Title
Introduction of Ordinance Amending the Alameda Municipal Code by Amending Section 12-2.3 (Location) of Article I (Parking Lots) of Chapter XII (Designated Parking) and by Repealing and Replacing current Section 12-4.12 (Reserved) of Article I (Parking Lots) in its Entirety to Authorize the City Manager or Designee to Establish and Modify Hours of Operation for the Civic Center Parking Structure.
In accordance with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), this action is categorically exempt from further environmental review pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15301 (Existing Facilities). (Public Works 26541641)
Body
To: Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Council
From: Adam W. Politzer, Interim City Manager
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Staff recommends City Council adopt an ordinance to amend Section 12-2.3 of the City of Alameda (City) Municipal Code. This would remove an outdated reference to a former employee parking lot location that no longer exists.
The ordinance would also repeal and replace Section 12-4.12 of the Alameda Municipal Code (AMC). This would authorize the City Manager or their designee to establish and modify hours of operation for the Civic Center Parking Structure.
BACKGROUND
Section 12-2.3 of the AMC references 2216 Lincoln Avenue as a City employee parking lot; however, that parking lot location no longer exists and has since been redeveloped.
The City owns and operates public off-street parking facilities, some of which have designated areas for City employee parking. The Civic Center Parking Structure is not only a main parking supply for the downtown area, it is where City employees who work at City Hall or other City facilities in this area have designating parking. To improve safety at the Civic Center Parking Garage and generally improve its usability, City Council approved funding for improvements at the facility including, among other improvements, security enhancements that allow the facility to be closed to the public after hours. Currently, while the Civic Center Parking Garage has posted operating hours from 5:00 a.m. to 1:30 a.m., seven days a week, the facility cannot be physically closed overnight.
Prior to the start of constructing the improvements, a survey was conducted to gather input garage users, specifically the general public and City staff. The survey informed the need to secure the facility overnight due to ongoing vandalism concerns and sought feedback about the hours of operation. More than 550 responses were received. Most respondents indicated a preference for closing the facility at midnight and reopening at 6:00 a.m.
Staff also reviewed comparable agencies public parking structures in the City of Berkeley, City of San Leandro, and City of Emeryville. These facilities generally close overnight, with most closing at midnight.
In addition, staff conducted late-night parking occupancy counts over a three-week period at both curbside locations and other off-street public parking lots within the downtown business district. Data was collected between the hours of 10:00 p.m. and 2:00 a.m., on both weekdays and weekends, to assess peak evening demand. The results indicated that the Civic Center Parking Structure operated at an average occupancy of approximately three percent during these hours, while the surrounding downtown area within a five-block radius maintained over 70 percent vacancy.
Based on survey input, a review of comparable agencies, and parking occupancy data collection, staff seeks to modify the hours of operation for the Civic Center Parking Structure, pending City Council’s adoption of the proposed ordinance.
DISCUSSION
The proposed ordinance includes two primary components:
1. Amendment to Section 12-2.3 (Employee Parking Lots)
The amendment removes the outdated reference to 2216 Lincoln Avenue.
2. Repeal and Replacement of Section 12-4.12 (Civic Center Parking Structure Operations)
The proposed ordinance also repeals and replaces AMC Section 12-4.12 to establish authority for the Public Works Director to establish hours of operation for the Civic Center Parking Structure. This is consistent with authority the City Manager or their designee already has under AMC Section 12-4.3 to establish the hours of operation for public off-street parking lots.
Key provisions include:
• Authorizing the Interim City Manager or designee to establish and modify hours of operation as needed to support public safety, maintenance activities, and efficient parking operations
• Requiring that hours of operation be posted on-site
• Establishing that it is unlawful to park, leave, or occupy a vehicle in the facility outside of posted hours of operation, unless authorized
• Establishing that vehicles left in the facility outside of posted hours are subject to citation or other enforcement action
Following final passage and the effective date of the ordinance, staff anticipates adjusting operating hours to align with the completion of the Civic Center Parking Garage improvements. Staff will conduct outreach and education to ensure users are informed of the new hours.
These updates will provide clear operational authority, improve enforcement consistency, and allow the City to manage parking facilities more effectively over time.
ALTERNATIVES
• Accept the ordinance as drafted.
• Direct staff to revise the ordinance.
• Do not accept the ordinance and provide alternative direction.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
There are no direct fiscal impacts associated with adoption of the proposed ordinance. Potential changes in revenue from parking fees or citations resulting from modified operating hours at the Civic Center Parking Garage will be evaluated in the context of overall facility operations. Adjustments to operating hours are expected to support more efficient management of the facility, reduce vandalism, and help maintain the structure in a safe and functional condition over time.
MUNICIPAL CODE/POLICY DOCUMENT CROSS REFERENCE
This action amends Section 12-2.3 (Location) of Article I (Parking Lots) of Chapter XII (Designated Parking), of the Alameda Municipal Code.
This action also Repeals and Replaces current Section 12-4.12 (Reserved) of Article I (Parking Lots) in its entirety to Authorize the Public Works Director to Establish and Modify Hours of Operation for the Civic Center Parking Structure.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
In accordance with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), this action is categorically exempt from further environmental review pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15301 (Existing Facilities).
CLIMATE IMPACT
There are no identifiable climate impacts or climate action opportunities associated with the subject of this report.
RECOMMENDATION
Introduce an ordinance amending the Alameda Municipal Code by amending Section 12-2.3 (Location) of Article I (Parking Lots) of Chapter XII (Designated Parking) and by repealing and replacing current Section 12-4.12 (Reserved) of Article I (Parking Lots) in its entirety to authorize the Interim City Manager or designee to Establish and modify hours of operation for the Civic Center Parking Structure.
Respectfully submitted,
Erin Smith, Public Works Director
By,
Ricardo De La Torre, Parking Manager
Financial Impact section reviewed,
Ross McCarthy, Finance Director