Reports tabled at the Special Meeting of Council on Wednesday date held at the Council Conference and Reception at City Hall, 57 Little Malop Street, Geelong.
Source: |
Chief Executive |
Chief Executive Officer: |
Martin Cutter |
Portfolio: |
Finance |
To provide Council with the opportunity to consider corrective action on increases to the budgeted 2019-2020 fees for capped all-day on street parking and 3-hour and 4-hour capped parking in the Geelong CBD and request management undertake a review of all budgeted 2019-2020 fees and charges to identify any significant increase in fees and charges that were not included in the budget consultation process for further consideration.
On 1 July 2019 the City implemented new fees and charges for the financial year. This included an increase for on-street car parking hourly rates from $2.90 to $3.00.
Additionally, there were increases to off-street permit parking monthly fees, and off-street all-day car parking fees at the Haymarket and Corio Street car parks, with fees rising from $10.80 to $13.00 per day.
Consequently, on-street car parking fees across the Geelong CBD were recast for capped 3-hour, 4- hour and all-day on-street car parking. Approximately 290 car parks are impacted along parts of Western Beach Road, Eastern Beach Road, Ritchie Boulevard, Brougham Street, Bellarine Street and the Little Ryrie Street car park.
All-day on-street car parking fees were increased to align with the fees for off-street all-day car parking to provide consistency.
The City’s 2019-2020 budget process included exhibiting key changes to fees and charges. However, it became evident on 1 July that not all key changes to the City’s fees and charges were exhibited. For parking fees, key changes that were made but unintentionally not exhibited include:
Capped all-day on-street parking from - $5.80 to $13.00;
3-hour parking capped from - $5.80 to $7.00;
4-hour parking capped from - $3.50 to $8.00; and
4-hour parking capped (high occupancy) from - $5.80 to $9.00.
The above fee increase was not communicated to the Council or community, and those members of our community who use on-street all-day car parking were not appropriately advised of the increase.
As consultation did not occur, it is appropriate that Council seek to implement actions that restore faith in the process.
In addition to any corrective action on the parking fees and charges, it is important that a comprehensive analysis be undertaken of all budgeted 2019-2020 fees and charges to identify any significant increase in fees and charges that were not included in the budget consultation process for further consideration by Council.
Councillor Harwood moved, Councillor Murrihy seconded -
That Council:
Revert the 2019/20 budgeted fees charged for capped on-street all-day, 3-hour and 4-hour parking in the Geelong CBD to the 2018/19 rate. Effective from 7am on Monday 8 July 2019; and
Request the Chief Executive Officer to:
Review all budgeted 2019/20 fees and charges to identify any significant increase in fees and charges that were not included in the budget consultation process for further consideration by Council;
Review and investigate the oversight of disclosing to Councillors the budget and the community parking fee charge increases for on street all day, 3 hour and 4 hour parking in Geelong CBD and report back to Councillors the outcome of the investigation by 31 August 2019;
Review the process for setting all fees and charges and report back to Council on measures required to ensure that future changes to budgeted fees and charges are subject to appropriate Council oversight and community consultation; and
Consider and develop an appropriate strategy for setting parking fees in the Geelong CBD to inform the next budget process.
Carried.
Division Requested:
For: Councillors Aitken, Grzybek, Harwood, Kontelj, Murrihy, Mason, Asher, Sullivan, Nelson
Against: Nil
2019-2020 fee increases for capped on-street all day, 3-hour and 4-hour parking have potential budget impacts in the order of $500,000 to $600,000 per annum. The all-day parking makes up approximately $480,000 of this income.
The process for resetting parking meter fees takes at least 48 hours.
The 2019-2020 budget consultation process included exhibiting key fees and charges increases. The process did not include all increases and only published approximately 260 of the 1800 fees and charges of the City. The process to exhibit only key fees and charges increased has been the practice at the City for some years. This process will be reviewed by the City in preparation of the 2020-2021 budget.
Fees and charges are currently published on the City’s website.
It is important that the budget consultation process provided opportunities for all the community to participate and provide comment, including the City’s fees and charges.
Fees are set by the City and are subject to annual adjustment in line with the Council’s Fees and Charges Policy. The application of a more consistent all-day parking fee for on-street and off-street is in line with the City’s policy.
Decisions about fees and charges is delegated by Council to the City’s Chief Executive Officer.
Fees and charges of the City provide revenue to support the delivery of services to the community, linking to the Council Plan initiative: Innovative Finances and Technology.
No officers declared a conflict of interest on this matter.
A failure to provide adequate opportunities for public consultation on key budget initiatives may undermine public trust in the Council, the City and its processes.
There are no environmental implications relevant to this matter.
As there was no further business the meeting closed at 7:36pm on Tuesday 4 July 2019.
Signed: _________________________________________
Councillor Bruce Harwood (Mayor)
Date of Confirmation: _____________________________
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