Submitted By
Tammie Grossman, Director of Development Customer Services
Reviewed By
A.M. Zayyad, Deputy Village Manager
Agenda Item Title
Title
Second Reading and Adoption of an Ordinance Amending Chapter 15 (“Motor Vehicles and Traffic”), Article 3 (“Parking Meters, Parking Permits, and Municipal Attendant Parking Lots”), Section 15-3-18 (“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 Establish a Reduced Parking Permit Fee Program
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Overview
Overview
Pursuant to the Village Board’s goal of community affordability, this Ordinance establishes a reduced parking permit fee program, as discussed by the Village Board during its comprehensive review of the parking system throughout 2022. If approved, this program would be effective with the next renewal cycle for lot and garage parking permits, beginning on April 1, 2023.
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Recommendation
Recommendation
Approve the Ordinance.
Background
The Village administers several types of residential parking permits on a quarterly basis, including permits for Village owned/leased lots and garages as well as permits for on-street overnight permit parking. Residential parking permits range in cost from $117 to $257 per quarter. The proposed Reduced Parking Permit Fee Program would offer eligible participants the ability to purchase and/or renew their quarterly parking permits for a flat fee of $50. This equates to individual savings between 57 and 81%, depending on the permit type.
In an effort to streamline the administration of this program, staff recommends utilizing existing programs offered by partner agencies in the Oak Park community in order to verify income eligibility.
Therefore, eligibility for the program is proposed to be determined as follows: the registered owner of the vehicle for which the application is being made for a parking permit must be a current participant in the Oak Park Housing Authority’s Housing Choice Voucher Program.
Village staff intends for this Ordinance to establish the first phase of this program, eventually expanding program eligibility to other low-income individuals. Specifically, eligibility could be expanded to residents who reside at other affordable housing locations, including: 1.) Heritage House (201 Lake Street), 2.) The 801 (801 Oak Park Avenue), 3.) Grove Apartments (442 S. Grove Avenue), 4.) The Oaks (114 S. Humphrey), 5.) Farrelly-Muriello Apartments (435 S. Humphrey Avenue), and Mills Park Tower (1025 Pleasant Place).
Village staff met with Ken Southward, Director of Housing Programs, and Lataunda Cobb, Manager of the Housing Choice Voucher Program, both of the Oak Park Housing Authority to discuss the terms of the proposed program. The Oak Park Housing Authority supports the establishment of this program, as detailed in a letter of support included in the agenda item materials.
The proposed Ordinance details the specific documentation required to be submitted in order to qualify. The Oak Park Housing Authority will create a document for participants of the Housing Choice Voucher Program that authenticates their current participation in the program. This document is required to be submitted to the Village upon application for the Reduced Parking Permit Fee Program.
Fiscal Impact
A maximum of approximately 510 families would be eligible for participation in the program, resulting in an estimated loss of $87,000.00 in parking permit revenue in FY 2023.
DEI Impact
The proposed Reduced Parking Permit Fee Program will provide direct financial relief to low-income residents of the Village of Oak Park. Eligible participants will benefit from the reduced parking permit fees. Additionally, the program encourages low-income residents to comply with the Village’s public parking restrictions, thus reducing the probability of these individuals receiving a parking citation for non-compliance.
The Housing Choice Voucher Program, commonly known as the Section 8 Program, is a federally funded rental assistance program that provides help to low-income individuals and families, enabling them to rent privately owned properties in the Village. Income-eligible individuals or families are selected from the Oak Park Housing Authority’s waiting list and issued financial assistance to search for and find suitable housing units in the Village. Low-income eligibility is defined as a gross family income of below 50 percent of the area median income.
The Oak Park Housing Authority also owns and operates rental housing that is specifically designed to serve disadvantaged populations in the community. 435 S. Humphrey Avenue is a three-story complex designed to meet the housing needs of the severely mobility-impaired, who are maintaining their own personal and financial matters. 1025 Pleasant Place is a 19-story complex designed to meet the housing needs of low-income seniors. Finally, 114 S. Humphrey Avenue is a six-story complex designed to meet the housing needs of low-income seniors. Village staff anticipates bringing an Ordinance back in the near future for the Village Board’s consideration that would expand program eligibility to those residents that reside at these addresses. Other affordable housing locations that would be added at future date include Heritage House (201 Lake Street), The 801 (801 Oak Park Avenue), and The Grove Apartments (442 S. Grove Avenue).
Alternatives
The Village Board could propose alternative terms for the proposed Reduced Parking Permit Fee Program.
Previous Board Action
The Village Board first discussed this proposed program at the February 14, 2022, Village Board meeting during its initial discussion and review of the Village’s parking system. The Board was supportive of staff further developing this proposal for future consideration.
At the November 21, 2022, Village Board meeting, staff informed the Village Board that it would be bringing back an Ordinance for the Board’s consideration in the first quarter of 2023.
A first reading of the Ordinance occurred at the March 6, 2023, Village Board meeting.
Citizen Advisory Commission Action
N/A.
Anticipated Future Actions/Commitments
Village staff anticipates bringing an Ordinance back in the near future for the Village Board’s consideration that would expand program eligibility to those residents that reside at other affordable housing locations in the community.
Additionally, pursuant to the Village Board’s direction, staff is investigating how to further expand eligibility to those families that currently participate in the State of Illinois free or reduced-price meal program.
Intergovernmental Cooperation Opportunities
N/A.