HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0578.017 1996-1998 o~ ~ Jo
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•T O W
June 15, 1998
' RECflYEt) a
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County Council~fl- ~ vYC
Honorable Dominic Yagong, Chairman
and Committee Members
Committee on Public Works and Parks
County Council
25 Aupuni Street
Hilo, Hawaii 96720
Dear Chairman Yagong and Committee Members:
The Hilo Downtown Improvement Association (DIA) appreciates this
opportunity to once again share the concerns of our ntentbers and those of
other businesses regarding parking regulations and enforcement in
Downtown Hilo.
Per the' Council's directive, the ,DIA surveyed Downtown business owners
as to the impact that the three month moratorium on parking tees with no
enforcement of the time limits had on their business. Volunteers went
door-to-door to all Downtown merchants in two concerted efforts to
distribute and collect the parking surveys. Additionally, the DIA reminded
merchants on a weekly basis to return the surveys through its newspaper
column. A total of 51 percent took the time to ensure that the survey was
returned. Their comments are as follows:
• 85°lo support the continuation of free parking
9% do not support the continuation
5% were undecided
• 89% said that customers appreciated not having to Iced the meters
6% felt that customers were somewhat appreciative
1% said that customers were not appreciative
2%n were undecided
geysr>m, Na
p'1k No ed~l_,
Hilo Downtown Improvement Association ~ ~~wrac
252 Kemehameha Avenue • Hllo, Hawal'I 96720
Phone and Fax (808) 935-8850 tti~ _
Hbtorlc Dwuntown Hllo
Chairman Dominic Yagong and Committee Members
Committee un Public Works and Parks
June IS, 199t{
Page 2.
• 73°/% felt that the free parking program was over-all good for business
l3% felt it was somewhat good for business
9% said it was not good for business
3% were undecided
• 29% felt that the free parking had helped their business, over the same
three month period last year
21% felt it helped somewhat
29% said it did not help
19% were uncertain
• 50% stated that employees and business owners had not created a
problem by parking in the [wo-hour stalls
29% felt that employees and business owners had caused problems
20% wel•e uncertain
• 57°Ic do not use the two-hour parking stalls
15% use the two-hour stalls
27°k use the two-hour stalls ~at times
• 29% said they would support the concept of creating a special
Downtown district, to tax themselves for the purpose of parking
enforcement and/or the creation of new parking areas
8% wel•e somewhat supportive
32% did not support the concept
29% were undecided
The DIA stresses that the Council's action to provide for the three month
moratorium on parking fees failed to provide for continued enforcement of
the time limits; thus, it did not meet the intent of the DIA. 'Time limits
must be in place and enforced. There are some merchants, employees and
tenants who when not faced with parking fines will continue to abuse the
spaces intended for customer use.
Again, the UTA reiterates:
• No other commercial areas on the island have a similar tax placed upon
the merchants, employees and customers.
Chairman Dominic Yagong and Committee Members
Committee an Public Works and Parks
June 15, Ie9R
Page 3.
• There has been a history of inadequate enforcement of the parking time
limits.
• The D[A and the administration have explored various alternatives,
including privatization. All of which have been met with resistance
from personnel or the administration and the more recent Supreme
Court ruling against privatization.
Merchants are willing to monitor and report non-customer abuses of
parking. With the Police Department's support, violators can be tagged.
A cooperative effort like this will result in amore effective plan to provide
for the needs of customers and fewer customer fines.
To remedy the County's lose of revenue due to the moratorium and the
eventual removal of the meters, the 1~1A recommends that private
industry's lead be followed; eliminate or transfer permanently those
employees who no longer serve a necessazy function. There is no
justification for keeping the three parking meter positions, particularly if
the administration does not require them to routinely fulfill their job
description of enforcing the parking ordinance as it pertains to time limits.
Again, the DIA strongly urges that the Council eliminate the parking
meters and maintain the time limits, with continued enforcement by the
Police Department. Your support and understanding of the Downtown
businesses' sentiments and needs are greatly appreciated.
Sincerely.
C/
Randy Rohner, Chair
DIA Parking Committee