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| PARKING AUTHORITY MINUTES |
CITY OF
PARKING AUTHORITY
REGULAR MEETING
OCTOBER 22, 2008
ATTENDANCE: John Federici, Vice Chairman
Julius
Hayward
Burt Shatz
STAFF: Kathryn Hebert, Administrative
Services Manager
Hal Alvord, Public Works Director
Brian
Sweeney, Public Works Structural Engineer
Dilene Byrd, Secretary
OTHERS: Frank DelMonaco, LAZ Parking
Rob Cavello
Munro Johnson, Senior
Development Project Manager, Redevelopment Agcy.
Timothy Sheehan,
Executive Director, Redevelopment Agency
Ken Olson, POKO
Development
Simon Gershon, POKO
Development
Peter Coughlan,
Resident,
Maria Lopez, Resident,
Ann Austin, Resident ,
Carl Generoso, Resident,
Tony Lopez, Resident,
CALL
TO ORDER
Vice
Chairman Federici called the meeting to order at 6:30PM
1.
APPROVE
THE MINUTES FROM THE PARKING AUTHORITY MEETING HELD ON WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 22,
2008.
Mr. Federici said on Page 4, Item 7,
Line 8, to remove “at”
Mr. Federici said on Page 2, Item 2,
Line 4, to add “we”
** MR. HAYWARD MOVED TO
APPROVE THE MINUTES WITH CORRECTIONS
** MOTION PASSED
UNANIMOUSLY
2.
AUTHORIZE THE CHAIRMAN OR
THE VICE CHAIRMAN OF THE PARKING AUTHORITY TO EXECUTE AN AMENDMENT TO THE
AGREEMENT WITH LAZ PARKING LTD., TO EXTEND THE EXISTING AGREEMENT FOR 6 MONTHS
THROUGH JUNE 30, 2009.
ACCOUNT
NO. OPERATING BUDGET
Ms.
Hebert said she is requesting that the Board authorize to extent LAZ’s contract
for 6 months. She said that the Common Council, through the Finance Committee hired
Walker Consultants to perform a performance audit of the Parking Authority’s operation and
the audit is scheduled to be completed by the end of the year and would prefer
to have the audit in place prior to developing the request for proposal. Ms. Hebert is working closely with Tom
Hamilton, Finance Director to coordinate the audit.
** MR. HAYWARD MOVED TO
APPROVE THE ITEM
** MOTION PASSED
UNANIMOUSLY
3.
APPROVE THE TEMPORARY
PARKING PLAN FOR THE ISAACS STREET PARKING LOT AS PRESENTED TO POKO AND THE
REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY.
Ms.
Johnson said that there will be approximately 250 total parking spaces in the
overall development which will include 100 surface spaces and 150 above ground
spaces. Mr. Federici asked how this would impact the Garden Cinema. Mr. Johnson
said leading up to this he had performed approximately 100 surveys of the
parking lot to determine usage across all different times of the day and all
different days of the week and the average number of cars in the lots were
approximately 66, and at peaks times increased to approximately 100 for both of
the lots. He said by providing over 100 parking spaces on site throughout the
building period should accommodate peak usage and in the event it does not, the
Yankee Doodle Garage has over 400 spaces which are only utilized at peak by
approximately 50%. Mr. Federici asked about the status of the Fairfield County
Saving Bank. Ms. Hebert said that their lease has expired and it will be up to
them to negotiate a lease with POKO. Mr. Federici said that public outreach
will be extremely important. Mr. Johnson said that brochures have been printed
and he has been working with Ms. Hebert and they will be distributing the
brochures to all permit holders, and businesses that utilize the lot. Mr. Shatz
asked if the residential facilities would be the first to be constructed. Mr.
Johnson said each building will be a mixed use building and will be built
together but in 3 phases. Mr. Hayward asked if after construction has been
completed if the parking spaces will still be under the privy of the Parking
Authority. Ms. Hebert said “no” and that once the transference of ownership
goes to POKO, the lots will become private and will be operated that way. Mr.
Hayward asked if the current parking rates could change. Ms. Hebert said “yes”.
Mr. Federici asked how long it would take to complete all 3 phases. Mr. Johnson
said the agreement between the City and the redeveloper allows 36 months for
each phase. Mr. Johnson requested that the language be changed to “approves”
rather that “authorize”.
** MR. SHATZ MOVED TO
APPROVE THE ITEM
** MOTION PASSED
UNANIMOUSLY
4.
AUTHORIZE THE CHAIRMAN OR
VICE CHAIRMAN OF THE PARKING AUTHORITY TO EXECUTE A JOINT AGREEMENT WITH THE REDEVELOPMENT
AGENCY WITH
ACCOUNT
NO. OPERATING BUDGET
Ms.
Hebert said that the Parking Authority will assume 1/3 of the cost of the
economic analysis. Mr. Sheehan said that the parking rates need to be looked at
from a current market prospective and as new projects are coming forward both
in the Wall Street and West Avenue areas there needs to be a better analysis,
and it needs to be determined on how the other parking structures need to be
looked at from a pricing perspective. He said that the Parking Authority ultimately
needs to be looking at a district wide pricing level and to have the
understanding of what the pricing level needs to be based upon. Mr. Shatz asked
if that would mean different parking rates in different parts of the City. Mr.
Sheehan said different areas of the City have different demands, and there may
be a difference in pricing structure. He said the issue is to try and bring the
garages into a common area in terms of pricing, and with the understanding that
certain areas don’t have the traffic generation to warrant a price that is way
beyond the market, and that it needs to be understood that the market issues
associated with it as well as the development costs that are associated with
new construction. Mr. Alvord said that there is currently not a consistent
market rate structure in
** VICE CHAIRMAN FEDERICI
MOVED TO APPROVE THE ITEM
** MOTION PASSED
UNANIMOUSLY
5.
AUTHORIZE THE DIRECTOR OF
PUBLIC WORKS TO ISSUE ORDERS ON CONTRACT TO RAM CONSTRUCTION SERVICES, FOR
PROJECT NO. PJG-3,
ACCOUNT NO. 0908 5777 4021
C0354
Mr.
Sweeney said in the process of doing the concrete removal and subsequent
testing of the existing concrete it was determined that a 5’ X 60’ area at the
expansion joint had to be completely removed and new anchors had to be set. Mr.
Shatz asked if any of the tendons were found to be damaged. Mr. Sweeney said
“yes’ approximately 50. Mr. Federici asked if this will cause a delay in the
completion of the project. Mr. Sweeney said prior to this they were ahead of
schedule and weather permitting should be completed within the 120 days.
** MR. HAYWARD MOVED TO
APPROVE THE ITEM
** MOTION PASSED
UNANIMOUSLY
6.
AUTHORIZE THE DIRECTOR OF
PUBLIC WORKS TO PURCHASE PARKING LEVEL COUNT AND SIGN CONTROL EQUIPMENT AT THE
ACCOUNT
NO. 0906 4095 5777 C0357
Mr.
DelMonaco said due to the design of the South Norwalk Railroad Station facility
it creates a 1 way traffic flow and is difficult to know where there are
parking spaces available. He said this system will allow a tower sign indicator
to be placed before the up helix which will provide a per level capacity
indicator to parkers as they enter the facility. He said in conversations with
customers that both he and Ms. Hebert have had, find this to be a consistent
complaint and also feel this would be a nice customer Service enhancement.
** VICE CHAIRMAN FEDERICI
MOVED TO APPROVE THE ITEM
** MOTION PASSED
UNANIMOUSLY
7.
AUTHORIZE THE DIRECTOR OF
PUBLIC WORKS TO PURCHASE FROM NISCAYAH (SECURITAS SECURITY) VIDEO SURVEILLANCE
MONITORING CONNECTING THROUGH THE CITY OF
ACCOUNT NO. 0906 4095 5777
C0356/357
Ms.
DelMonaco said this is for the work in connecting the video cameras that are at
the South Norwalk Railroad Station, Yankee Doodle Garage, the Maritime Garage
and eventually the Haviland Deck. He said this will take all the video feed and
get it back to the South Norwalk Railroad Station. He said this will allow the
use of the City’s current fiber network which will allow a much better video
stream rather than wirelessly or over a DSL line. He said that once this is all
tied in to the South Norwalk Railroad Station which is staffed 24 hours a day,
7 days a week they will be able to view every camera and it will also have the
ability to shadow that and have the same views at the Maritime Garage’s
customer service office and those views will be more concentrated on the
parking lanes in the event that someone has an issue it will be more
efficiently addressed then what is currently being done.
** MR. SHATZ MOVED TO
APPROVE THE ITEM
** MOTION PASSED
UNANIMOUSLY
8.
MONTHLY FINANCIAL REPORT
Mr.
Shatz asked if there has been a drop in demand due to the current economic
state. Ms. Hebert said “yes” in certain locations but said that the net fund
balance through the end of September is $224,000.
9.
MONTHLY OPERATION REPORT
Mr.
DelMonaco said that the demands at the Maritime Garage continue to decline and
that the demands at the Webster Street Lot are below where they were 3 years
ago. He said that the North Water Lot demands continue to increase and that on
street revenue continues to be well above where it was in previous fiscal
years. He said that the pilot meters will be placed on
Mr.
DelMonaco said that he has been working with the Health Department to offer flu
shots at both of the train stations. Ms. Hebert said that they will be offered
in the evening from 5:00 PM until 8:00PM on November 13, 2008.
Mr.
DelMonaco said that 80% of the new lighting has been installed at the Maritime
Garage and has made an enormous difference. Ms. Hebert said once the repairs
are completed at the Haviland Deck, the new lights will also be installed
there.
10.
CAPITAL PROJECTS
Mr.
Cavello said that the interior demolitions are substantially complete on the
eastbound side of the South Norwalk Rail Road Station and that the interior
painting is approximately 90% complete. He said that the new ceramic flooring
is approximately 50% completed and that the new signs are expected to arrive
this week. He said that the new lighting arrived today and that the only
outstanding item that may not be completed until the mid to end of November is
the doors which was due to a long lead time. Mr. Alvord asked if any
landscaping would be done. Mr. DelMonaco said that Mr. Glover had wanted to
sponsor the landscaping. Ms. Hebert said that she would contact him in the
spring. Mr. Cavello said that the first section of seating was installed and a
portion of the rail seating was manufactured incorrectly and is now expected to
arrive at the end of October. He said that new toilet room fixtures are being
reviewed. Ms. Hebert said that new fixtures will be installed on both the east
and west bound sides. Mr. Hayward asked if the Parking Authority is doing
anything to help the SONO Café in regards to parking. Ms. Hebert said that
their customers will have to park in the facility. Mr. DelMonaco reminded the
members that there is an hourly rate structure after 5:00PM.
Mr.
Cavello said that the doors had arrived on October 13, 2008, for the westbound
side of the South Norwalk Railroad Station and the installation has begun but
are having a problem with the existing diamond plate due to it being warped and
rusted, and after further review the contractor is going to replace that and he
provided a price today of $5,265.00. He said that the stair painting and clean
up will be completed when the doors are installed.
Mr.
Cavello said that the full depth repairs are in progress and during the concrete
removal process and subsequent testing of the existing concrete, it was
determined that a 5’X60’ area at the expansion joint had to be removed
completely and re-stressed. He said the entire segment, had to be shored from
below to perform this work. He said that the painting of the railings and pole
is in progress and in approximately 65% complete and that the new water
proofing traffic membrane work is scheduled to commence on October 31, 2008, on
the north side of the travel lane and is weather permitting.
Mr.
Cavello said that the repair work at the Yankee Doodle Garage commenced on
October 6, 2008, and some areas had to be blocked off to perform the work. He
said that approximately 1,100 square feet of partial depth concrete was
removed. He said that corroded conduit was identified and will be replaced next
week when the concrete is being replaced.
Mr.
Cavello said that all the furnishings are in place and the final data and
telephone wiring are near completion. He said that the new security system has
been installed and that the Certificate of Occupancy was issued on October 21,
2008.
11.
OPERATING BUDGET FISCAL
YEAR 2009-10
Ms.
Hebert distributed a draft copy of the budget for fiscal year 2009-10, and said
if anyone on the Board had any questions or comments to e-mail or call her
prior to the November meeting. She said she would like to schedule the Public
Hearing in December because the budget needs to be presented to the Finance
Director in January, 2009.
12.
NEW BUSINESS
Mr.
Coughlan of the SONO Garden Condominium said that up until August of 2008, that
the residents had permits to park on Madison and Monroe streets because each
resident only has 1 assigned parking space. He said that they currently have a
plan to expand the parking lot and once that plan is in effect each resident
will have 2 assigned parking spaces. He said that they are requesting to get
the parking permits back so that the residents do not receive parking tickets.
Mr. Federici asked if there was a time schedule for the expansion. Mr. Coughlan
said they are currently trying to obtain funding to start the project and that
he spoke with Mr. Carney of the Redevelopment Agency, and the plan is close to
being approved. Mr. Federici said that a meeting will be scheduled with staff
to come up with an agreement which will come back to the Parking Authority for
approval. Ms. Lopez asked which meeting this will be on the agenda for. Mr.
Federici said it will be on the agenda for the November meeting.
Ms.
Hebert distributed the Handicapped Parking Resolution. Mr. Alvord said that the
handicapped plates and stickers are issued to a vehicle specific person. He
said that the person does not necessarily have to be the driver but can only
park in a handicapped space when the owner of the handicapped sticker is being
transported, or it is not legal to park in a handicapped space. Ms. Hebert said
this resolution mimics what the State Statute reads and is exactly the way the
Department of Motor Vehicle’s rules and regulations reads.
** VICE CHAIRMAN FEDERICI
MOVED TO ADOPT THE HANDICAPPED RESOLUTION AS READ
** MOTION PASSED
UNANIMOUSLY
Ms. Hebert said that the December meeting is
scheduled for December 17, 2008, and is a conflict for some people. After
further discussion it was decided to hold the December Parking Authority
meeting on Monday, December 22, 2008.
13. ACTION ON ANY ITEM DISCUSSED HEREIN
No discussion.
14.
ADJOURNMENT
** VICE
CHAIRMAN FEDERICI MOVED TO ADJOURN
** MOTION
PASSED UNANIMOUSLY
The meeting adjourned at 7:55PM
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