MARKHAM PARKING ADVISORY COMMITTEE

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 2, 2007

CANADA ROOM, MARKHAM CIVIC CENTRE

MINUTES

_______________________________________________________________________________

Attendance:

Regional Councillor J. Jones

Regional Councillor T. Wong (12:55 p.m.)

Regional Councillor G. Landon

Councillor J. Virgilio (12:40 p.m.)

Councillor A. Chiu

Staff

A. Brown, Director, Engineering

S. Saiyed, Manager, Transportation/Engineering

M. West, Manager, Strategic Initiatives

B. Wiles, Manager, Enforcement and Licensing

M. Visser, Manager of Strategy, Innovation and Investments

L. Mele, Transportation Demand Management Coordinator

J. Kee, Committee Clerk

The Markham Parking Advisory Committee convened at the hour of 12:35 p.m. with Regional Councillor Gordon Landon acting as Chair. Councillor Joe Virgilio assumed the Chair at 12:40 p.m.

1.         MINUTES OF THE MARKHAM PARKING ADVISORY COMMITTEE

MEETINGS HELD ON JULY 30, 2007 AND SEPTEMBER 4, 2007

Moved by Councillor A. Chiu

Seconded by Regional Councillor T. Wong

That the minutes of the Markham Parking Advisory Committee meeting held on July 30 and September 4, 2007 be adopted.

CARRIED

2.         CORRESPONDENCE – Parking on Cox Blvd

Mr. Lorenzo Mele, Transportation Demand Management Coordinator, provided an update on the pay and display parking program on Cox Boulevard, noting that staff had met with the business owners and they are in general agreement with the revised recommendation being considered by Committee this date.

Mr. Tony Lee, business owner on Cox Boulevard, was in attendance, in support of the pay parking program, and queried when the credit card machines would be installed, and staff advised that November is the target month.

Staff was requested to ensure that the pay and display machines will be accessible to disabled persons.

Committee queried the reasoning for the pay parking program on Cox Boulevard, and staff explained the results of the Parking Study that had been carried out which identified Markham Centre and some other areas for pay parking to encourage parking turnover.  It was noted that people would park all day long if meters were not installed, making it difficult for local short term customers to park.  The matter of installing pay parking in areas, such as Main Street Markham, Main Street Unionville, and Yonge Street was raised.

Members agreed that staff should move forward with the revised resolution, and if there are concerns within the next six-eight months they will be addressed at that time.

Dr. Raymond Wu, business owner on Cox Boulevard, was in attendance, in support of the pay parking program on Cox Boulevard.  He expressed some concern with respect to its use in the winter months, and the limited number of ticket dispensers on the street, requiring customers to walk a long distance.  He suggested that the hours be reduced and that Sundays be free.

Staff will review the suggestions presented this date as part of the study on a go forward basis.

Moved by Councillor A. Chiu

Seconded by Regional Councillor J. Jones

That the deputations of Mr. Tony Lee and Dr. Raymond Wu, business owners on Cox Boulevard, with respect to the pay and display parking program on Cox Boulevard, be received.

CARRIED

Moved by Regional Councillor J. Jones

Seconded by Councillor A. Chiu

That the following revised recommendation regarding the Pay and Display Parking Program on Cox Boulevard be adopted:

•         Maintain pay and display program and include this area in the ‘credit card’ reader pilot program

•          Increase maximum parking time from 2 hrs. to 3 hrs. to accommodate resident requirements, i.e. dinner guests, visitors, etc.

•          Improve signage to avoid confusion concerning motorists requirements to pay for parking

•          Investigate the feasibility of installing two on-street handicap parking spaces directly in front of the Doctors offices (8 and 10 Cox Blvd.)

•          Install an additional pay and display machine in the area (location TBD)

•          Confirm with bylaw enforcement that a 5 minute grace period be provided to accommodate customer needs prior to issuance of a parking violation

•          costs to reprogram machines to accommodate recommended changes approx. $1,000.

CARRIED

3.         PAY AND DISPLAY PARKING PROGRAM

a)         Financial Update

Ms. Meg West, Manager Strategic Initiatives provided a financial update on the Pay and Display Parking Program:

Annual Operating Expenses                  $20,453

Annual Revenues                                  $12,677

Annual Operating Profit/(loss)   ($ 7,776)

Committee discussed issues, including: changing the collection system; the relocation of machines; illegal use of more than one parking space for large vehicles; and the breakdown of this financial information by specific area.  Staff provided a brief itemization of the specific areas, and was requested to clarify if this financial information can be released to the public, and report back to Members of Committee.

b)         Credit Card Application Pilot Program

Mr. Lorenzo Mele presented the terms of reference for a pilot project to examine the introduction of ‘credit card’ payment feature on all existing pay and display units.  He reviewed the scope of work, and the proposed locations for the machines, and advised that they will be tracked and monitored.

Moved by Regional Councillor J. Jones

Seconded by Regional Councillor T. Wong

That staff be authorized to proceed with the pilot project to examine the introduction of a credit card payment feature on all existing pay and display parking units;

And that staff continue negotiations with Precise Parklink regarding the contract and report back to Committee on the recommended proposal.

CARRIED

4.         PARKING STRATEGY ‘Moving Forward’

REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS REVIEW, AND

PARKING ADVISORY COMMITTEE BUSINESS PLAN

Mr. Lorenzo Mele, Transportation Demand Management Coordinator, reviewed the Parking Management Approach Rationale and the Business Plan Overview for the Parking Advisory Committee, and associated Time Line.  Members had before them a copy of the proposed RFP for a consultant to advance the Town’s parking management strategy.

The following matters were discussed:

·        determine appropriate rationale for pay parking in Markham?

·        is purpose to raise revenues, or to control parking in Town through transportation demand management principles

·        we must demonstrate the need and provide a business case

·        importance of including the BIA’s in the stakeholder consultations

·        study should provide determining factors for a business venture

·        staff requested to provide models from other municipalities

·        parking garages, and TIF’s (Tax Increment Financing)

·        feasibility of a future “Markham Parking Authority”

·        parking has been reviewed to date in relation to land use

·        feasibility of partnering with GO to satisfy our local transit needs

Members were advised that two studies are being proposed with respect to policies, processes and business plans:

- Transportation Strategic Plan – 10-20 year plan & long term vision

- Town-wide Parking Management 3 year Business Plan

Committee suggested that the scope of study should not be limited to a short term strategy, but that it should be expanded to look at both on and off-street parking in the long term. The long term future of parking in Markham must be considered.

In response to Members’ comments this date, staff will come back to Committee with detailed information that will clearly articulate what is going to be delivered in the long term with respect to both components, including specific time frames.

Moved by Regional Councillor T. Wong

Seconded by Regional Councillor J. Jones

That the Request for Proposal for a consultant to advance the Town’s parking management strategy be deferred;

And that staff be requested to report back to Committee with detailed information that will clearly articulate what is going to be delivered in both the short and long term, including specific time frames, with respect to the scope of the Transportation Strategic Plan, and the Town-wide Parking Management Strategy.

CARRIED

5.         CANADIAN PARKING ASSOCIATION (CPA) – Membership

Moved by Regional Councillor J. Jones

Seconded by Councillor A. Chiu

That approval be granted to purchase full membership for the Town of Markham in the Canadian Parking Association (CPA) for one year in the amount of $503.50.

CARRIED

6.         DATE OF NEXT MEETING

Committee suggested that the next meeting of Committee begin at 1:00 p.m. rather than 12:30 p.m., and after a brief discussion, it was agreed that the next meeting of Committee would be scheduled for:

Tuesday, November 13, 2007 at 1:00 p.m. in the Canada Room.

Note:    Subsequent to this meeting, the November 13 meeting date was cancelled, and re-

scheduled to November 19, 2007.

ADJOURNMENT

Moved by Councillor A. Chiu

Seconded by Regional Councillor T. Wong

That the Parking Advisory Committee meeting adjourn. (1:55 p.m.)