Easton Gets Free Parking During Holiday Season Again

By Christina Georgiou

The City of Easton is offering free parking on weekends for
the holiday shopping season, beginning on Black Friday.

Those shopping or dining in Easton this coming holiday season will be greeted with the gift of free parking on selected days.

Fees will be waived on Friday, Nov. 29, Saturday, Nov. 30, and Sunday, Dec. 1, as well as on the subsequent three Saturdays and Sundays in December for all metered parking, along with parking in the public lots on South Third Street, North Third and Fourth streets, and in the Joseph's, Perkins, and Church Street lot  locations.

City council voted in favor of a resolution Wednesday evening that provides for the fees to be waived. The custom of offering free parking on weekends during the holiday season is becoming somewhat of a tradition, with this being at least the third year in a row that fees will be waived.

City Administrator Reports Easton Parking Revenue Is Up

By Christina Georgiou

"Substantial" traffic from visitors to the Crayola Experience museum is generating the City of Easton more cash in the form of parking revenue, Glenn Steckman, the city's administrator told city council members Wednesday evening.

The city's parking deck brought in approximately $95,000 in daily parking receipts on top of rents from monthly tenants in July, up from about $64,000 during the same month last year he said.

And, an additional $18,000 per week is being deposited in Downtown parking meters, Steckman reported.

"We are expecting a similar amount in August," he said. "It's slightly higher than we projected, so we're pleased...It's good news that our revenues are strong in this regard."

Construction on the new transportation center and city hall on South Third Street, expected to begin next month, will gobble up some of the parking at the former Perkin's site though, and the city is planning on taking steps to prevent a shortfall of parking for next summer, Steckman said.

Looking at places where more metered street parking spots could be added, along with possibly leasing another piece of land until the new city parking deck that is part of the intermodal complex is complete are both things the city is considering, he added.

While it's likely that the number of visitors during the week to Crayola will drop once school begins again, the demand for parking on weekends is expected to remain high during the fall. Steckman said that with upcoming city festivals on those days too, the city needs to continue to keep the need for parking in the center of the city in mind and take appropriate steps to ensure it's available.

During the recent Lebanese Heritage Days festival, the city parking deck filled up and had to be closed a few times until some spots were freed up, he added.

"Depending on when construction (on the new transportation center) starts, we're considering moving some city vehicles (out of the Perkin's lot)," he said.

Steckman also reported at Wednesday evening's city council meeting that the city auction held last weekend netted about $36,000.

"In the years I've seen the city auction, we had an outstanding turn out. It was very well attended," he said.

Among the notable items up for bid were a city fire truck and numerous antique city street signs, which were reportedly very popular. The truck went for $2,500, and the signs brought in a total of about $7,000.

"Some things went for a lot more than I though they would, and some things went for less than I thought they would," he added.

Easton City Council Grants Free Parking on Heritage Day

By Christina Georgiou

If you're going to attend Easton's 36th Annual Heritage Day, you don't have to worry about feeding a parking meter, since Easton City Council voted Wednesday evening to suspend metered parking enforcement in the Downtown district for the day.

A resolution introduced by Councilwoman El Warner calls for free curbside parking on Sunday, July 7.

Councilman Roger Ruggles initially worried free parking on Heritage Day would cause problems down the road.

"My concern is, if we suspend for this, what about other days, like the Garlic Festival?" he asked.

Warner said however, Heritage Day is a special circumstance, more so than other festivals held in the city.

"It's the city's festival. It's about our heritage," she said, adding that Heritage Day is Easton's largest, most widely attended festival of the year. "This is the first year we've enforced meters on Sundays, so this is the first year we've had to do this."

City administrator Glenn Steckman said he worried free parking on Heritage Day would "create an anticipation of free parking" and cause a bigger problem on a day when parking is already limited due to street closures.

But the council voted 6-0 in favor of the resolution. Councilwoman Sandra Vulcano was not present.

Warner said council may look at changing the city parking ordinance in the near future and switch July 4th for Heritage Day as a defined holiday when parking enforcement is not in effect.

That wasn't done this year because there wasn't enough time between realizing Sunday enforcement would affect Heritage Day and the event to enact an ordinance change, so a resolution was used to decree free parking for the day instead.

"Families that are enjoying their time won't have to worry about feeding the meters," Warner said. "The meters have a three hour time limit, but the festival doesn't have a three hour limit."

Also on the subject of parking, an executive order from Mayor Sal Panto issued on Tuesday, June 25, provides for meters to again be placed in the former Perkins parking lot.

Citing a need for additional parking during the summer months when "parking will be at a premium" and ongoing construction projects, the order allows for paid parking at the lot for ninety days.

The site is part of where the Easton's new city hall and transportation center will be built. Construction was originally announced to begin in April, but the date has since been reportedly pushed back to this coming autumn.

New Downtown Parking Lot Won't Get Smart Meters This Year

By Christina Georgiou

The City of Easton's newly acquired parking lot on North Fourth Street will likely open by June, but patrons of the lot will need to bring an ample supply of quarters if they intend to take advantage of the 10-hour time limit.

That's because Easton officials said at last week's city council meeting that they don't have enough smart meters, which accept credit and debit card payments, to spare to cover the 40 spaces the new lot will provide.

It will cost $20,000 to purchase enough of the solar-powered devices to furnish the new lot with the smart meters, as they are $500 apiece, said Mayor Sal Panto.

"We wanted to put them in there, but we just don't have the cash," the mayor said.

At the $1 per hour rate, those parking in the new lot will need an entire roll of quarters to take full advantage of long-term parking in that location. There are few shops in the immediate vicinity to provide the coins too, though it's doubtful most  merchants regularly carry that many to give out.

City administrator Glenn Steckman said it's possible a few spare smart meters might be reallocated to the lot this year.

"Right now, we could probably do a handful (of parking spots)," he said.

Adding a multi-spot payment box that does take card payments is a vague possibility at some point in the future, but Steckman said he doubts that is an ideal solution.

"After what we went through with the multi-space box on South Third Street, I'm not sure," he said. "I will tell you that we may come back next year and ask for more credit card meters, but it probably won't (cover all the places Downtown they're wanted.)...We'd like to do this in phases."

Steckman suggested a solution for the new parking lot on North Fourth Street for now might be to rely on it less for city visitor parking.

"We may also recommend that part of this lot be converted into a residential permit parking lot, and that would help," he said.

Steckman said that the current residential parking permit system allows residents to park on the street, where there are smart meters, and the city loses revenue when that happens.

"If a spot is being parked at by someone with a (annual) $100 residential permit, there's no revenue from that meter for a day or two," he said.

Credit and debit card payments at curbside meters are providing a substantial amount of revenue for the city, Steckman said, adding that $10,471 was collected via the method last month.

Panto noted that the annual rate for Downtown residential parking permits hasn't been raised in about 25 years. He also suggested the system should be changed to allow permit holders to park anywhere in the Downtown district, instead of specific zones, as the system currently allows.

"Originally, the program zoned based on where people were living, but now people are living everywhere Downtown, and some of them can't park," Panto said.

The mayor also said the city needs to put more effort into getting the word out about its new parking program for those employed Downtown in the evenings, which provides workers a discounted rate of 50 cents an hour in the parking deck on South Third Street after 5 p.m.

No Foolin', Parking Rules Will Be Enforced Starting April 1

By Christina Georgiou


One of the City of Easton's new solar-powered parking
meters. The new meters accept card payments, as well
as nickels, dimes, and quarters.



New parking regulations that were approved by Easton City Council late last year  technically went into effect at the beginning of 2013, but due to the practical considerations of installing new meters and signs, the city hasn't been enforcing the new rules.

All of that is set to change this Monday, on April 1, however, as parking enforcement officers will be actively ticketing those who don't feed their meters or overstay time limits without moving their vehicles, city officials warn.

The new hours for metered parking in the city's Downtown district are from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m., Monday through Saturday, and from noon to 6 p.m. on Sundays.

And, as those who park regularly in the city have probably already noticed, the price of metered curbside parking has also increased, to $1 per hour, which is now payable with a debit or credit card, as well as with change. The new solar-powered smart meters also accept silver coinage--that is, nickels, dimes, and quarters--instead of just quarters, which many had complained was limiting and inconvenient.

There is a $1 minimum fee for those using the card option, though there is no minimum payment for those paying with coins.

In less central areas of the Downtown district, the metered parking rate and times will be the same, but motorists may still need a supply of quarters, as not all the city's parking meters have been converted to those that accept card payments.

There is one consolation for those that get caught and ticketed for overtime parking violations: Those that pay their fine within 24 hours or by the close of the next business day, will get a break, and the fine will be reduced to $15.

The reduction is for overtime metered parking only, city officials have said, and won't be applicable for any other parking violations.

Also beginning on Monday, April 1, the city will once again begin its street sweeping program  for the year, and parking regulations designed to allow sweepers curb access will also be in effect.

Those that fail to move their cars during the designated days and times, as posted on the white signs with red lettering in sweeping zones, will be subject to a fine of $25.

There are no changes to the street sweeping program or schedule this year, but drivers should check the signs on city streets anyway, just to be certain they are aware of the proper times and days anyway, city officials said.

Parking Rate Increase Still Months Away

By Christina Georgiou

Easton's City Council approved an increase in metered parking rates from 50 cents an hour to a dollar per hour in December, and the law officially will take effect on Jan. 11, but the motorists aren't likely to be charged at the new rate until April, officials said Wednesday evening.

"We need to buy the (new smart) meters and install them," said City Administrator Glenn Steckman, estimating that the city will actually begin charging the new rate and enforcing extended hours--from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. and from noon to 6 p.m. on Sundays--beginning on April 1.

Switching to the new hours and rates isn't something the city can accomplish overnight, Steckman noted.

"You're talking about 500 to 600 meter heads here," he said.

Not all the Downtown parking meters will be converted to smart meters that accept credit cards, Steckman said--those will be placed at the busiest locations.

Meters in areas further from the commercial center of Downtown will be electronic Duncan meters, though those still need to be recalibrated to reflect the new rates. They also will get stickers to indicate the new hours of operation.

The city will also change the older meters batteries more frequently--every three months instead of every six months--to hopefully cut down on inoperative devices, the city administrator said. The city is also considering adding a phone number on the meters' stickers that people can call to report problems or inoperative devices, he added.

City parking lots will also be converted to central pay-box systems in the coming weeks. The parking lot pay boxes will be installed soon by city public works employees, Steckman said.

Those boxes, along with the new smart meters, will display the rates and hours of operation automatically, once placed.

"They'll have everything you need to know," Steckman said.

He estimated the converting the whole parking system over to the new rates and hours will take city workers a total of 30 to 40 days, barring bad weather.

"If we get a foot of snow, all bets are off on certain things, " he said.

Mayor Sal Panto said the city will be communicating with Easton Main Street and the Easton Business Association to keep city businesses in the loop about the coming changes, and that the city doesn't plan to take a hard line on enforcement as the new system is implemented.

"The first couple of weeks, we'll (have parking enforcement officers) give warnings after 6 p.m.," Panto said.

Easton City Council Passes 2013 Budget with Parking Rate Hike Unanimously

By Christina Georgiou

Members of Easton's City Council passed the proposed 2013 budget unanimously Wednesday evening.

Related ordinances that support the budget, including changes to the city's parking meter rates, also passed unanimously, though two council members said they were "ambivalent" about that part of the city's financial blueprint for the coming year.

"I'm not that happy about raising the meters to $1 an hour. I was happier with 75 cents," said Councilwoman El Warner. "I'm not really happy, but I understand it, and I'm not sure what the alternative would be."

Councilman Jeff Warner had similar thoughts.

"Do I like everything in this budget? No," he said. "But I've come to the conclusion that it's a solid, balanced budget."

Parking meter rates will increase to $1 per hour and the hours of operation will be extended, from to 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Saturday and from noon to 6 p.m. on Sundays, starting on January 1.

But the budget holds the line on property taxes for 2013. In addition to the parking meter increase, residents will pay a small increase in garbage rates, some user fees will go up and the city will collect a "commuter tax"--an Earned Income Tax (EIT) from those who work but do not live in the city as well as from residents.

"At least there's no tax increase, and with (parking) meters you make the choice to use it or not. With a tax increase, there's no choice," Warner noted.

Looking ahead to 2014, as required by the city's Home Rule Charter, Mayor Sal Panto said the city hopes to again avoid a tax increase, though a number of expenses are expected to rise by about two percent, estimated by the consumer price index and a number of increases called for by city contracts.

He said while normally at this time looking ahead to the following year, city finance administrators estimate a $1.5 to 2 million budget gap and then work to bridge it, this year the gap is much smaller.

"Next year's budget gap is projected at $527,000," Panto said, adding that he feels confident the shortfall will be bridged.

2013 City Budget, Proposed Solar Ordinance Slated for Adoption

By Christina Georgiou

Easton City Council is likely to adopt the proposed 2013 city budget this evening, along with an increase in parking rates and an extension of hours, after discussing the plan at their workshop meeting Tuesday evening.

Once again, the issues of parking and parking meters dominated the discussion.

City officials said they would be voting on the budget ordinance, and the related parking ordinance to support it, as it was introduced at their last regular meeting, on Nov. 28.

No further changes are anticipated to the plan to raise parking meter rates to $1 per hour and extend the hours of operation to 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Saturday and add hours from noon to 6 p.m. on Sundays at this time, the mayor and council members said.

While some council members have seemed opposed to the changes, all seemed likely to vote in favor of them.

"My understanding is that the budget only balances if we approve (parking) at $1," said Councilwoman El Warner.

City Administrator Glenn Steckmann said having metered parking in operation from  noon to 6 p.m. on Sundays is for the convenience of and to garner revenue from those visiting Crayola.

"That way they won't have to leave Crayola to feed the meters," he said.

Officials said they plan to distribute placards to Downtown church religious leaders that they can give to worshippers so they won't have to worry about getting a ticket while attending services.

"Our goal is not to have someone walk out of church to a ticket," Steckman said.

council members also discussed whether it might be a good idea to amend the proposed hours meters would be in effect in the evenings, but were uncertain if the move would require the ordinance to be readvertised. City solicitors were not present Tuesday evening.

"I think we're locked into whatever we've said all along," said Councilman Ken Brown.

"I'm willing to go to the $1, with 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. That's what last came out of this room and what people expect us to vote on. Any other changes, I think we'd need another budget ordinance," said Mayor Sal Panto. "It can alway be adjusted mid-year. The only thing it affects is a line item. We'd have to look for the money then."

"I'm done with discussing parking for the rest of my life," Warner said.

In other business, the council held a hearing to discuss enacting an ordinance that would regulate the placement of solar collectors in the city.

The proposed law is designed to spell out where and how they can be placed, and to preempt potential conflicts that could arise from collectors being blocked by future development, city officials say.

Council engaged in little discussion on the matter, and there were no comments from members of the public either.

The ordinance is set to be introduced formally in January. Officials noted that public hearings would be held again at that time to hear input from any interested members of the public.

They added that unless a matter of pressing importance comes up suddenly, the meeting tonight, Wednesday, Dec. 12, will be the last city council meeting of the year.

Public Airs Thoughts on Proposed Metered Parking Rate Hike

By Christina Georgiou

A number of members of the Easton business community, along with Easton City Council members, offered their thoughts on the possibility of city officials voting to raise the rate for metered parking rates and extending meters' hours of operation at the city council meeting Wednesday evening.

Several business owners spoke against the doubling of the rate, though none seemed as upset about the idea of going from the current 50 cents an hour to 75 cents.

Others felt running the meters until 9 p.m. was too much.

Anthony Marraccini, who is a board member of the Greater Easton Development Partnership (GEDP) as well as co-owner of Connexions gallery, said he feels that $1 per hour has the potential to drive away customers.

"I'm deeply concerned abou this proposal. The restaurant sector is doing well...the retail sector is struggling," Marraccini said. "I feel like we're missing the boat a bit with people doing what they're supposed to do...On my block, it's an issue of compliance. If I see half the people feeding the meter, that's a lot."

While some of the money from the proposed increase would go to pay for solar-powered smart meters, Easton officials have said the new revenue generated by increased rates and extended times will support GEDP and its Main Street Initiative and Amabassadors--both programs many cite as being vital to the city's continued growth as a destination and attraction.

Easton Business Association president Curt Ehly said the move would likely be a damper on  these goals.

"We're kind of at a tipping point, and this could tip things the other way," Ehly said. "We're not Bethlehem. It's going in a Bethlehem direction, but we're not Bethlehem."

Ehly also worried increased revenue would go to paying for increased sewer costs more than the GEDP programs.

"I would like to see the sewer rate increases passed on to us (instead)," he said.

Easton School of Rock owner Ray Thierrin said he worried what extending metered parking hours into the evenings would do to his business, which is largely composed of underage students driven to evening lessons by their parents who often wait for their kids rather than drive back home.

"It will hurt if people have to pay an extra $2 just to enjoy our lobby," Thierrin said.

He added that he's willing to help find a way to help them around that.

"The reason we're in Easton is because of the Main Street program," Thierrin said. "Part of the attraction is what's going on. If there's a way the businesses can help with parking, I'm all for it."

While his business is service-oriented and doesn't have evening hours, American Printing owner Fran Pinter expressed concerns at the proposed new hours.

"I think the hours are wrong," Pinter said. "I really think you need to evaluate whether 9 in the evening is the right thing...You're going to piss off more people. I think we could easitly add an hour, but I don't think 9 o'clock makes sense."

He added, "I can guarantee more people will go to park illegally in (private) lots where they don't belong."
Pinter also said he feels the proposal to ticket "lazy double parking" is unenforceable.

And, the residential parking permit system needs some tweaking too, he said, and the city should especially consider adding a probationary period for new residents to allow them time to make the proper license and registration changes to get their stickers.

Mayor Sal Panto said after his daughter had problems getting a residential permit, he agrees with the idea, and also that if the new parking proposals pass, he'd like to expand the Downtown resident permit parking areas as well.

Panto also said the city is looking at the possibility of lowering evening rates at the city parking from 5 p.m. to 5 a.m. to 50 cents per hour to encourage more people to park there, especially those who work in the city or, like Thierrin's clients, really don't need street parking.

He added that the city will look at selling $1 disposable cards that can be used in the new smart meters as well, which will be sold to interested city businesses so they can hand them out to customers.

Several council members seem sold on the full rate hike. Speaking in favor of it were councilmen Michael Fleck and Kenneth Brown.

"We have to stop kicking the can down the road," Brown said. "I'm in support of raising the meters, uniformly, across the board."

"We're trying to save Main street and Ambassadors, and somebody has to pay for it," Fleck said.

Others, including El Warner, Roger Ruggles and Jeff Warren seem lukewarm to the full scope of the idea.

Warren has previously said he feels doubling the rate may be too much of a shock to the community.

"With the proposal at 75 cents, it seemed like those programs were secure," Warren said.

While Fleck said out that technically the city ordinance that allows for the rates to be raised is already on the books, passed in a former city budget in 2005, Warner said she thinks it's too much, and that the measure was slipped through.

"I'm not even sure council meant to pass that ordinance. It was an accident," she said. "They just passed the budget."

Councilwoman Sandra Vulcano has said little during the discussions, but offered that she'd like to see a trolley service added.

"Personally, I'd like to see a trolley at the parking garage that would take you to wherever," she said.

Panto said he's still open-minded about the matter, despite having raised the issue of a further hike. But there may not be as much of a choice as before, he warned.

"Our budget is out of balance now. Our sewer authority bill is going up $161,000. It's just like the commuter tax. If we didn't enact the commuter tax, we'd be $3.1 million short," he said. "I will cut the budget before I raise taxes."

The parking rate hike proposal is planned to be discussed again at the city's next budget proposal hearing on Tuesday, Nov. 27 at 6 p.m. in city council chambers in City Hall.

The budget is set to be introduced on Wednesday, Nov. 28, and a final draft will likely be passed on Wednesday, Dec. 13 to comply with the city's Home Rule requirement that a balanced budget be passed by Dec. 15.

Current Parking Rates Could Double, Run 12 Hours Per Day

By Christina Georgiou

Easton City Council members considered further raising parking rates from the current 50 cents an hour to $1 and enforcing metered parking on most days of the week for 12 hours a day at their budget discussion Tuesday evening.

"I don't see any reason we shouldn't go 'til 9," said councilman Roger Ruggles. "It's just easier to remember, 9 to 9...It's just less confusing."\

"I'm on the same page as that--uniformity," said fellow councilman Ken Brown.

With a minimum charge for those using credit cards at the new smart meters the city is testing being $1, the council also seems inclined to making the rate for metered street parking $1 per hour too.

"I think we need to go to $1 too," said Mike Fleck, who also added he feels the city should add a way for those who are ticketed to pay parking fines online.

City officials also said they are considering running metered parking on Sundays, from noon to 9 p.m. as well.

"Here's the question: Do you want Main Street and Ambassadors? This is a great use for that money," said Mayor Sal Panto.

"In 2005, city council raised the rates to a dollar, but then there was a push back," he added.

Only Councilman Jeff Warren voiced uncertainty about doubling the rates.

"I don't believe 75 cents is unreasonable. Is $1 unreasonable? Not necessarily, but that's still a bit of a shock," he said. "A good way to polit the baby is we do the dollar when the new technology comes in."

Some of the rate hike and projected increased revenue from extended meter enforcement times will go to pay for 200 new solar-powered smart meters the city wants to replace some of their 936 parking meters with, city officials have said. While they would be paid for over several years, at about $500 apiece, plus another $30,000 to $40,000 for multi-space meters at city parking lots, the new equipment still needs to be paid for, something a rate hike would do.

Lt. Matthew Lohenitz, who heads the traffic division for the Easton Police Department, said the new meters are easily programmable and that configuring them to be able to take more denominations of change would allow visitors that are just running in and out of shops to be able to just drop small change in their meter rather than having to spend a whole dollar.

"During the day, they're short stays," said Lohenitz of people's parking times. "you're evening stays are the longest, but we're not enforcing then."

"I really don't think people will change their shopping habits over a quarter," said city finance director Chris Heagele.

"The extra quarter could generate an extra $150,000 that could go to Ambassadors and Main Street," Fleck said.

The days of free parking on Sundays also seems likely to end too.

"I talked with the Downtown pastors, and obviously they're concerned," Panto said. "(But) we're paying $500,000 to keep Crayola here, and we need to recoup that."

Panto said parking enforcement times should be noon to 9 p.m. on Sundays because that would reflect when Crayola's opening time. He added that those attending church could be given a placard to put on their cars reflecting that, so they wouldn't be ticketed.

The mayor noted that the change would likely mean the city would issue--and see revenue--from more resident parking permits too.

"As we encourage more people to live Downtown, we want more people to get a parking permit," he said. "We need to do a better job on getting the word out (about them)," Panto said.

Resident parking permits for Downtown residents are $100 per year, and $60 for seniors.

The matter is to be discussed again at Wednesday evening's city council meeting, and the mayor said he encourages the public to join the discussion.

"This needs to get out for us by tomorrow, so people can tell us why we shouldn't do this," he said. "Or why we should."

Panto added that while parking rates may go up, not all areas of the city will immediately be getting the new smart meters.

"They don't become cost effective in all areas. You don't want to put them on Bushkill Street," he said. "In the next few years though, maybe the cost of the wifi will get cheaper, and maybe we'll do all of them."

City council meets again this evening at 6 p.m. on the sixth floor of City Hall, 1 South Third St., where it is expected the matter will be discussed again. The public is encouraged to attend.

Free Parking Approved for the Holiday Season

By Christina Georgiou

While the rates for metered parking may rise for 2013, most holiday shoppers won't have to pay anything at all to park in Downtown Easton on weekend during the holiday season.

Easton City Council members unanimously approved a resolution Wednesday evening that calls for meters to be bagged on Black Friday, and on Saturdays and Sundays thereafter through December.

"We don't actually need Sundays since we don't charge on Sundays," Councilwoman El Warner pointed out.

"We could have an ordinance that provides for Sunday parking before the end of the year," said City Administrator Glenn Steckman.

"We're not going to though," Warner replied.

Downtown parking last year was also free at most locations, with ribbons and a message on the meters that stayed up for the season, but city officials say bagging designated meters is a better option.

"Last year we put ribbons on the meters and people still plugged the meters (with money) so we went to bags this year," said Mayor Sal Panto, adding, "People would see 'free' and get ticketed on weekdays."

A parking enforcement officer will be assigned the duty of bagging and unbagging the meters late on Fridays and early on Mondays.

"Volunteers were suggested, but there could be problems with that," Steckman said.

While the approved measure doesn't state specifically which metered parking areas will be gratis, officials said the areas will include all three Downtown parking lots, Northampton Street from Green Street to Sixth Street and streetside metered parking from Second to Fourth streets and Spring Garden to Ferry streets. Additionally, South Third Street meters beyond Ferry Street will likely be free too.

"It's got to be fair and consistent (to Downtown shops)," Panto said. "Monarch's has been there for 100 years."

The city will likely lose some revenue on the move since no one will be putting change in the bagged devices as they have in past years despite they're being free, but the loss is worth it, Steckman said.

He added that during the period that meters are bagged, the city will also not be enforcing the posted two-hour time limits as strictly so shoppers can take their time in stores and restaurants.

"We wanted to partner with Main Street on this," Steckman said.

Administrators Present Parking Revenue Estimates at Budget Discussion

By Christina Georgiou

Easton City Council members were presented with parking revenue estimates for 2013 during budget discussions at their workshop meeting Tuesday evening.

The numbers were requested after the initial proposed budget presentation by Mayor Sal Panto earlier this month.

Purchasing solar-powered smart meters that take credit and debit
card payments are part of the city administration's
2013 budget proposal.

A rate increase from the current 50 cents to 75 cents an hour at curbside meters will likely net the city an additional $150,000, while if the rate were raised to $1 per hour, the city would raise $250,000 more than in 2012, estimated city Finance Director Chris Heagele.

Running metered curbside parking times from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., instead of the current 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., would likely net the city an additional $65,000. Adding metered parking on Sundays from 1 to 5 p.m. would likely raise $50,000 more in revenue, Heagele said.

"All these numbers are conservative, not liberal (estimates)," Panto added.

All told, the changes and potential rate hike could net the city between $265,000 and $365,000 more parking revenue next year, discounting expenditures associated with the changes.

On the expenditure side of the potential plan, adding multi-space meter boxes to city parking lots would likely cost $40,000, replacing and changing various parking signs, including signage to change the time limit from two to three hours in most areas, would run about $10,000, and the proposed smart meters that would take credit card payments would be about $100,000, members of the administration estimated.

Additionally, giving parking violators a $5 break on their fines if they pay them within one business day would eat about $25,000 in city revenue, the city administrators said.

City Administrator Glenn Steckman said the costs associated with purchasing new smart meters and the parking lot pay systems wouldn't be borne in one year, but stretched out over several years.

When it comes to the multi-space pay stations too, the city needs to test the idea out and see how it goes before a final decision is made, he added.

"We're not just going out and putting in this equipment," Steckman said. "We want to test first and see how it's going to be used."

He said officials expect the pay stations are likely to be more useful and heavily trafficked at places where city visitors park often, such as at the South Third Street parking lot, more than at one where there is a higher proportion of residents' permit parking, such as at the city-owned parking lot on Church Street.

The cost of signs, Steckman said, is somewhat unavoidable whether the city decides to change parking time limits or not.

"The signage, some of that's already in the budget," he said. "We're always replacing signs."

The city is also planning on spending a bit more on parking enforcement personnel in 2013, regardless of whether the rates are raised.

Hiring a full-time parking enforcement officer supervisor is necessary for higher efficiency and good parking enforcement management, Steckman said.

The move would eliminate one part-time position and create a full-time position with benefits, costing the city about $20,000 more.

"It's what we think is a good use, which, frankly, would result in more tickets being issued," Steckman said.

Currently, the city tickets only about 8-9 percent of those parked after meters expired, officials said.

"Ninety-one to 92 percent of expired meters are still going unticketed," confirmed Easton Police Chief Carl Scalzo.

Still, that is two to three times the estimated percentage of those ticketed earlier this year, when the "capture" rate was in the 2 to 5 percent range.

Current digital meters provide the numbers, Scalzo said, noting that they send a signal to enforcement of their status when cars are parked but the meter has expired.

Parking violation fines account for the greatest amount of traffic-related revenue for the city. By comparison, moving violations are likely to put less than $100,000 into city coffers.

"My guess is that it will be at $80,000 to $100,000 for this year," Heagele said. "I don't think we'll go past six figures this year."

"I think it comes down to a best guess situation when it comes to what's being written," Scalzo added.

The proposed 2013 city budget doesn't include any tax hikes, but some fees will be raised or added if budget passes as presented.

While the bulk of those are likely to be mostly in planning and codes fees and are planned to be discussed at the next budget discussion, officials did mention they are leaning towards adding a billing fee to trash and sewer costs.

"We are recommending a $2 a month bill fee--$1 for trash, $1 for sewer--to help with mailing costs," Heagele said, adding the charge would be waived for those recorded with the city as being senior citizens.

Additionally, in 2013, the city expects to spend less on highway cleanup.

"That's directly related to a mild winter last year. Our barns are full (of road salt)," Heagele said.

But the Crayola Experience expansion will likely cost the city a bit more than just the last $100,000 installment of a total $300,000 payment to McDonalds to entice them to move out of their Northampton Street location this past September.

The Crayola store is planning on vacating the space in the Alpha Building it currently rents from the city to reopen in the same space as the children's interactive museum.

"We're assuming that it will remain vacant through the end of the year," Heagele said. "We're taking a conservative approach (when it comes to potential revenue."

Panto said the Crayola Experience is planning on closing for three months at the beginning of 2013, from January through March, to enable its planned expansion.

Another 2013 city budget disscussion, to review and discuss city expenditures, along with a detailed presentation of possible rate hikes for city planning and code enforcement, is set for Tuesday, Oct. 30, at 6 p.m.

Some Thoughts on Proposed Changes to Downtown Parking

opinion

The Girl Next Door

Parking is always a volatile issue, and more so in densely populated areas, so it's no real surprise that  potential changes to Easton's parking regulations have raised some controversy lately.

During the very many discussions about these issues though, I've noticed there are a few potential solutions that seem neglected, or haven't even been discussed.

On the other hand, some proposed changes, like switching the hours metered street parking operate from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.  to 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. actually make a lot of sense.
This is what Northampton Street looks like on any given weekday morning around 8:30 a.m.
What is the purpose of metered parking enforcement at this hour, and exactly who are we ticketing on the rare occasions they are issued? And, if the purpose of parking meters is really to ensure turnover, not revenue, doesn't this seem pretty pointless when there is virtually no one visiting Downtown?

The first is the possibility of offering the first five or ten minutes of parking free. This would allow time for drivers to hunt up some quarters, should they be in short supply. It would also give essentially free parking to those customers the city and businesses should value most—those that come to pick something up, drop off their money and leave.

This can be accomplished with our existing technology too. The meter that 'zeros out' when a vehicle pulls out can just as easily be programmed to start with time on the meter, possibly with a message on the screen, “Welcome to Easton Pennsylvania!”

Everyone loves finding a meter with time on it—it makes them feel like it's going to be a great day. That is exactly what we want when people visit our city. So why aren't we doing it?

Starting with a few minutes on the meter also negates the “unfairness” of the city pocketing change in the form of paid time that is never used.

While many folks seem to love the idea of parking meters that take credit cards, the fact is, the equipment is expensive, estimated at three times the cost of the meters we already have, and they will definitely necessitate that very unpopular rate hike, likely doubling the current rate of 50 cents an hour.

Parking meters that don't take credit cards may actually have a number of advantages...
especially if the first few minutes are free.

Sure, some people don't carry quarters, but should the people who do and like to pay cash really pay more for the convenience of the unprepared? Or for those who are so much better off that a few extras dollars here and there doesn't make a dent?

It could be argued that the less fortunate aren't real customers in the city's Downtown, but this is patently untrue. Even the less well off treat themselves now and again. And they will choose to do so repeatedly in a place they enjoy, one that welcomes them and treats them well. That won't happen in a city that seems willing to bleed them dry before they've had any fun. Their money is as good as anyone else's, and there are more of them nearby than those of the wealthy.

Additionally, in a lousy economy, wouldn't shop owners value those extra few dollars over putting them into the city's coffers, only to pay for a convenience for a few?

Not to mention, what is the message when people feel they have to pull their credit cards out before they've stepped foot in a single shop?

Lastly, keeping parking meters as a cash-only situation is actually very good for shopkeepers, provided they are prepared to make change. And they should be. People looking for change will quite willingly go into any store that has a friendly window sign proclaiming “We have quarters for the meters!”

All those people are potentially new customers—people that otherwise would have passed an unknown shop by without a second glance.

Making change is a form of free advertising and a chance to show off one's wares. Even if they don't buy something that trip, they will remember the shop and come back, or recommend it to others. It also builds community and allows businesses to interact with the public and promote each other.

Mayor Sal Panto recently said that people don't stroll around any more. Well, to a point, he's right—at least about Easton. It's not true at all in places our city has compared itself to, such as New Hope, New York City and Bethlehem, just to name a few.

When the public doesn't know there's anything worth seeing, they don't stay and walk around. And then they don't spend their money here.

But when someone, particularly a business owner or shop clerk tells them about the wonderful little place around the corner or recommends that fabulous ethnic restaurant is or relates what a lovely time one can have on the riverfront just a couple of blocks away, many will.

When they're done and go home, those visitors will tell their friends what a great time they had and what a wonderful city Easton is to visit.

Why would anyone pass that up, to have the public pay double and lose potential customers and dollars?

It could be argued we already pay the Ambassadors to give the public directions and make recommendations, in addition to keeping the streets clean. And, when approached, they do a great job. Truly.

But really, when was the last time you were in an unfamiliar city and asked a person pushing a broom, picking up trash or planting flowers their opinion on fine dining? Maybe if the back of their shirts said something like, “I'm an expert on all things Easton. Ask me!” instead of “Clean and Safe” those questions would come their way more often.

However, for now, until that happens, until we are New Hope or New York City (both of which, it might be added, have few or no parking meters that take credit cards!), or, best yet, we get back to being the City of Easton everyone remembers of old, we need every trick in the book to have people spend their dollars in our shops and restaurants, not to mention salons and other fine service establishments, and their spare change in our meters.

With at least a five or six hour limit at most of them, so they can stay as long as they like.

Anything less is telling people to go home and to take their spending money with them.

Full disclosure: Once upon a time, the author had a very successful little bead and vintage jewelry shop in New Hope. Which regularly dispensed a solid $50 or more in quarters every summer weekend. She probably got ten dollars in sales for every dollar changed, along with some of her best customers, who ultimately spent a lot more than that. She credits an eight-by-ten-inch cheerily hand-lettered sign that said...“We have quarters for the meters.”