Title
Approval of Ordinance Amending Olympia Municipal Code 10.16, 10.20 and 10.44 Related to Parking
Recommended Action
Committee Recommendation:
The General Government Committee recommends the Council move to approve the ordinance amendments.
City Manager Recommendation:
Move to approve on second reading an ordinance amending Olympia Municipal Code (OMC) 10.16, 10.20 and 10.44 related to parking.
Report
Issue:
Whether to approve an ordinance amending OMC 10.16, 10.20 and 10.44.
Staff Contact:
Karen Kenneson, Business Manager, Community Planning and Development, 360.753.8277
Presenters:
Karen Kenneson, Business Manager, Community Planning and Development
Background and Analysis:
The background and analysis information has not changed from the first reading.
Administrative changes in the parking ordinance are needed as a result of the City changing the parking system in the downtown core from pay stations to credit/debit card meters in 2013. Another administrative change that has taken place since the last update is a City-wide reorganization in 2010 that resulted in Parking Services being moved from the Public Works Department to the Community Planning and Development Department.
Since these administrative changes are needed, we are taking this opportunity to recommend other changes that will address feedback from customers and enable Parking Services to more effectively manage downtown parking. Proposed changes are detailed in Attachment 1, and summarized in brief below.
· Residential program (10.16):
o Annual registration fee of $10, including the first vehicle (currently the fee applies only to the second and subsequent vehicles registered to an address which causes confusion among households with multiple residents and is administratively difficult to manage).
o Specify requirements for renters vs. homeowners.
o Add a penalty for existing requirement that vehicle must be moved once every five days which will allow Parking Services to address vehicles registered in the residential program that are inoperable or being stored long-term on City streets.
· City-owned parking lots (10.16):
o Clarify existing penalty is for non-permit holders.
o Add requirement for permit holders to move every 48 hours which will allow Parking Services to address permit holder vehicles abandoned or inoperable in City lots.
o Add that City-owned lots may only be used for parking unless an activity is authorized by a City-issued permit.
o Add no overnight camping in City lots.
· Authority to enforce state laws (10.20):
o Grant Parking Services authority to enforce RCW 46.55.085, abandoned vehicles in the right of way; work that was previously handled by City of Olympia Code Enforcement.
o Grant Parking Services authority to enforce RCW 46.08.185, electric vehicle charging stations as the City proposes piloting a public electric vehicle charging station next year.
· Vehicle service permits (10.44):
o Remove references to paper permits and replacement paper permits as the system is managed electronically now by license plate.
Neighborhood/Community Interests:
The amendments have been reviewed and are supported by the Olympia Municipal Court, Executive Office/Customer Care, and the Parking Committee (PBIA and ODA represented). If these amendments are approved staff will launch a communication effort to notify affected Residential Program permit and leased lot permit holders.
Options:
1. Move to approve on second reading the proposed amendments to OMC Section 10.16, 10.20 and 10.44.
2. Do not approve the revised ordinance.
Financial Impact:
Any impact to parking revenues as a result of approval of these proposed amendments is minimal.