MARKHAM PARKING ADVISORY COMMITTEE

 

TUESDAY, JUNE 10, 2008

CANADA ROOM, MARKHAM CIVIC CENTRE

 

MINUTES

____________________________________________________________________________

 

Attendance:

Regional Councillor T. Wong

Regional Councillor G. Landon

Deputy Mayor J. Heath

Councillor J. Virgilio

Councillor A. Chiu

 

Regrets:

Mayor F. Scarpitti

Regional Councillor J. Jones

 

Guests:

Mr. Ralph Bond, B. A. Group

Ms. Reachel O. Knight, B. A. Group

 

Staff

A. Brown, Director, Engineering

M. West, Manager, Strategic Initiatives

B. Wiles, Manager, Enforcement and Licensing

V. Siu, Senior Business Analyst

L. Mele, Transportation Demand Management Coordinator

J. Kee, Committee Clerk

 

 

The Markham Parking Advisory Committee convened at the hour of 1:10 p.m. with Councillor

J. Virgilio in the Chair.

 

 

1.         MINUTES OF THE MARKHAM PARKING ADVISORY COMMITTEE

            MEETINGS HELD ON MARCH 25, AND APRIL 11, 2008

 

Moved by Councillor A. Chiu

Seconded by Deputy Mayor J. Heath

 

 

That the minutes of the Markham Parking Advisory Committee meetings held on March 25 and April 11, 2008 be adopted.

CARRIED

 

 

2.                  PARKING MANAGEMENT BUSINESS PLAN

 

Mr. Ralph Bond, Consultant with The B. A. Group, reported that an “Existing Conditions Report” is being prepared of all of the existing parking in Markham, including Markham Centre, proposed parking locations and operational costs.  Information will also include revenues and expenditures for the existing Pay and Display program. 

 

Discussion on the Report included commentary on: the challenge to find buried costs; potential expansion opportunities; placement of pay and display machines for visitor parking at the Civic Centre.  It was suggested that when potential locations are being considered for the installation of pay parking machines, that staff meet with adjacent building owners/developers to advise of the Town’s plans.  

 

Members expressed concern that the process to date has been quite slow, and suggested that the Plan be accelerated if possible, so that a report can be presented to Council in the early fall, and the Plan in place by January of 2009.  Following some discussion, it was agreed that a meeting would be scheduled for mid to late July, (not July 24th) at which time, the draft report will be presented by the Consultant. 

 

Committee requested that the Report be comprehensive and include: consideration of parking at the community centres; Bur Oak Avenue; the Markham Civic Centre; the new community centre in Cornell, due to its proximity to the Markham Stouffville Hospital; options and proposed schedules for stakeholder consultations, including residents, BIA’s, building owners and managers; institutions; the Town’s cultural venues: Markham Theatre; Varley Art Gallery, and Markham Museum;

 

Staff was requested to review the parking situation in the area of the Crystal Fountain Banquet Hall and the recently opened Markham Entertainment Centre because of recent overflow parking on the streets.

 

 

3.         PAY AND DISPLAY PROGRAM UPDATE

 

a) Revenue Update

 

Ms. Veronica Siu, Senior Business Analyst, presented an update on Paid Parking Revenues, including revenue from the meters and from paid parking fines.  Mr. Lorenzo Mele, Transportation Demand Management Coordinator, noted that based on projections, there will be a 50% increase over 2007.

 

 

In response to a query respecting the poor revenues from meters on Frontenac Drive and Acadia Avenue, it was suggested that criteria should be developed for evaluating/determining the length of time a meter is in place.

 

It was also noted that staff must be cognizant of what is going on in an area where meters are placed.

 

Members discussed other parking programs in operation at Seneca College and in the City of Mississauga

 

 

b) Program Expansion Update

 

Mr. Mele, Transportation Demand Management Coordinator, advised that staff is preparing a report for Council’s consideration in September regarding pay and display on-street parking on Y.M.C.A. Blvd.  Committee asked if staff could bring the report and by-law forward sooner, and following some discussion, staff was directed to place it on the agenda of the June 17th Development Services Committee meeting.

 

Staff noted that Council has passed the by-law for Clegg Road; the pad is being installed; and a machine has been assigned.

 

It was suggested that it may be valuable if staff met with the owners of the office and condominium buildings in the surrounding area of Clegg Road to advise them of the Town’s plans to install pay and display machines, and to also discuss the feasibility of establishing partnerships regarding parking other challenges. 

 

Ms. Reachel O. Knight, Consultant, The B. A. Group, provided information relating to the installation ratio of parking machines and the number of parking spaces, noting that one machine can be installed for every 5-10 spaces, depending on the duration of stay and the local area’s situation.

 

It was noted that expansion plans for the program are limited due to the Budget, and it was suggested that the existing program should be reviewed and steps taken for improvement prior to submitting requests for additional funds in 2009.  Mr. Mele added that the “philosophy” or “mandate” of the parking program is to support regular transit investments and also support travel demand management.  He pointed out that the program was designed to be “revenue neutral” and that any profit could be re-invested into the program.

 

Other matters discussed, included: Region of York’s YRT/VIVA; employee transit pass usage; Town staff parking, and student parking at Civic Centre; and the use of credit card machines.

 

 

 

 

 

4.         GTA PARKING OPERATIONS TOUR - RECAP

 

Mr. Mele, Transportation Demand Management Coordinator, reviewed the highlights of the GTA Parking Operations Tour that took place on Thursday, May 8th for Members of Committee and staff.  The purpose of the tour had been to discuss best practice experiences related to the introduction of paid parking in various locations and to visit parking management facilities at destination retail and quasi big box development.  Stops on the tour included: Beaches area; Queen Street and Woodbine Avenue; Leslie Street and Lakeshore Boulevard; and the Distillery District.

 

 

5.         PRESTO CARD – PARKING SERVICES STAKEHOLDER WORKSHOP

 

Mr. Lorenzo Mele, Transportation Demand Management Coordinator, distributed material regarding a Parking Services Stakeholder Workshop held on May 29th by the Ministry of Transportation GTA Fare System Project Office on the status of the Presto Project.  Mr. Mele advised that the Presto Card project consists of a contactless smart card which has been developed and implemented for the purpose of paying transit fares across the GTA.

 

Currently, the card is being used on select Mississauga Transit, GO Transit, and TTC transit routes.  A consultant firm is assessing the program and the viability of expanding its use to include the Toronto core and 905 areas, and possibly to the “parking environment”.  Mr. Mele will keep Members informed of the status of the Project.

 

 

6.         DRAFT 2009 CAPITAL BUDGET

 

The 2009 Capital Budget was deferred to the July meeting.

 

 

7.         DATE OF NEXT MEETING

 

It was agreed that a meeting would be held in mid to late July to receive copies of the Consultants’ draft report.  Once the date has been arranged, Members will be advised.

 

 

ADJOURNMENT

 

Moved by Councillor A. Chiu

Seconded by Deputy Mayor J. Heath

 

That the Parking Advisory Committee meeting adjourn. (2:20 p.m.)

 

CARRIED