Authority posts $277,000 June fund balance as meter revenue and construction violations rise; YMCA lot, pay-station questions remain

Parking Authority finance staff reported the authority finished June with a $277,000 increase in fund balance, driven by monthly meter revenue, higher parking-violation collections and other revenue lines, including advertising and investment income. "For the month of June, we ... finished strong on the revenue side and are also favorably under budget on the expense side resulting in, 277,000, fund balance for the month," the finance presenter said. Commissioners asked where revenue from the lot next to the former YMCA is recorded. Staff replied it is reported under the monthly revenue section and noted the authority has received unbudgeted revenue from that lot this fiscal year. Staff described the lot as non-transient, under the authority’s control but partly rented to a developer; the lot currently operates under a four-hour regulation and the construction contractor is rebuilding the lot. Staff said they expect some revenue to continue after construction, including from supplemental parking and first-floor commercial spaces. Construction-area parking tickets contributed to the higher violation revenue. Staff said many citations were issued in areas around the construction work (Orchard, Merwin and Maple streets) and that more serious violations — such as parking in no-parking zones or occupying multiple spaces — carry a $60 fine. Staff said construction employers generally arrange parking in the YMCA lot, but workers who receive street citations pay fines themselves. Commissioners discussed how the authority should manage the YMCA-adjacent lot once the developer finishes work. Staff said they ordered new meters for West Avenue, expected by mid to late August, and suggested a mobile-only payment approach if the lot is converted to transient paid parking. One commissioner and others urged placing a pay station at the YMCA lot; staff said they had ordered an extra pay station as a contingency and will present scenarios for regulation and equipment at a future meeting. Finance staff also noted an accounting correction: a signage expense number reported in the meeting packet was incorrect and will be revised (actual signage expense for the month is $23,800, not $259,000). Staff said they will send a corrected report. Finally, the authority reported a 3% decline in 15-minute free parking activity in June and said it will monitor usage and report back in September.