Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutPublic Works - 1996-02-05PWTC\1996-02-05 PUBLIC WORKS & TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE MINUTES FEBRUARY 5, 1996 CITY OF KITCHENER The Public Works and Transportation Committee met this date under the Chairmanship of Councillor John Smola, with all members present, except His Worship Mayor R. Christy. Councillor G. Lorentz, Councillor J. Ziegler and Councillor Jake Smola were in attendance for part of the meeting. Others Present: Messrs. S. Gyorffy, D. Snow, J. McBride, T. McKay, T. Clancy and L.F. Parkhouse. This meeting of the Public Works and Transportation Committee commenced at 8:40 a.m. 1. DOPWR 96-7 - ON-STREET PARKING - MILL STREET The Committee considered a report recommending that parking be prohibited on the south side of Mill Street from Borden Parkway to a point 72 metres west of Heiman Street. It was noted that there is a curvature in the road in this location and parking on the south side of Mill Street impedes the free flow of traffic and creates problems for pedestrians. On motion by Councillor R. Wagner - it was resolved: "That parking be prohibited on the south side of Mill Street from a point 72 metres west of Heiman Street to Borden Parkway, and further, That the Uniform Traffic By-law be amended accordingly." 2.C.I.P. REPORT - PARKING TICKET INQUIRIES Mr. John McBride appeared before the Committee and pointed out that the introduction of 24 hour enforcement and downloading of responsibilities by the Province have resulted in many changes in parking enforcement and the processing of parking infraction notices over the past 5 years. Attempts have been made to accommodate visitor parking requirements, however, it is now felt that staff can no longer deal with the volume of ticket related inquiries without seriously impacting their other job functions. In this regard, a C.I.P. Team was established to review the parking system to identify problems and to make recommendations which would benefit both staff and the public. The members of the C.I.P. Team in attendance at this meeting were introduced and are as follows: Ms. Stephanie Kennedy, Ms. Karen Potworka and Messrs. John McBride, Ken Carmichael, Richard Parent and Roger LeBrun. The Mission Statement for this C.I.P. Team reads as follows: "That City of Kitchener, Traffic and Parking Division, is committed to minimize parking inquiries and the time spent on inquiries, improve internal and external education and communication and develop a fair and consistent policy for dealing with parking inquiries, the result being improved morale and reduced stress for staff and enhanced public relations." The Committee was advised that in 1994 a total of approximately 73,000 parking infraction notices were issued. These were issued by full and part-time By-law Enforcement Officers employed by the City, Regional Police and Private Property Enforcement Officers. It was further noted that the Regional Police have totally discontinued assisting with parking enforcement, except in emergency situations. Councillors J. Ziegler and Jake Smola entered the meeting at this time. Mr. McBride advised the Committee that, in May of 1991, Council directed staff to no longer ticket vehicles parked overnight on residential streets provided that they were owned by visitors of City residents and that permission had been obtained for the vehicle to be on the street. This resolution created many problems for staff because of the vague definition for a visitor and the lack of clarity regarding the fact that pre-approval must be obtained. 2.C.I.P. REPORT - PARKING TICKET INQUIRIES (CONT'D) PUBLIC WORKS & TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE MINUTES FEBRUARY 5, 1996 -7- CITY OF KITCHENER Mr. R. Parent advised that an office study was undertaken and it was determined that approximately 900 parking inquiries were received during 21 working days. Approximately 3.4 hours per day was spent by staff dealing with these phone calls. Many of the calls received were requests to have parking infraction notices cancelled and 205 of 347 requests of this nature were approved. Other municipalities were also contacted and it was determined that many municipalities do not consider overnight parking a serious enough problem to justify enforcement on a year round basis. The need to provide enforcement during the winter months to accommodate snow removal was recognized in other municipalities. The Committee was advised that, due to the number of parking infraction notices that were being cancelled, it was felt that a cancellation policy should be developed. Such a policy was developed by the C.I.P. Team and this policy has been followed even though it has not been formally adopted by City Council. Mr. Parent suggested that this policy should be approved at this time and is recommended by the C. I.P. Team. Mr. Ken Carmichael advised that the following recommendations have been developed for the Committee's consideration: 1 .Amend the overnight by-law to prohibit parking on all City of Kitchener roadways in the winter only (2:30 a.m. to 6:00 a.m., December 1st to March 31st, annually). 2. Provide n._~o exemptions to the overnight by-law. 3.Maintain the existing By-law Enforcement Officer staff shifts, December to March (4 day, 1 evening and 2 overnight shifts). 4. Re-assign the By-law Enforcement Officer staff shifts, April to November (4 day, 2 evening and 1 overnight shifts). 5. Perform regular City-wide enforcement of prohibited parking (sidewalk, boulevard, "no parking" areas) during the evening hours. 6.Adopt the formal Cancellation Policy listed on Page 8. 7.Extensively advertise to the public the recommended parking policy revisions. Mr. Carmichael suggested to the Committee that the adoption of a "no exemption" policy to overnight parking will lead to snow removal efficiencies during the winter months. Allowing on-street parking during the summer months may lead to some complaints, however, if necessary, these can be rectified by using the existing 3 hour maximum which presently exists for all City streets. Mr. Carmichael suggested to the Committee that adopting the recommendations, as presented, will provide the City with certain benefits and certain risks. The benefits were identified as follows: -better public image -reallocation of By-law Enforcement staff to look after other problem areas -fairer enforcement policy -addressing more prevalent problems -consistency with the City of Waterloo -a 79% reduction in parking inquiries -a reduction in snow ploughing costs/time -more available time for staff to address their other duties -reduced stress (staff) -improved office morale. 2.C.I.P. REPORT - PARKING TICKET INQUIRIES (CONT'D) The risks identified to the Committee are as follows: -possible hinderance to street sweeping during the summer months PUBLIC WORKS & TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE MINUTES FEBRUARY 5, 1996 -8- CITY OF KITCHENER -complaints regarding the lack of By-law Enforcement (parking) -potential for long term abuse of on-street parking by residents (summer months) -complaints due to an increase in evening enforcement in the outlying areas. Councillor K. Redman questioned what actions would be taken if no exemptions were granted to allow on-street parking during the winter months. In this regard, it was noted that a ticket would be issued, however, the implementation of a towing program is not being suggested. Councillor Redman referred to the possibility of implementing a permit system, however, Mr. D. Snow pointed out that there are administrative difficulties with a program of this nature. Permit programs have been reviewed in the past and it has been determined that, in most cases, they create as many problems as they solve. Councillor B. Vrbanovic suggested that there are some times when overnight stays cannot be avoided and, therefore, he would prefer if some flexibility were available. In this regard, however, Mr. McBride pointed out that as soon as you allow any exemptions you create administrative problems because someone must decide who is a legitimate visitor and who is not. When questioned by Councillor C. Weylie, Mr. McBride pointed out that there is presently a 3 hour maximum limit on all City streets unless they are posted otherwise. It is proposed that overnight parking during the summer months would only be enforced if complaints were received. In most cases, complaints are only received when parking from a business community expands into a residential area. Councillor C. Weylie referred to proposed housing policies which would permit additional units to be developed. In this regard, it was noted that the parking requirements for these residential uses have been relaxed so that driveways can be widened and adequate off-street parking provided. In response to Councillor J. Ziegler, staff noted that approximately 60 signs would have to be developed which would outline the new overnight parking regulations for the City of Kitchener. Notices would be sent out with the Utility Bills to advise all residents that no exemptions would be granted during the winter months. It was not felt that any publicity campaign would be required to indicate that enforcement during the summer months would be on a complaint basis only. Councillor M. Wagner was of the view that an ongoing communications program should be developed so that residents are reminded of the new program which would be implemented to cover the winter months. In this regard, Mr. T. McKay suggested that in October an informational report could be provided to the Committee which would include the documentation which has been circulated to the residents of the City to publicize the parking changes that will be implemented for the winter months. Mr. J. McBride advised Councillor Jake Smola that it is felt appropriate to implement the winter month program as of December 1st each year. Before that date there is not usually a lot of snow ploughing which has to be undertaken. The Committee was advised that it is possible that the existing Parking Enforcement Officers can be utilized to enforce such things as the City's Noise By-law. A further report regarding this possibility will be presented in the near future. On motion by Councillor J. Ziegler - it was resolved: "That the Traffic and Parking Division of the Department of Public Works be instructed to amend the Overnight By-law to prohibit parking on all City roadways between the hours of 2:30 a.m. and 6:00 a.m., from December 1st to March 31st, annually, and further, 2.C.I.P. REPORT - PARKING TICKET INQUIRIES (CONT'D) That there be no provision for exemptions to the Overnight By-law, and further, That the existing By-law Enforcement Officer shifts be maintained between December and March (4 day, 1 evening and 2 overnight), and further, PUBLIC WORKS & TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE MINUTES FEBRUARY 5, 1996 -9- CITY OF KITCHENER That, from April to November, the By-law Enforcement Officer shifts be re-assigned to include 4 day, 2 evening and 1 overnight, and further, That the By-law Enforcement Officers perform regular City-wide enforcement of prohibited parking during the evening hours, and further, That the Cancellation Policy, as presented to the Public Works and Transportation Committee on February 5, 1996, be adopted, and further, That the revisions to the existing parking policies be extensively advertised to the public." 3. FARRIER DRIVE Councillor C. Weylie advised that she has received a complaint from a resident of Farrier Drive regarding the lack of sanding and salting. Mr. S. Gyorffy advised that he would look into this situation and respond to Councillor Weylie by E-Mail. 4. KING STREET TRAFFIC CONGESTION - CABS Councillor K. Redman referred to traffic congestion which is being created on King Street by cabs servicing the Downtown Nightclubs. In this regard, Mr. D. Snow advised that he has arranged a meeting with the Managers of the local Cab Companies and, hopefully, this problem will be resolved. It was noted, however, that if the Cab Companies do not agree to co-operate there are enforcement steps which can be taken to control the situation. 5.ADJOURNMENT On motion, the meeting adjourned at 9:40 a.m. L.F. Parkhouse, AMCT Deputy City Clerk