City proposes new superintendent role as parking fund readies major capital work

Pat Ferguson, transportation advisor, and city staff presented the parking-enterprise fund budget and a proposed superintendent-of-parking authority position intended to consolidate parking administration and enforcement functions.

Ferguson said major parking expenditures include contract parking operations, restroom cleaning (about $80,000 annually), and a ticket‑collection vendor (about $50,000). He outlined proposed capital projects that drive a roughly $1.4 million increase in capital outlay versus the prior adopted year: Gateway Garage maintenance (estimated $200,000 this year; total repairs could reach $600,000 but be staged), Mary Street occupancy sensors ($25,000), gateway parking equipment replacement ($100,000) and street-side improvements (about $500,000).

City staff described the superintendent position as classification S9 with a salary range of $86,000–$122,000; total salary plus benefits was estimated in the neighborhood of $175,000 depending on benefits selections. Officials said the position’s cost would be paid from the parking enterprise (projected gross revenue about $3.9 million) and estimated the position cost at roughly 4.5% of projected gross revenue.

Councilors asked whether city public‑works projects should draw on the parking fund; staff said some street-improvement items have a strong nexus to parking impacts and that using enterprise resources is common where parking-generated traffic imposes wear. On enforcement and operations, staff said traffic aids are seasonal (about nine in winter and up to 24 at peak) and that directed enforcement beats are used to address hot spots.

No formal action was taken; council members requested line-item backup for capital projects and the requested superintendent position.