Parking Policy Meeting
August 14, 2008
FIRST PARKING POLICY MEETING
The Finance Committee has recommended that a parking fee – $20 per month for one vehicle, $50 per month for two vehicles – be instituted. This requires a policy change, which must be approved by the general membership. Some members feel strongly that this is a good idea; others feel that it is not. So the Board of Directors decided it would be prudent to have open discussions on the topic where all members could express their opinions on whether or not to change the policy. Members attending this meeting came up with the following list of pros and cons on the subject of instituting a parking fee, in no particular order. We welcome your comments.
PRO
1. Those able to afford a car should be able to pay for parking it.
2. Auditor supports parking charge
3. Must raise revenue for upcoming repairs.
4. Charges must increase (per stall) for 2nd vehicle.
5. Charges must be means tested.
6. Revenue is needed for sustainability of the co-op.
7. Everyone is paying for the parkade, even if they don’t have a car.
8. The cost of the parkade is approximately 25% of the cost of the mortgage we pay.
9. Every unit in the co-op pays $83/month for the parkade, excluding power, insurance, ventilation and maintenance.
10. Individuals are assigned exclusive right to stall.
11. People without parking should not subsidize those who have it.
12. People object to subsidizing the private automobile.
13. If members with cars give up stalls, space in the parkade would be freed up for other uses.
14. Membership has the power to control the amount of special charges.
CON
1. No cap on the charge.
2. Fixed income imposes a burden.
3. Seniors should be able to have cars.
4. A vehicle is essential to some members.
5. Could lead to user charges for other co-op facilities.
6. Members shouldn’t have to pay for shared space.
7. May cause controversy among members.
8. Goes against co-op philosophy.
9. Parkade is a common area.
10. Parkade was required in co-op construction by city zoning laws.
11. Parkade includes other uses, such as recycling and maintenance storage shed.
Barb Daniels chaired meeting John Leighton assisted