MARKHAM PARKING ADVISORY COMMITTEE

MONDAY, JANUARY 25, 2010

CANADA ROOM, MARKHAM CIVIC CENTRE

MINUTES

____________________________________________________________________________

Attendance:

Members of Council:

Regional Councillor G. Landon

Regional Councillor J. Virgilio

Deputy Mayor J. Heath

Councillor A. Chiu

Regrets:

Regional Councillor J. Jones

Staff:

Alan Brown, Director of Engineering

Bill Wiles, Manager, By-law Enforcement and Licensing

Lorenzo Mele, Transportation Demand Management (TDM) Coordinator

Judy Kee, Committee Clerk

Consultants:

Ralph Bond, BA Group

The meeting was called to order at 3:05 p.m. with Regional Councillor G. Landon presiding as Chair. Regional Councillor J. Virgilio assumed the Chair at 3:20 p.m.

1. MINUTES OF DECEMBER 18, 2009

PARKING ADVISORY COMMITTEE MEETING

Moved by Deputy Mayor J. Heath

Seconded by Councillor A. Chiu

That the minutes of the December 18, 2009 Parking Advisory Committee meeting be approved.

CARRIED

2. PAY & DISPLAY PROGRAM – UPDATE

South Town Centre Blvd. – Rate and Time Stay Setting

Mr. Lorenzo Mele, TDM Coordinator, reported on the status of the Pay and Display Program on South Town Centre Blvd., and reviewed the rate and time stay setting. Members agreed that $1.00 per hour with a three-hour parking maximum during the hours of 10:00am to 4:00pm, and from 6:00pm to 9:00pm. would be appropriate at this location to serve the retail businesses until the VIVA routes are finalized. There was some discussion regarding parking restrictions during rush hour periods of 7:00AM to 10:00AM and 4:00PM to 6:00PM.

Committee raised the matter of the installation of “parking (indented) bays” and staff advised that these will not be resolved until the rapid transit line has been confirmed. Members asked that staff provide details of the traffic and bus lanes cross-section when presented to Development Services Committee.

Moved by Deputy Mayor J. Heath

Seconded by Councillor A. Chiu

That the information presented by the TDM Coordinator regarding the pay and display program on South Town Centre Blvd. be received.

CARRIED

Bentley Street, Amber Street and McPherson Street Parking

The TDM Coordinator reported that the parking issues on Bentley, Amber and McPherson Streets are still being reviewed by staff. Committee will be kept apprised of the situation.

3. PARKING RESTRICTIONS

Complaint Concerning 3 HR Parking Maximum on Markham

Roadways Where Parking is Permitted

The TDM Coordinator advised that a complaint had been received from Mr. Peter MacLeod, Thornhill, expressing concern that the Town does not have a by-law in place to govern a three-hour maximum stay on roads where parking is permitted. With respect to Mr. MacLeod’s specific area of concern, transit riders are parking their vehicles and using the rapid transit to avoid paying the double fare. Currently, parking is permitted from 6:00 a.m. to 2:30 a.m. the next day.

Members suggested that staff consider instituting a three-hour maximum only in specific areas, rather than across the Town. Reference was also made to the Markham Stouffville Hospital situation where parking permits are required, and it was suggested that staff also consider this as a possible solution.

Mr. Alan Brown, Director of Engineering, advised that staff will look at various options and report back to Committee.

4. PARKING MANAGEMENT GOVERNANCE

The TDM Coordinator delivered a presentation detailing two (2) governance options which the committee at their December 18, 2009 requested be prepared and that Senior Staff recommend could be workable to address Markham’s parking management requirements.

a) Establish a Town-Wide Parking Authority as a “municipal business corporation” (example: City of Winnipeg, Manitoba)

The following points and comments were raised regarding this option:

· May be more efficient that a city department; alleviates responsibility from the municipality

· This would get off the ground more quickly

· More opportunities are available to increase parking lots

· Self-generation of revenues and cash in lieu of taxes is benefit

· A parking authority should generate revenues that would cover the payment of taxes

In response to whether there are parking authorities in smaller suburban communities; Members were advised that authorities in Canada are limited to Winnipeg, Calgary, Toronto, Vancouver, St. John, New Brunswick, and Thunder Bay. Staff offered to update the research that was carried out in 2007 regarding how these municipalities organize the parking authorities.

Committee posed the question as to why the Town would establish a parking authority. Would it be for traffic control or revenue generation? It was pointed out that the Town of Markham is a car-driven municipality and it would be more appropriate to tie parking into Transportation Demand Management.

b) Maintain the Parking Advisory Committee including private sector/BIA representation and reporting to Council, and establish sub-committees or Parking Districts for specific areas (examples: Burlington, Kingston, and North Bay)

The following points and comments were raised regarding this option:

· Only Council can approve expansion of the paid parking program; initial capital investment required; net revenues could be reinvested in the local district;

· Mandate of such committees is to provide parking for downtown business areas;

· Concern that there are no TDM objectives associated with this option

· the parking solution for Main Street Unionville would not be the solution for other areas, such as Yonge Street and Langstaff

· Town shares same issues as the Region of York; action taken by Town may conflict with direction/action of Region of York (upper tier vs. lower tier)

· Concern expressed regarding additional parking lots for VIVA and GO, and the Town’s inability to control the use of some of the lands

Subsequent to the presentation, there was considerable discussion regarding both options. Members generally agreed that the Committee must come forward to Council with a definitive solution with concrete ideas and recommendations, and it was suggested that Option 1, a Town-wide Parking Authority be established. Some concern was expressed that it may be premature to establish a Parking Authority at this time; however, it would be acceptable if the main rationale was for transportation demand management rather than revenue. It was noted that Markham does not have a serious parking problem as only a few streets require parking metres.

The following related issues were raised:

· Funds would have to be in the Budget for 2011; approximately $100 - $200,000; and possibly for the next five (5) years

· Concern expressed related to possible action of Region of York unless we establish a body that has strength

· Solutions required for major streets, not local streets

· Consideration should also be given to ratios and parking structures; Town needs to identify areas and dedicate land

· Research indicates that some other municipalities have dissolved their Parking Authorities due to continued need for funding

Moved by Deputy Mayor J. Heath

Seconded by Councillor A. Chiu

That the Parking Advisory Committee recommends that the Town follow a Parking Authority model;

And that staff be requested to report back to Committee with detailed information on how a Parking Authority would be implemented.

CARRIED

5. PARKING STRATEGY - NEXT STEPS

Committee directed that a further meeting was required, at which time staff would present a detailed report regarding the implementation of a Parking Authority with specific recommendations to be discussed further.

Staff was requested to include the following in the report to Committee:

- rationale and strategy; reasons for a parking authority

- details of how a parking authority would operate; mandate and functions

- ways and means to implement it; timing – possibly 2011 start up

- powers, mandate and responsibilities to be determined; financing; self-sustaining

- Composition; i.e. including representation from Council; public involvement, BIA; other stakeholders

- include Transportation Demand Management

- Governance; delegation of items from Council to Parking Authority; by-law to be prepared

- Requirements, if any, for public consultation

Staff advised that the Town’s Legal staff will be consulted with respect to the “incorporation” of such a body, and that the report will also include any necessary amendments to the draft Business Plan

6. NEXT MEETING

Committee directed that the next meeting of the Parking Advisory Committee be scheduled for mid to late February 2010, if possible, and that the parking strategy including parking management governance be presented to Development Services Committee at its meeting on March 2, 2010. The Clerk will advise all Members of Committee, staff and consultants once the date is confirmed.

ADJOURNMENT

Moved by Councillor A. Chiu

Seconded by Regional Councillor G. Landon

That the meeting of the Parking Advisory Committee be adjourned. (4:30 p.m.)

CARRIED