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HomeMy WebLinkAboutagenda.council.worksession.20180402 CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION April 02, 2018 5:00 PM, City Council Chambers MEETING AGENDA I. Parking Rates & Code Changes II. RFTA: possible ballot questions P1 1 MEMORANDUM TO: Mayor and City Council FROM: Mitch Osur, Director of Parking and Downtown Services THRU: R. Barry Crook, Assistant City Manager DATE OF MEMO: March 26. 2018 MEETING DATE: April 2, 2018 RE: Performance Pricing REQUEST OF COUNCIL: The City of Aspen Parking Services Department requests Aspen City Council to approve a 4 month test in 2018 (June, July, August, September) for the next step in Performance Pricing in the Downtown Core in Aspen. This would require a change to the fee ordinance for parking rates that includes: · Free 15 · Parking pricing to vary by time of day · Flat hourly rates · Off Season and Peak Season Pricing PREVIOUS COUNCIL ACTION: On April 11, 2016 the Aspen City Council approved a 3 month test of Demand-Responsive Parking Pricing to keep the downtown core parking space occupancy at no more than 90% and to encourage alternative forms of transportation. The changes included: · Keeping the current prices for April, May, September, October and November. · 50% higher fees in January, February, March, June, July, August and December. · Maintain availability of current low-cost parking options On August 1, 2016 the Aspen City Council approved the continuation of the Demand- Responsive Parking Prices until further notice. BACKGROUND: The City of Aspen Parking Services Department introduced Demand- Responsive Parking Pricing to help reduce car traffic and congestion in the core of Aspen during the busy times. The overall goal of the pricing was four-fold: 1. To reduce car traffic coming into Aspen each day. 2. To cut down on congestion in town with cars searching for a parking space. The rule of thumb is that on a busy day 30% of the traffic is circling looking for a parking space. 3. To have no more than 90% parking occupancy on the streets in the core of Aspen. This would result in the availability of 1-2 spaces at any given time on each block face. P2 I. 2 4. To increase transit, carpool, pedestrian and bicycle trips and to encourage parking by those who must drive in the parking garage, at the Brush Creek Intercept lot or in the residential zones, instead of the downtown core. Here were our results of the Demand-Responsive pricing test we did from June-August 2016: · Parking Occupancy down 10.61% · Garage occupancy up 15.90% · Intercept lot use up 27.89% · Car Pool passes up 8.11% · Day passes Sold up 16.37% It is time to go to the next level that includes: · Free 15 · Parking pricing to vary by time of day · Flat hourly rates · Off Season and Peak Season pricing FREE 15: The City of Aspen Parking Services Department will allow 15 minutes free parking once a day per vehicle. The hope is this 15 minutes will be used to run a quick errand that the citizens need to get accomplished. People will be able to go to any meter on the street and get a receipt to display in their car for 15 minutes of parking with no payment necessary. If the vehicle needs more than 15 minutes parking the person will need to go back to meter and pay for the time needed and display the receipt. · The parking receipt is required to be displayed on the dashboard of the vehicle · Purchased parking of 30 minutes or more does not include an additional 15 minutes of parking · The 15 minutes free parking in only available for short-term needs · There is no grace period with the 15 minute free parking · Each vehicle can only get the Free 15 once a day The mobile apps will only be allowed to purchase parking at a minimum of 1 hour. Performance Pricing: The move toward hourly performance pricing is an important next move to help cut down on congestion and motivate citizens to drive into town during the slowest hours for parking and consider alternative modes of transportation. This will also increase downtown vitality. Vitality is improved as we continue to increase vehicle turnover and have parking spaces available at the key times that tourists and locals want to shop and spend money. The reason to start high pricing at 11am even though occupancy is only 63% full is because by 11:30 am the parking demand starts to build and our goals is to have as much parking spaces available as possible between Noon and 2pm, our busiest hours for parking. The same logic is used as we have lower parking prices starting at 3pm, even though parking occupancy is 81% full. P3 I. 3 After reviewing our average parking occupancy by hour the Parking Services Department is recommending that the hourly pricing be broken down as follows: · 10am-11am and 3pm-6pm: Lower rate · 11am-3pm: Higher rate Hourly Parking Occupancy 10am 11am Noon 1pm 2pm 3pm 4pm 5pm 6pm % to full 30% 63% 79% 89% 98% 81% 72% 62% 29% Rate Low High High High High Low Low Low Low Hourly Pricing: The city currently has progressive hourly parking pricing, where each hour of parking is more expensive than the previous hour. This pricing concept is difficult for parkers to understand and incentivizes people to feed the meter. Our recommendation is to go to a fixed hourly rate based on time of day and time of season. 0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100% 120% 10am 11am Noon 1pm 2pm 3pm 4pm 5pm 6pm % to full by Hour % to full Rate P4 I. 4 Current Pricing Off Season Peak Season 1st Hour $2.00 $3.00 2nd Hour $3.00 $4.50 3rd Hour $4.00 $6.00 4th Hour $5.00 $7.50 Proposed Off Season Pricing Proposed Peak Season Pricing Time of day Per Hour Time of day Per Hour 10am-10:59am $2.00 Per Hour 10am-10:59am $4.00 Per Hour 11am-2:59pm $4.00 Per Hour 11am-2:59pm $6.00 Per Hour 3:00pm-5:59pm $2.00 Per Hour 3:00pm-5:59pm $4.00 Per Hour Peak Season, Off Season: We currently have 7 months of peak season pricing and 5 months of off season pricing. Peak Season: January, February, March, June, July, August, December Off Season: April, May, September, October, November Since we instituted this plan the month of September has continued to grow as a busy month. In this plan the 8 peak season months would be all the months in 2016 and 2017 where the city collected more than $1,000,000 in sales tax. The Parking Services Department recommends moving September to a peak season month and therefore we would have 8 months of peak season and 4 months of off season pricing. FINANCIAL/BUDGET IMPACTS: Our goal would be to move another 5%-7% of the vehicles out of the core and with the 15 minute free parking being offered and also offering off peak hours of parking at a lower price the revenue for the Parking Services Department will be flat. ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS: Parking management and pricing are integral elements of the City’s overall Transportation Implementation plan, designed as a system of incentives and disincentives to encourage the use of alternatives forms of transportation, thereby reducing congestion, improving air quality and reducing greenhouse gas emissions in Aspen. P5 I. 5 RECOMMENDED ACTION: Staff recommends that Aspen City Council approve a change to the fee ordinance for parking rates in the commercial core. This includes: · Free 15 · Parking pricing to vary by time of day · Flat hourly rates · Off Season and Peak Season pricing ALTERNATIVES: Aspen City council could agree to accept parts of the proposed plan or ask staff to analyze different options for parking prices to help reduce congestion in town. PROPOSED MOTION: Aspen City Council should move to approve a change to the fee structure for parking rates in the Downtown Core to allow for a 4 month test of Performance Pricing in 2018. CITY MANAGER COMMENTS: P6 I. Page 1 MEMORANDUM TO: Mayor and City Council FROM: Mitch Osur, Director of Parking and Downtown Services THRU: R. Barry Crook, Assistant City Manager DATE OF MEMO: March 26, 2018 MEETING DATE: April 2, 2018 RE: Municipal Code Changes REQUEST OF COUNCIL: Staff requests Council direction on updating the Municipal Code in a few parking provision. PREVIOUS COUNCIL ACTION: None BACKGROUND: The City of Aspen Parking Services Department continues to look at opportunities to fine tune the parking and congestion issues in the city. Our goals are: 1. To reduce car traffic coming into Aspen each day. 2. To cut down on congestion in town with cars searching for a parking space. 3. To have no more than 90% parking occupancy on the streets in the core of Aspen. 4. To increase transit, carpool, pedestrian and bicycle trips and to encourage parking by those that must drive in the parking garage, at the Brush Creek Intercept Lot or in the residential zones, instead of the in the commercial core. We are also concerned about the quality of life, aesthetics and safety on the streets in the City of Aspen. DISCUSSION: Here are specific code changes the City of Aspen Parking Services Department is looking for direction from Council on. Code changes to Title 24 of the Municipal Code: Unattached Vehicles Add: Unattached non-motorized vehicles cannot be parked on any city street or alley. P7 I. Page 2 Non-motorized vehicles must remain attached to a vehicle. Impoundment of Motor Vehicles Change: When the records of the city indicate that a parking, standing or stopping violation citation has been issued on a vehicle by the city has not been paid or otherwise legally disposed of for more than thirty (30) days from the date of issuance of such citation. Residential Permits Add: On renewal dates for 2019 there will be a limit of four (4) permits and one (1) guest permit per resident. On renewal dates for 2020 there will be a limit of three (3) permits and one (1) guest permit per resident. Oversized Vehicles Add: An oversized vehicle will not be eligible for a Residential Parking pass or Guest pass. Oversized vehicle means any motorized vehicle that exceeds any of the following: · 24 feet in length · 8 feet in width · 8 feet in height · Having a manufacture’s gross weight rating of 10,000 pounds or more Two Hour Free Parking Add: Where two (2) hour free parking is posted a vehicle is only allowed one visit per day during enforcement hours. Electric Vehicle Parking Incentive Program Add: There is hereby created an Electric Vehicle Parking Program within the City to encourage the ownership and use of vehicles with no tailpipe emissions in the City. EV’s and NEV’s will be given the privilege to park in the residential zones for FREE in 2019. Change: (a) For purposes of this Chapter, the following term shall have the following meaning: Electric vehicles, also known as all-electric vehicles or EVs, shall mean a vehicle that is powered by electricity only and is propelled by an electric motor that uses a rechargeable battery. These vehicles have zero tailpipe emissions. This definition is in accordance with the U.S. Department of Energy’s classification (https://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/evtech.shtml). P8 I. Page 3 Neighborhood electric vehicles, also known as NEVs, shall mean a vehicle that is powered by electricity only and is propelled by an electric motor that uses a rechargeable battery. Like an EV, these vehicles have zero tailpipe emissions. However, unlike an EV, NEVs are meant for short range driving and are not for use on roads or highways with speed limits over 35 mph. NEVs should comply with U.S. Department of Energy’s classifications (https://energy.gov/sites/prod/files/2015/04/f21/nev_tech_spec.pdf). NEVs will be treated equally and consistently with EVs in the City of Aspen EV Parking Incentive Program. (b) Any person who is the owner of an EV or NEV may apply for an Aspen Electric Vehicle Parking Program Permit expiring on 12-31-2019. The Electric Vehicle Parking Program Permit shall allow all-electric vehicles (EVs and NEVs) to park in any Residential Permit Zone. Vehicles that display a valid Electric Vehicle Parking Program Permit will be exempt from the two-hour parking restriction in Residential Permit Zones. FINANCIAL/BUDGET IMPACTS: None ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTSRECOMMENDED ACTION: Parking management and pricing are integral elements of the City’s overall Transportation Implementation plan, designed as a system of incentives and disincentives to encourage the use of alternatives forms of transportation, thereby reducing congestion, improving air quality and reducing greenhouse gas emissions in Aspen. ALTERNATIVES: City Council can decide to accept or deny any of the changes to the Municipal Code. On the NEV code, staff understands that here has been some discussion about NEV’s losing the privilege to park in the Downtown Core for FREE. Staff believes that to best serve Aspen’s transportation goals of reducing congestion and discouraging vehicle trips, free parking in the Downtown Core should be eliminated. Staff also believes that EV’s and NEV’s should be treated the same. If Council believes that NEV’s should still get a reward for Downtown Core parking, we are recommending a permit fee (TBD) to park in the Downtown Core for 2019. PROPOSED MOTION: None at this time. CITY MANAGER COMMENTS: P9 I. Page 4 P10 I. 1 MEMORANDUM TO: Mayor and City Council FROM: John D. Krueger Director of Transportation THRU: Barry Crook, Assistant City Manager DATE OF MEMO: March 28, 2018 DATE OF MEETING: April 2, 2018 RE: RFTA Destination 2040 SUMMARY Parsons, the RFTA consultant for the Integrated Transportation System Plan (ITSP) will present an update to City Council on RFTA Destination 2040 and gather input on a possible ballot question for the November 2018 election. PREVIOUS COUNCIL ACTION City Council was previously updated on the ITSP and a possible ballot question at a work session on February 5, 2018. BACKGROUND There are four stages of the ITSP. Stage I of the ITSP began in March of 2016. The plan has progressed to Stage IV. Stage IV will seek to establish a financial plan for RFTA for the next 30 years. The RFTA board, the EOTC and individual member boards of RFTA have received regular updates on the study as it has progressed. DISCUSSION RFTA Destination 2040 includes improvements for the environment, improvements for reducing congestion and mobility, and improvements for transportation and safety. These improvements may be funded by a residential and commercial mill levy. Funding scenarios will be presented for the 30- year plan showing revenues from a 3 and a 5-mill levy. A 3-mill levy would provide approximately $10.5 million a year and a 5-mill levy would provide about $17.5 million a year. P11 II. 2 FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS There may be financial implications if a mill levy is approved by elected officials and voters. ATTACHMENTS Attachment A: RFTA Destination 2040 Presentation P12 II. P13II. Who is RFTA? •2nd Largest Transit system in Colorado, and largest rural transit system in the nation •Operates first rural Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) System in the USA, VelociRFTA •Includes public bike share program (WE-cycle) and RFTA Rio Grande Trail. •At AM peak, RFTA moves 35%-38% of all commuters into Aspen. •Non-driving mode share (walking, biking, transit) for the region is approximately 30%, roughly double the national average •Over 5 million riders annually P14II. Destination 2040 will •Reduce congestion •Provide multimodal travel options that work for any lifestyle •Expand and improve transit service •Provide modern, quieter, cleaner buses that are better for the environment P15II. Active Stakeholders •Snowmass Village •Basalt •Pitkin County •Aspen •Glenwood Springs •Carbondale •New Castle •Silt •Garfield County •Eagle County •Rifle •Parachute •Aspen Valley Hospital •RE 2 School District •RE 1 School District •Valley View Hospital •Grand River Medical Center •Aspen Ski Company •ECO Transit •CDOT Division of Transit & Rail •CDOT Region 3 •Rifle Economic Development Corporation •Mid Valley Planning Commission P16II. Stakeholder Outreach Timeline P17II. Destination 2040 : Improvements for the Environment P18II. Destination 2040 : Improvements for Reducing Congestion and Improving Mobility P19II. Destination 2040: Improvements for Transportation and Safety P20II. What does a Residential Mill Levy Look Like?P21II. What does a Commercial Mill Levy Look Like?P22II. P23II. QUESTIONS / DISCUSSION P24II.