Title
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An Ordinance Amending Chapter 15 (“Motor Vehicles and Traffic”), Article 3 (“Parking Meters, Parking Permits, and Municipal Attendant Parking Lots”), Section 18 (“Parking Rates; Parking Meters, Pay by Space Machines, Village Operated Parking Structures, Permit, Extended Pass, Valet and Daytime on Street Permit Parking”) of the Oak Park Village Code to Revise the Village’s Employee Discount Parking Program
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Introduction
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The proposed Ordinance, pursuant to the Village Board's Goal of Vibrant, Diverse, and Connected Neighborhoods, would codify staff’s recommended revisions to the Village’s Employee Discount Parking Program.
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Recommended Action
Staff recommends approval of the proposed Ordinance.
Prior Board Action
The Board has taken the following prior action(s):
• On November 21, 2022, the Village Board adopted Ordinance 22-86, changing the renewal cycle for the program from monthly to quarterly and increasing the number of program cards eligible for sale.
• On August 1, 2022, the Village Board adopted Ordinance 22-54, increasing the maximum earning limit for program participants from $14 per hour or less to $20 per hour or less.
Background
The Employee Discount Parking Program enables licensed Oak Park businesses to purchase quarterly discount cards for employee use at the Village’s Holley Court and Avenue parking garages. These cards provide reduced daily parking rates specifically for employees earning $20 per hour or less, as attested to by their employers. Discounted parking is only available on the roof level of each garage at the following rates:
0 to 1.5 hours FREE
1.5 to 6 hours $2
6 to 12 hours $3
12+ hours Standard daily rates apply
Aligned with the 2024-2025 Village Board goal of fostering Vibrant, Diverse, and Connected Neighborhoods, staff in the Development Services Department were directed to explore alternative or expanded eligibility criteria to increase program accessibility to lessen parking pressures for neighborhoods in and around business districts. In support of this goal, staff hosted a stakeholder engagement meeting on October 31, 2024, with representatives from Downtown Oak Park, the Hemingway Business District, and the Oak Park and River Forest Chamber of Commerce. During the meeting, staff presented an overview of the current program, reviewed 2022 Village Board-approved changes, and shared proposed revisions aimed at expanding eligibility. Stakeholder feedback was uniformly positive, with no objections or concerns raised. The proposed revisions are as follows:
1. Increase the program’s maximum employee earning limit by 3% annually with a one-time 9% escalator effective in the third quarter of 2025 to account for prior years without adjustment;
2. Monitor discount card sales and, if warranted, increase the number of cards sold to maximize utilization by eligible program participants; and
3. As part of the planned technology and operations assessment of the Village’s parking garages, reassess the need to have Employee Discount Parking Program participants park within the nested roof areas of the parking garages.
Timing Considerations
Discount cards are sold on a quarterly basis. Quarter 3 cards (covering July 1 through September 30) will go on sale beginning June 25, 2025. If the proposed change to the maximum employee earning limit is approved, staff will notify participating businesses via email ahead of Quarter 3 implementation. In addition, the update will be promoted through the Village website, social media channels, and the Village Manager’s weekly report to ensure broad community awareness.
Budget Impact
It is possible that revenue could be adversely impacted if customers of the garage currently paying standard daily parking rates become eligible for and choose to participate in the Employee Discount Parking Program as a result of the revisions outlined in the proposed Ordinance. Staff anticipates the proposed revisions could attract new customers for the garages that previously sought alternative private or public parking. Staff will continue to analyze the financial implications if the Village Board adopts the proposed Ordinance.
Staffing Impact
There is no staffing impact associated with this item.
DEI Impact
The Employee Discount Parking Program advances equity and inclusion by reducing transportation costs for lower-wage workers, who are often from historically underrepresented and economically disadvantaged groups. By setting an income eligibility threshold-currently $20 per hour-that will increase by 3% annually, and applying a one-time 9% escalator in Q3 2025 to account for prior years without adjustment, the program ensures that support keeps pace with wage growth and inflation. This approach strengthens access to employment in Oak Park’s business districts, fosters economic mobility, and reinforces the Village’s commitment to inclusive and equitable community development.
Community Input
Stakeholder feedback obtained at the October 31, 2024, engagement meeting was uniformly positive.
Staff Recommendation
Staff recommends adoption of the proposed Ordinance, resulting in the following revisions to the Village’s Employee Discount Parking Program:
1. Increase the program’s maximum employee earning limit by 3% annually with a one-time 9% escalator effective in the third quarter of 2025 to account for prior years without adjustment;
2. Monitor discount card sales and, if warranted, increase the number of cards sold to maximize utilization by eligible program participants; and
3. As part of the planned technology and operations assessment of the Village’s parking garages, reassess the need to have Employee Discount Parking Program participants park within the nested roof areas of the parking garages.
Advantages:
• Raising the maximum employee earning limit by 3% annually helps the program stay aligned with inflation and wage growth, ensuring continued eligibility for participants over time.
• The one-time 9% escalator in Q3 of 2025 compensates for stagnant thresholds in previous years, effectively catching up the program to more current economic realities. This move promotes fairness for those who may have been edged out due to outdated limits.
• If warranted, increasing the number of discount cards available for sale ensures higher utilization and supports broader participation.
• As part of the comprehensive technology and operations review of the garages, evaluating whether participants must park in the nested roof areas could improve accessibility and user satisfaction.
Disadvantages:
• The increased maximum earning limit could result in a decrease in overall revenue if those individuals were previously paying the full daily rate.
• The annual adjustment to the earning limit requires ongoing administrative effort to communicate the changes to existing and prospective participating businesses.
• Expanding eligibility might cause tension among non-eligible employees or residents who may view the program as unfair or overly generous. (No significant concerns to date)
• More participants and increased card sales could lead to overcrowding, reducing availability or convenience for current users of the garage that are accustomed to existing capacity and availability.
Alternatives
Alternative 1:
Deny the Ordinance, keeping the program as it currently exists.
Advantages:
• Revenue streams would remain unaffected.
• There would be no need to communicate any revisions to the participating or prospective businesses.
• There would be no tension among non-eligible employees or residents who may have viewed the revised program as unfair or overly generous.
• The lower levels of the garage would remain unimpacted for daily parkers paying standard rates and residential and commercial parking permit holders.
Disadvantages:
• Eligibility requirements for the program would not stay aligned with inflation and wage growth.
• Program participants would be required to continue to park in the nested roof area.
Anticipated Future Actions
There are no anticipated future actions in relation to this item.
Prepared By: Sean Keane, Parking & Mobility Services Manager
Reviewed By: Craig Failor, Development Services Director
Approved By: Kevin J. Jackson, Village Manager
Attachment(s):
1. Ordinance 25-144
2. Ordinance 22-86
3. Ordinance 22-54
4. Employee Discount Parking Program Guidelines and Application