilized; therefore, Staff recommends taking a three- or four-month pause to allow Staff to identify all expenditures, explore alternatives to increase revenue, and present a report during the Budget Workshops scheduled for July 2010. Chair Kirschner stated that the fundamental discussion is a method to fund a successful and sustainable regulated parking environment, that Staff should forward any information to the various organizations as obtained to provide the organizations an opportunity to share information with its membership for BOOK 3 Page 31702 05/17/10 2:30 P.M. BOOK 3 Page 31703 05/17/10 2:30 P.M. discussion; that forwarding the information to the organizations as obtained will prevent any future surprises. Chair Kirschner noted CRA agreement to allow Staff to take a three- to four-month pause to identify all expenditures, explore alternatives to increase revenue, and present a report during the Budget Workshops scheduled for July 2010 as well as to forward information to organizations to share with its membership as obtained by Staff. 3. ADJOURN Chair Kirschner adjourned the meeting at 3:36 p.m. KELLY M. KIRSCHNER, CHAIR ATTEST: owee PAMELA M. NADALINI, SECRETARY