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Council advances parking-rate increases; members request review of private-lot pricing and equity impacts
Summary
The council moved forward with an ordinance raising off-street and some beach‑block parking rates after a revenue-and-finance committee report; members asked staff to compare private‑lot prices and monitor potential effects on foot traffic and local businesses.
Atlantic City Council members advanced an ordinance to increase certain parking rates after a revenue and finance committee report recommending the change, with councilmembers asking staff to check private‑lot pricing and to consider potential effects on street activity and nearby businesses.
The ordinance would raise some off‑street parking rates from $1 to $1.50 per hour and increase certain beach‑block rates from $2 to $2.50 per hour; the administration said the city’s share of meter revenue would remain roughly the same percentage under the new schedule.
During discussion, the council heard from Director Finch about the scope of the change and one added block near the Golden Nugget (Huron) where new rates would apply. "This is, just taking the existing kiosks and increasing from a dollar to a dollar 50 or $2 to $2.50 in certain locations," an administrator said in reply to council questions. Finch told the council the city’s portion of the increased revenue would remain about 2% under the current arrangement. Council members urged staff to compare the city rates with private lots; one member noted private operators charge substantially higher short‑term rates in some markets and asked staff to report back before second reading.
On the ordinance roll call, the item passed with six votes in favor and two against (Kurtz and Tibbitt). Several councilmembers said they supported measured increases to bring city prices closer to market levels; others said they were reluctant to risk deterring foot traffic on shopping corridors and asked that the administration consider targeted free or discount days for local businesses.
The ordinance was advanced on first reading; councilmembers asked the administration to return with benchmarking on private lot pricing and with any recommended adjustments before a second reading.
No additional budget appropriation or redirection was included in the motion; the change would alter meter rates and the existing revenue-sharing arrangement as applied to the referenced kiosk locations.
