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Boca Raton CRA reviews downtown parking meters, ParkMobile fees and short‑term parking options
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Summary
Agency staff reported roughly 553,000 downtown meter transactions and nearly $2 million in revenue over the past year, reviewed citation volumes, and said technology pilots for individual-space occupancy could enable short free parking without undermining turnover.
Steven Timberlake, the Community Redevelopment Agency’s special projects manager, told the board the city’s meter program covers every on‑street space inside the CRA boundary and is enforced 24 hours a day to promote turnover for downtown businesses.
Timberlake said the CRA recorded about 553,000 parking transactions in the past year and described them as follows: roughly 351,000 at meters (reported revenue about $1.5 million) and nearly 200,000 via ParkMobile; he said total revenue across payment methods totaled “almost $2,000,000.” He reported the average paid time was about 2 hours, 7 minutes, with peak average time approaching 2 hours, 18 minutes around 6 p.m. in some areas.
The presentation noted the CRA issued roughly 20,000 parking citations during the year; Timberlake said nearly 16,000 were for expired meters (about $556,000 in fines) and that handicapped parking violations accounted for about 1,300 citations and $336,000 in fines.
Timberlake described area patterns: Maestro Park (163 on‑street metered spaces plus four garages) and blocks around Sanborn Square and Royal Palm all show lunch and dinner peaks, with Sanborn Square skewing more to dinner hours.
On policy options, Timberlake outlined a meter configuration that would add a short, free‑rate option at the meter (for example, 29 minutes). He warned that ParkMobile users would still pay ParkMobile’s per‑transaction fee (30¢), and that, without additional enforcement or sensing technology, patrons could repeatedly select a free rate without moving their vehicles. Timberlake estimated a 29‑minute free option would reduce revenue by about $70,000 (as reported).
Commissioners and staff discussed options. Chair Nautilus and commissioners asked whether meter hours could be adjusted; Timberlake said the CRA currently enforces meters 24 hours because nearby residential uses can otherwise occupy spaces into the next day, which undermines turnover. Commissioners proposed exploring targeted short‑duration spaces (10‑minute bays) in strategic locations for quick errands and retail pickups.
Commissioner Drucker and others recommended staff evaluate vendor solutions that show curb availability and individual‑space occupancy (she named SpotHero and said she had met a vendor called Modi) and said she would forward vendor contacts and analyses to Mr. Brown. Timberlake cautioned that on‑street occupancy sensing historically required sensors drilled into pavement and had reliability problems, but staff will review new technologies at upcoming trade shows.
Commissioner Singer noted the practical workaround that some meter machines accept a nickel to obtain a short period of free parking while ParkMobile transactions include a 30¢ fee; he urged staff to pursue technology improvements before changing policy. Several commissioners agreed to maintain current enforcement while staff evaluates sensing technology, potential short‑term bays and the revenue/turnover trade‑offs, and to return with data and proposals.
The board did not take a formal vote on any change. The CRA directed staff to continue vendor outreach, collect parking‑user and peak‑time data, evaluate short‑duration spots and sensor pilots, and report back with options that estimate revenue and enforcement implications.