Parking Advisory Board

Parking Department Conference Room

Agenda — 15 items

1. 1 Call to Order Support Staff: Monica Beltran, Director of Parking & Mobility Services Matt Anderson, Asst. Director Mobility & Sustainability Nicole Gautney, Sustainability Coordinator Guests: None The PAB began at 05:40 P.M.
2. 2 Roll Call
3. 3. Approval of July 16, 2025, Meeting Minutes Approved on Consent Agenda
4. 4 Public Comment – there was no public comment.
5. 2. Mobility & Sustainability Updates a. Asst. Director Anderson updated the PAB on the trolley service is back to full service (7 total trolleys – six on Ponce and one on Grand Ave) as schools are back in session. There have been no complaints from passengers, though ridership was down by 60,000 passengers compared to the previous year. The decline in ridership may be due to several factors including the restart of Miami-Dade Transit’s Route 42 – which runs down LeJeune Road, lower overall foot traffic, and lower gas prices equating to more people driving, though these are still being investigated. Staff are not ready to say that this is a trend just yet and they will be looking more into the reasons ridership dropped over the summer months. b. Asst. Director Anderson updated the Board about the rise in ridership for both Freebee and Bird Scooters compared to the previous year. Compared to July 2024, ridership for Freebee is up by about 6,000 passengers and scooter ridership is over 1,000 riders. Concerns were raised about the safety of scooter riders, particularly regarding their disregard for traffic laws and the potential dangers of riding on sidewalks. The Board discussed the current regulations that are in place, including geofencing and speed limits, and considered implementing an educational campaign to promote responsible scooter use to include private scooters. They also explored the demographics of scooter renters, noting that both residents and visitors use the service, and discussed the need for further regulation and safety measures. c. There were updates on finalizing the agreement with FDOT for a new southern loop trolley route, which is set to potentially begin in October and will run from Douglas Station to 57th Avenue, connecting various medical offices and the underpass area. The new route is being funded by FDOT ($195,000) and the city ($205,000), and it aims to improve connectivity and ridership. Additionally, community events were highlighted, including the recent Summer Downtown Community Cleanup and upcoming events such as the International Costal Cleanup, Park(ing) Day, and the Adopt & Cleanup event, all aimed at fostering community engagement and environmental awareness.
6. 3. Aragon Parking Lots Update a. Director Beltran reported on the Aragon parking lot situation, where a private company owns the middle section of a previously unified lot. The owner of the middle lot also purchased the old LaSalle lot and wished to add the lot to the previous lease, resulting in a larger lot. There were concerns regarding contamination of the LaSalle lot and ultimately, an agreement was not reached. The Board expressed concerns about potential future development plans that could impact the parking lot spaces and noted that street parking is preferred by users over garages.
7. 4. ParkMobile Update a. Director Beltran informed the PAB that ParkMobile and PayByPhone, are both available and offer similar services, including the residential program that gives a 25 percent discount to residents. She advised the Board that the resident discount program has been extended until January. The applications do not charge transaction fees for residents if they sign up for the residential status. PayByPhone, however, may charge for SMS reminders but SMS reminders can be disabled. The city benefits from these systems by avoiding credit card fees, which amount to approximately $800,000 to $1 million annually. While residents receive discounts, city employees do not yet benefit from the program, though they do receive free parking at their workplaces.
8. 5. Construction, Staging & Parking Plans a. Director Beltran updated the PAB on parking enforcement challenges, particularly around construction sites, where workers often park in residential areas or municipal lots without proper permits. Director Beltran explained that construction companies must submit parking plans, and code violations can result in citations and fines up to $500, with some construction sites being temporarily closed for non-compliance.
9. 6. Upgrades to Trolley Stop Update a. Asst. Director Anderson reached out to Public Works to get an update on this project, and they started construction at 15 trolley stops, including striping and sidewalk improvements. The city has been keeping the community aware of the upgrades through E-News, flyers posted on the trolleys, service message on ETA spot app, etc.
10. 7. EV Charge Station Contract – Blink a. Director Beltran updated the PAB on the electric vehicle charging stations. The new contract with Blink will provide charging station that will be maintained and installed by them. The charging cost will go up from 30 cents to 39 cents per KWH, keeping more realistic numbers as some places charge 45 cents. The revenue model was explained, with the city receiving 50 percent of net revenue, while maintaining responsibility for electric bills. Blink will pay for the credit card fees and the network fee is cheaper than what the city is paying currently. Overall, having a contract with Blink where Blink will provide the EV charging stations and all the costs that come with it, excluding the electric bill, the city will be saving much more money versus purchasing the stations.
11. 8. Commission Items a. Director Beltran informed the Board on the Aragon lots that were discussed previously and that Sustainability received a grant for $2,000 to support the Adopt & Cleanup event that is taking place on October 4.
12. 9. Open Discussion a. Board member De Tournay worried about the Coral Gables Gazette journalists who quoted members out of context and the meeting topics. There were three articles written about the July meeting regarding the loss of parking spaces to accommodate the ADA compliant trolley stops, the parking fund, and advisory boards. She also spoke about the development concerns in Coral Gables, including the demolition of existing buildings and the proposed rapid transit zone near the canal, which would allow buildings up to 150 feet tall. She also brought up raised concerns about infrastructure and water contamination, particularly regarding the city's aging water system and its impact on drinking water quality. b. Board member McGregor suggested developing a coordinated plan with commissioners to address parking issues and represent community interests. c. Board member Famadas and the Board discussed the need for a comprehensive mobility and parking study, emphasizing the importance of establishing a baseline before significant development changes the parking landscape. She expressed concerns about the city's approach to development projects, including the removal of a 200-year-old tree and the impact on street parking. The Board agreed to push for a start date for the study and to provide an update at the next meeting. They also discussed the prioritization of ADA compliance for trolley stops, which has temporarily delayed their own project. d. The Board discussed traffic and safety concerns around schools, particularly on Coral Way where there is no designated school zone despite the presence of St. Philips School since 1957. They agreed to pursue getting speed zone signage installed through Public Works and Melissa DeZayas, who oversees transportation. The conversation also touched on autonomous delivery robots, noting that while they operate autonomously, human operators can take control remotely if needed.
13. 13 The PAB adjourned at 7:40 P.M.
14. 14 Next Meeting: September 17, 2025
15. 16 NOTE