City of Homer

Port / Harbor                                                Telephone        (907) 235-3160

4350 Homer Spit Road                        Fax                  (907) 235-3152

Homer, Alaska 99603-8005                E-mail             Port@ci.homer.ak.us

                                                            Web Site          http://port.ci.homer.ak.us

 

TO:                  Walt Wrede, City Manager

 

FROM:            Steve Dean, Port Director/Harbormaster

 

RE:                  Spit Parking Implementation Plan

 

DATE:                        October 6, 2004

 

The following information is offered as the basis for discussion concerning the phased implementation of a Spit Parking Plan in order to achieve the goal of better and safer access for our customers.

 

Background

 

Efforts to organize customer parking on the Homer Spit in the area of the Small Boat Harbor have been on-going since at least 1999.  Various Commissions, Task Forces, Departments and Councils have studied the issue.  Below is a brief synopsis of these efforts to date.

 

            1999 – 2000

           

            Port Director Bill Abbott and Homer Police Department Officer Matt Haney, under     direction from City Administration, developed a draft Revenue Parking Plan for          implementation in the Spring of 2000.  The City of Seward provided input and                  suggested a Request for Proposal be developed to outsource parking administration,   collection and enforcement.  The Plan, copies of the Seward Parking RFP and      Ordinance were forwarded to City Administration for consideration.  This effort was suspended in early 2000.

 

            2001 – 2002

 

            The City Council created a Parking Task Force in 2001.  Representatives from the City       Council, Planning Commission, Port/Harbor Commission, Homer Police Department,             Spit and CBD businesses were appointed to study city-wide parking issues.  The Task         Force was chaired by the Planning Director and met several times during 2001 and          2002.  Much work was accomplished and constructive dialogue was facilitated,         however, the effort was suspended with no specific implementation plan for Small Boat               Harbor customer parking.

 

            2003 – 2004

 

            The Port and Harbor Advisory Commission was assigned the task of reviewing the previous parking studies in the Fall of 2003.  The Commission discussed Spit parking   problems and solutions during a series of meetings and work sessions.  The product of  

 

Spit Parking Implementation Plan

Page 2 of 4

 

            2003 – 2004 (continued)

 

            the Port and Harbor Advisory Commissions effort is listed in the attached memo of April      6, 2004.  It contains specific recommendations for each individual parking area    surrounding the harbor basin and immediately adjacent.

 

            City Staff was then asked to study the recommendations and develop an        implementation plan.  The relevant Departments met in early August, discussed costs,           staffing, enforcement and public acceptance.  A consensus was formed to present a        phased plan to the City Council for consideration concurrent with Department Budget           Requests for 2005.

 

 

Spit Parking Implementation Plan

Phase I Spring 2005

 

            Objectives

1)                 Organize the most congested harbor access points.

2)                 Introduce ‘pay to park’ concept while providing necessary and desirable improvements.

3)                 Achieve safety goals by better delineation and enforcement of fire lanes.

4)                 Improve ADA accessibility in four key locations.

 

            Project Description

                        Asphalt pave the driveways and associated parking spaces between the top of                                 each Ramp 1, 2, 3 and 4 and Homer Spit Road.  Delineate handicap parking,                                   loading zones and fire lanes at each location.  Install parking barriers and                                           appropriate signage.  Install one iron ranger fee collection station at each ramp.

 

            Ramp 1

                        Approx. Dimensions             170’ x 65’ =                11, 050 sq. feet

                        Approx. # of Spaces 15

            Ramp 2

                        Approx. Dimensions             170’ x 85’ =                14, 450 sq. feet

                        Approx. # of Spaces 30       

            Ramp 3

                        Approx. Dimensions             175’ x 80’ =                14, 000 sq. feet

                        Approx. # of Spaces 40

            Ramp 4

                        Approx. Dimensions             180’ x 80’ =                14, 400 sq. feet

                        Approx. # of Spaces 20

 

            Total Project:

                        Approximate square footage                       53, 900 sq. feet

                        Approximate # of spaces                             105

                        Total Project Cost                                         $200, 000

                        Funding Source                                             Port/Harbor budget reserve

 

 

 

 

Spit Parking Implementation Plan

Page 3 of 4

 

            Fee Structure and Collections

                        Proposed fee of $5 per 24 hour day, 1 day limit at each location.  All other lots                                   would remain free parking during Phase I.  Fee collection would begin May 15,                                  2005 and end September 15, 2005.  Record keeping and collections would be                                 accomplished by current harbor operations staff; augmented by (2) additional                                    Harbor Assistant I, working 3 months each.  (Budget sheet attached)                                       Enforcement would be joint responsibility of Port and Harbor Department and                                    Homer Police Department.  Public education through advertisement, courtesy                                   notices and personal contact is an important part of the Phase 1 implementation                               plan.

 

            Additional Phase I components

1)                 Cross walks installed per DOT/City of Homer agreement.

2)                 Grade, compact and install signs at dredge deposit and dredge de-watering sites for over-flow parking during peak season.

3)                 Begin enforcement of shoulder parking ban along Homer Spit Road between Ramp 3 and Ramp 4.  This is a safety hazard causing bicyclists and pedestrians to use the roadway for transit.  Signs will need to be re-installed and courtesy notices printed and distributed.  Enforcement will be joint responsibility of Port and Harbor Department and Homer Police Department.

 

Phase II

 

            Phase II would involve additional paving improvements concentrating on the remaining         key areas of congestion, i.e. Steel Grid parking lot, Seafarers Memorial parking lot,        Salty Dawg and Harbormasters parking lot.  Fee parking would be instituted in these       lots as they are improved and as appropriate.  All other lots would remain free parking.

 

            Emphasis would be placed on creation of additional parking areas, i.e. west side     parking pods, enforcement of lease parking standards and public education.              Improvements in the Ramp 6 area may also draw congestion away from the core area.

 

            Costs of these improvements would come from parking revenues and Port/Harbor    budget reserves.

 

Phase III

 

            Phase III would involve the completion of paving in the major parking areas surrounding        the Small Boat Harbor.  Phase III would involve fee and permit parking.  RFP for             management, collection and enforcement of parking may be considered for this phase.         Construction funding could include parking revenues, Port/Harbor Reserves and/or     revenue bonds.

 

            Phase III considerations could include shuttle service from off-site parking.  Improved            bicycle access through joint DOT/City efforts to complete the Harbor Pedestrian         walkways.  The enforcement of lease parking standards would continue and        improvements and commercial development at Ramp 6 could help reduce core area            congestion.

 

Spit Parking Implementation Plan

Page 4 of 4

 

Conclusion

 

            Staff at the Port and Harbor Department is dedicated to offering our customers and the       public safe and reasonable access to their boats and the myriad of commercial    businesses surrounding the Small Boat Harbor.  The safety and convenience of our             customers are currently compromised during the peak season in the core areas of our         business.  These problems have developed over time and current budget and     manpower restrictions dictate that the solutions will also have to develop over time.  The      Spit Parking Implementation Plan outlined above is offered for discussion as a means to             achieve better and safer access for our customers.

 

 

Attachments:

1)     Port and Harbor Commission memo of April 6, 2004

2)     Department Budget Request Year 2005 – Paving

3)     Department Budget Request Year 2005 – Harbor Assist. I

4)     Aerial photo of project area