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Report regarding a resolution affirming parking rates and time limits to be added to the fiscal year 2026-27 Master Fee Schedule. (Marissa Garren, Management Analyst II)
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RECOMMENDATION
Recommendation
It is recommended that the Parking Place Commission adopt a resolution affirming the parking rates and time limits for inclusion in the Fiscal Year 2026-27 Master Fee Schedule.
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BACKGROUND/DISCUSSION
Municipal Code 11.56.020 states that parking rates and time limits are approved by resolution of the Parking Place Commission and published in the Master Fee Schedule. The approved rates and limits are then included in the Master Fee Schedule adopted each year by the City Council.
Parking Rate Adjustment Process
The City has established procedures for adjusting parking rates and permit fees.
Hourly Parking Rates (On-Street and Off-Street)
The Parking Place Commission may approve changes to hourly parking rates at any regular meeting. Once approved, the new rates must be posted on the City’s website for at least 30 days before they take effect.
Additional rules for hourly parking rates include:
• Minimum and maximum hourly rates are set in the Master Fee Schedule.
• Rate adjustments related to parking demand may increase by up to $0.25 at a time.
• Rates may vary by time of day based on parking demand.
• Rates must stay within the range set in the Master Fee Schedule.
Parking Permits
The Parking Place Commission may also approve changes to parking permit rates at a regular meeting. New permit rates must be posted on the City’s website for at least 45 days before they take effect.
Additional rules for permit rates include:
• Minimum and maximum permit fees are set in the Master Fee Schedule.
• Monthly permit rates may increase by up to $10 per month at a time.
• Costs related to maintaining an online permit system may be included in permit fees.
Downtown Parking Study
The City recently completed a downtown parking study conducted by Kimley-Horn and Associates. The study reviewed parking use on Grand Avenue, Linden Avenue, City parking lots, and the Miller Parking Garage.
The study found that:
• Weekday peak parking use was about 83 percent.
• Weekend peak parking use was about 96 percent.
Parking experts generally recommend keeping parking use around 85 percent. This helps make sure drivers can still find available spaces.
The study also found several issues during busy times, including:
• Illegal parking
• Delivery vehicles taking up multiple spaces
• Some streets and lots reaching full capacity
At the same time, the Miller Parking Garage often had open spaces during weekdays.
Parking Management Considerations
To address these issues, staff reviewed ways to better manage parking in the downtown area.
A common strategy is to create a pricing hierarchy. This means the most convenient parking spaces, such as curbside parking, cost slightly more than parking lots or garages. This encourages short visits at curbside spaces and directs longer parking stays to garages or surface lots.
Based on the parking study and industry best practices, staff reviewed the following rate structure:
|
Parking Type |
Current Rate |
Proposed Rate |
|
On-Street Parking |
$1.25-$1.50 per hour |
$2.50 - $3.00 per hour |
|
Surface Parking Lots |
$1.25 per hour |
$1.50 - $2.50 per hour |
|
Miller Parking Garage |
$1.25 per hour |
$1.25 - $2.00 per hour |
|
Permit Parking (Surface Lots) Permit Parking (Miller Parking Garage) |
$50 per month $40 per month |
$60-80 per month $40-$70 per month |
|
|
|
|
This structure helps keep the most convenient spaces available for short visits while encouraging longer parking stays in garages and surface lots.
Staff will present the parking rates and time limits for inclusion in the Fiscal Year 2026-27 Master Fee Schedule at an upcoming City Council meeting.
Justification for Parking Rate Adjustments
The proposed parking rate adjustments help better balance parking demand with the available parking supply in the downtown area.
The parking study showed that weekend parking demand reached about 96 percent, which is above the recommended operating level for public parking systems. When parking use goes above 85 percent, drivers may have difficulty finding spaces. This can lead to more traffic, congestion, and illegal parking.
Adjusting parking rates is a common way to improve parking turnover and make better use of available spaces. Slightly higher rates for curbside parking encourage short visits, while lower rates in garages encourage longer stays.
Parking revenue also helps support the operation and maintenance of the downtown parking district. This includes maintaining parking facilities, enforcement, signage, and parking system improvements. Periodic rate adjustments help ensure the parking program remains financially sustainable while continuing to provide safe and well-maintained parking for residents, businesses, and visitors.
FISCAL IMPACT
Adjusting parking rates may increase parking revenue depending on how parking demand changes. Revenue from parking operations helps fund maintenance and improvements for the City’s parking facilities.
Staff will continue to monitor parking use and system performance after any changes are adopted.
CONCLUSION
Adopting the resolution affirming the parking rates and time limits will ensure the approved rates and limits are included in the Fiscal Year 2026-27 Master Fee Schedule and will support better management of downtown parking resources.