Title
Amended Parking Municipal Code Updates
Recommended Action
Committee Recommendation:
Not referred to a committee.
City Manager Recommendation:
Move to recommend amended parking ordinance updates and forward to City Council for consideration.
Report
Issue:
Whether to recommend proposed parking ordinance changes and amendments to full Council for consideration.
Staff Contact:
Max DeJarnatt, Parking Program Analyst, Community Planning & Development, 360.570.3723
Presenter(s):
Max DeJarnatt, Parking Program Analyst
Background and Analysis:
In August 2018, the Land Use and Environment Committee forwarded recommended updates to Olympia’s Municipal Code Title 10 to City Council for consideration. Since that time staff have made additional recommendations.
Among the August updates was a recommendation to increase residential parking permit fees. This item was subsequently removed from this round of ordinance updates, pending engagement with the South Capitol Neighborhood. This process will involve six to eight facilitated meetings with representatives of the neighborhood and the Department of Enterprise Services. Staff expects to have a recommendation for ordinance 10.16.055 in late summer/early fall.
Other significant amendments address how the City responds to unpaid citations. By lowering the cap of citations and number of days required before immobilizing and/or impounding, staff hope to prevent the accumulation of excessive fines. “Immobilization” now includes the use of a “Barnacle” (see attached link for video), which is simpler and safer to install than a “boot”, removable by the customer after payment, and can be impounded with the vehicle.
Finally, staff have changed language in the chapter to replace “parking meters” with “metered parking,” to allow for other payment devices (e.g. mobile payments).
A table listing ordinance changes, including highlighted amendments, is attached.
Neighborhood/Community Interests (if known):
South Capitol Neighborhood and City Staff are beginning process to address 10.16.055 and solutions to parking in that area. A 2015 survey of downtown businesses revealed that parking is a top concern for businesses and customers.
Options:
1. Move to forward the proposed OMC updates to City Council for consideration.
2. Alter the proposed OMC updates
3. Do not forward the proposed OMC updates to City Council for consideration.
Financial Impact:
N/A
Attachments:
Table of proposed ordinance changes and amendments
Link to Barnacle Immobilization Device Website