Automated parking garage coming

5/09 tahoe mt. news

By Kathryn Reed

Even though the city’s parking garage at Heavenly Village will be automated by August, the employees are staying put.
“As for jobs, there are no plans to cut jobs. The reasoning is that one attendant, which is the amount generally there at any given time, is likely still needed to assist customers with the machine and ticketing,” said Nancy Kerry, South Lake Tahoe redevelopment and housing manager.
The automation will allow the garage to be open around-the-clock. Currently, parking is permissible from 6am to 11pm.
When the council approved the plan there was no mention of hiring people to work during the extended hours.
It’s estimated the city could see a $30,000 increase to the bottom line with the pay-on-foot system. This is in part from being open longer, having tighter control over money coming in and the increased use in credit cards.
Machines will be mounted to a wall, near where people come from the shops into the garage. Drivers insert the parking ticket and pay by cash or credit card. The “paid” ticket lets them get out of the garage.
Validation from merchants is still possible.
Only one firm bid on the project earlier this year. At a council meeting last month the elected body agreed to have William D White Company do the work for $176,235. This firm installed the current parking system nearly six years ago.
“The financial end has no impact on the city’s budget because there is $204,766 left over from the bonds issued for the project – the proceeds from the bonds have to be used on improvements in the area, and the bond contracts require that all the funds be spent,” Kerry explained.
Another $18,250 was allocated to cover signs, lighting upgrade and security camera.
In the staff report for the April 7 council meeting, it says, “It is recommended that any moneys remaining upon completion of this project be used to make an additional payment back to the City’s General Fund CIP (capital improvement project), for public improvements.” The general fund took a $7.2 million hit to make Heavenly Village a reality and now the city’s Redevelopment Agency is paying off that loan of sorts in $500,000 annual payments.