Let me start by reminding everyone that I didn’t devise this plan and I didn’t vote for it. While I knew we were interviewing parking companies, I was never aware that such a drastic change was coming.
It never came up in the campaign. We talked at length about improving parking availability, but not once did we discuss eliminating nonresident passes or charging all winter.
That being said, here are my thoughts:
On Public Input
Something I’ve heard loud and clear is that people are upset about the way this went down. I get that and I’m committed to having open debates prior to enacting any such legislation.
Well, your voice was heard on this one, and if you wanted to reach me I wasn’t hiding. I lost count of the phone calls, conversations, emails, texts, etc… andI learned a different nuance of this topic with each conversation. If we communicated, you influenced my opinion.
On “Special Treatment” for Boardwalk Businesses
We do spend a lot of money to support the downtown businesses, and here’s why: a big part of our marketing effort is selling our unique downtown area. And if the businesses down there are failing (or non-existent) that’s not good for anyone. It’s a synergistic relationship. The attractions (boardwalk, music, fireworks, landscaping…) help the businesses and the businesses help the attractions. Hand in hand they make Carolina Beach a fun, unique place.
Furthermore, supporting the downtown area isn’t just helpful to those businesses. If our downtown is fun, unique and attractive then more good people will visit and stay… and they’ll support all of the town businesses. (There’s that synergy thing again.)
On Consistency and Predictability
We owe it to residents, property owners and business owners to provide consistency. That’s why we have zoning laws. You bought your house in a residential zone so you won’t have to worry about a Scotchman being built next door. You deserve predictability. Therefore, any zoning changes should be small and incremental.
I apply the same logic to policies that affect our businesses. Things can’t always stay the same, but we can try to soften the changes. We should strive to keep roughly the same amount of parking spaces going forward. No more, no less. There’s no need to flood the town with spots, but it shouldn’t dry up either.
I get it that some businesses chose to open in places where they don’t have parking. And that’s a risk they took. But this change has been quite drastic. They opened their businesses based on town policies that were in place (like free winter parking) and now we’ve turned them upside down. Wouldn’t you be frustrated?
On Free Winter Parking
People have been arguing about how much revenue this will bring in. The truth is, we just don’t know. To those arguing that we can’t live without it… we already do. We have never charged for parking Nov-Feb, but we’re talking as if we always have.
I support making the meters free in the winter, but charging in the lots, because they are either closer to the beach or offer amenities (showers and restrooms.) To me, the revenue we give up should be considered a marketing expense, and we should try like hell to get a Room Occupancy Tax reimbursement for it.
And by the way… if the lots are completely full in the summer, that means we aren’t charging enough.
On Employee Parking
The new policy allows for employers to purchase a $100 annual pass for their employees. With the new License Plate Reader system, the passes are now transferrable. So if an employee quits, the pass can be transferred to a different employee at no charge. Last year an employer could only buy a $175 annual pass and if the employee quit, they took the pass with them. This is an improvement. Employees do not have to pay $25/day. That’s a myth.
There’s been discussion of a designated employee lot. I’m not sold on the idea. There are too many questions. Can we even find a place for this? Do employees want it, or will they just search for a closer spot? Will it just be a drop in the bucket? Will it sit empty half the time?
Here’s my take: every business has their own special problems. Let’s get out of their way and let them figure it out. The town trying to provide one solution for all these diverse businesses… I don’t see it being helpful.
On Non-Resident Passes
I often heard it said that we should run our town like a business. But we’re not a business, we’re a community. I think we should run our town like a smart family. Smart families are cautious with their money, but are still good to their neighbors.
Some have characterized our OTB friends as “entitled.” I don’t feel that way. They support our businesses and community organizations. I can think of ten who volunteered with me to improve the Island Greenway system.
These “freeloaders who don’t want to pay taxes” volunteer for the Sea Turtle Project and Ocean Cure, teach our children, support the Lo Tide Run and clean litter from the beach. They support our businesses in the winter. They treat our town with respect. They WANT to be a part of our community and they’re willing to PAY. And it just feels like we’re dismissing their contributions.
I believe that we can be fiscally responsible AND be good neighbors. We can optimize our income AND be an inclusive community.
The argument against offering nonresident passes seems to boil down to two points:
1) Nonresidents would spend more on parking if they had to pay a la carte.
I’m not so sure. I think a lot of these OTBers will end up spending LESS on parking, not more. They’ll adapt, find free spots, park in friends’ driveways or go elsewhere.
2) Nonresidents with passes take up spots that paying customers would otherwise use.
Yes and no. 4th of July weekend, yes. The middle of March, no. Some type of peak season or peak time restrictions seem reasonable.
Season passes are guaranteed income. Why do you think that Jungle Rapids sells them? ($50/day or $180 for a season pass.) As a for-profit business I’m sure Jungle Rapids did some research before setting their price. They probably know that the average season ticket holder only goes 2.5 times (or something like that.) So I believe there is an appropriate price. I just don’t know what it is.
We can and should offer season passes. Charge more, offer them for a limited time and include restrictions… I’m not sure. But let’s give our OTB friends an OPTION.
It’s Not That Simple
We signed a contract with Pivot Parking that is specifically “based on the parking season, hours, fee schedule and number of parking spaces in existence as of 12/1/2021.” (That’s a direct quote from the contract.)
We also lease land from private owners to operate parking lots. And those leases are also based on our current policies.
Are we to tear up the contract and leases already, with the season started? That’s just bad business. What if Pivot walks away and now we don’t have anyone to manage the parking? What if lease holders bail? What if there’s a lawsuit? There are potential disasters here.
And what about staff time? They’ve spent considerable effort on negotiations and planning. And now we’re going to ask them to start over? That’s no way to run an organization.
We have important infrastructure projects that staff needs to be working on. (The marina rebuild, the Ocean Blvd sidewalk, the lake dredge, Canal Drive, and the Freeman Park purchase, just to name a few… and these are big!) We need to focus on these projects, not endlessly rehash parking.
Two of my campaign themes were “look out for the locals” and “make cautious decisions.” I cannot in good conscience vote for a policy change that could hurt our tax paying citizens.
Just because I disagree with the plan doesn’t mean it’s a good idea to change it.
My Proposal
It would not be prudent to rip this up and start from scratch. We have to govern this town, and lurching back and forth on policy is irresponsible. Therefore, my proposal is modest.
I support amending the non-resident pass rules. But not this year. It will have to wait until 2023.
I support having free parking at all street meters from December 1, 2022 – March 30, 2023 The four coldest months of the year. We should make it a feature of our winter marketing push and ask the Tourism Development Authority to reimburse us for the lost revenue. It’s worth asking.
The lots remain paid parking all year. With only one month affected in 2022, I believe the contract and the leases will be fine.
I think this proposal is our best way forward because:
- It provides an off-season option for our neighbors
- It helps our downtown business owners during the slow months
- It has minimal impact on our contracts, leases and investments
- Our staff will not be distracted from focusing on our other needs
- We can evaluate the parking program with a full season of implementation
Thank you for talking it out. Appreciate the candor /POV.
Thank YOU for taking the time to read it.
I love your thoughts on all of these points, Mike. You always have such great insight and ideas. Thanks for taking the time to cover all of this here.
Thanks Amy… no blog without you!
Thank you for a clear explanation of your position. We need much more of this, and as you told me in person, it needs to be at the Town Council meetings. I still don’t get the distinction between meters and parking lots except maybe the Shell lot, because out of season there is usually plenty of parking at the meters. But that’s a minor item. I’d still like to see the non-resident pass implemented this year. Otherwise I agree with your analysis and thank you for publishing it.
Thank you mike for your complete transparency! I am confident in your stance! Even more importantly, you are thinking about what is best for everyone and not a one-sided stance! That says a lot about your character! Thank you!
What about handicap parking? Im a full time resident, older and difficulty with walking. One reason I moved here was to be close to beach.
Hi Patricia, that can be addressed anytime. The contracts are not affected by minor tweaks like this. I have been advocating for more HC parking at the Alabama, Hamlet and Boardwalk accesses. I’ll keep pushing.
Thanks Dan.
Spot on! Thank you for you summation of the parking nightmare saga! Also, thank you for being true to the residents, business owners and our OTB’ers that support of island economy! We appreciate you and all you do for our wonderful island!
Thanks Karla. I can only promise to seek the best solution that serves the most people fairly.
I’m going to add an idea for non-resident parking that could be implemented this year with minimal negotiation (maybe none needed) with Pivot. A number of us had the same thought as we left the Tuesday meeting. We heard at the meeting that Pivot could not manage a custom database program for non-resident license plates that would restrict them during the higher peak hours. Why could the Town not discuss with them a simple sticker for non- residents in a bright, reflective color, to be placed on the rear window? It would require a slight bit of effort on the part of the parking employees to watch for these (only during the restricted times) but would serve two good purposes. First, end the fight now with our neighbors. Second, absolutely maximize the parking fees – even 500 stickers at $250 each means $125,000 guaranteed revenue, with the spots still available during peak times for daily parkers. If you follow Deb LeCompte’s idea of $365 for the pass, then it’s $182,500 in guaranteed revenue. When you look at the other towns where Pivot (and other companies) are working, it is clear that all the companies are willing to work with town managements on custom solutions. To me, this is a solution where everyone wins. BTW the stickers average only a dollar each from various vendors when you buy 500 or more. It costs the Town nothing to ask Pivot to implement a plan like this without expecting a change in the contract. It would be good business for them to work with the community. NC Parking made a conceptual concession on Tuesday that cost them nothing. My belief is that a change like this would cost Pivot nothing, maybe even add to their receipts and everyone’s profits.
I cannot forget the important word that our town manager said… “chaotic” I’m all for a solution… in 2023.
In fact, I think Deb’s idea and this one are too restrictive. I gravitate toward $250/year with limitations only on weekends during the high season. I have no data to back that up of course, and I think that the only way to find the data is to follow the strategy this year, then offer season passes next year, and then compare.
Thank you. Good logical explanations.