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An Ordinance Amending Chapter 15 (“Motor Vehicles and Traffic”) Section 15-3-18(H) of the Oak Park Village Code Regarding the High Volume Business Parking Validation Program
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Introduction
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The agenda item recommends amending Chapter 15 (“Motor Vehicles and Traffic”) Section 15-3-18(H) of the Oak Park Village Code related to the High Volume Business Parking Validation Program.
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Recommended Action
Adopt the Ordinance.
Prior Board Action
The Board has taken the following prior action:
• On November 15, 2010, the Village Board adopted Ordinance 2010-O-74 establishing the High Volume Business Parking Validation Program.
Background
The High Volume Business Parking Validation Program was established to provide qualifying businesses with a convenient and cost-effective way to offer parking validation to their customers utilizing Village Garage Parking Structures. The program helps businesses attract and retain customers by reducing parking costs and encouraging longer visits to Oak Park's commercial districts.
The existing ordinance is limited to the Holley Court Parking Structure and requires participating businesses to purchase and maintain a dedicated validation machine. Since adoption of the original ordinance, parking technology and customer service practices have evolved. The Village now has the ability to administer validations through an online platform, eliminating the need for participating businesses to purchase, maintain, or replace specialized validation equipment. This lowers the cost of participation, simplifies day-to-day operations for businesses, and provides a more convenient method for validating customer parking.
Staff's review of the existing program also found that the current eligibility threshold of more than 4,000 customers per week is overly restrictive and does not accurately reflect current business operations or the manner in which customer activity is measured. Reducing the threshold to more than 2,000 customers per week expands eligibility to additional high-volume businesses while preserving the original intent of the program.
The proposed ordinance amendments would:
• Reduce the participation threshold from more than 4,000 customers per week to more than 2,000 customers per week.
• Expand the program from the Holley Court Parking Structure to Village Garage Parking Structures.
• Require participating businesses to execute a written agreement with the Village outlining validation rates, billing frequency, and program requirements.
• Allow businesses to utilize the Village's online validation platform in lieu of purchasing and maintaining a validation machine.
• Simplify billing and administrative procedures by removing outdated equipment and participation requirements.
Collectively, these amendments modernize the program by reducing barriers to participation, lowering business costs, expanding eligibility, and providing greater flexibility through online validation technology. The amendments also improve administrative efficiency while maintaining appropriate Village oversight of the program.
This item also supports the Village Board's goals related to economic vitality, customer service, and efficient utilization of public parking resources.
Timing Considerations
There are no specific timing considerations associated with this item. Upon adoption, staff will implement the updated program requirements and finalize a standard participation agreement for businesses participating in the program.
Financial Impact
The proposed amendments do not require additional expenditures. Staff does not anticipate a reduction in Village parking revenue as a result of these amendments. By expanding participation opportunities, the updated program is expected to support economic activity within the Village's commercial districts and may generate additional parking validation revenue through increased participation.
Operations Impact
The proposed amendments align with current Development Services Department and Parking and Mobility Services division operations and administrative practices. The changes are expected to reduce administrative burdens associated with physical validation equipment and provide additional flexibility through the use of online validation technology. Existing staff will administer the program as part of normal operations.
DEI Impact
The proposed amendments provide broader access to the validation program for qualifying businesses while maintaining consistent program requirements and administration.
Community Input
The proposed changes were presented to the Business Area Council, and no objections or concerns were raised by the Council.
Staff Recommendation
Staff recommends adoption of the ordinance amending Chapter 15 (“Motor Vehicles and Traffic”) Section 15-3-18(H) of the Oak Park Village Code regarding the High Volume Business Parking Validation Program.
The proposed amendments modernize the program by reducing barriers to participation, lowering costs for participating businesses, expanding eligibility, and providing greater flexibility through online validation technology while maintaining appropriate Village oversight and administration.
Advantages:
• Reduces participation costs by eliminating the need for businesses to purchase and maintain dedicated validation equipment.
• Expands eligibility by reducing the threshold from more than 4,000 customers per week to more than 2,000 customers per week.
• Expands the program to Village Garage Parking Structures.
• Enhances participating businesses' ability to attract and retain customers by providing a more convenient parking validation option.
• Expands the availability of customer parking validation to additional qualifying businesses.
• Establishes written agreements to clearly define responsibilities and billing procedures.
• Simplifies program administration while maintaining Village oversight.
Disadvantages:
• May increase staff time associated with administering additional participating businesses.
• Additional participation could increase demand for validated parking within Village Garage Parking Structures.
Alternatives
Alternative 1:
Maintain the existing ordinance without modification.
Advantages:
• No implementation required.
• Existing program structure remains unchanged.
Disadvantages:
• Limits participation opportunities for businesses.
• Restricts the program to the Holley Court Parking Structure.
Alternative 2:
Reduce the participation threshold while retaining all other existing program requirements.
Advantages:
• Expands eligibility for additional businesses.
• Requires minimal ordinance revisions.
Disadvantages:
• Continues requiring businesses to purchase and maintain physical validation equipment.
• Does not utilize available online validation technology.
• Does not modernize billing and administrative procedures.
Anticipated Future Actions
Following adoption of the ordinance, staff will finalize a standardized participation agreement and implement updated program procedures for current and future participating businesses.
Prepared By: Marlin Jackson, Parking and Mobility Services Manager
Reviewed By: Craig Failor, Director of Development Services
Approved By: Kevin J. Jackson, Village Manager
Attachment(s):
1. Ordinance Amending Chapter 15 Section 15-3-18(H) of the Oak Park Village Code Regarding the High Volume Business Parking Validation Program
2. BAC Validation Program One Pager