DEPARTMENT: Downtown Operations
DEPARTMENT HEAD: Jim Mery
COUNCIL DISTRICTS IMPACTED: City-wide
SUBJECT:
Amend Public Right of Way License Agreement for the Hertz Carshare Program
SUMMARY:
This ordinance authorizes an Amendment to the License Agreement for the Use of Public Right of Way in support of the Hertz Carshare Program.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
On March 29, 2012, City Council authorized a License Agreement for the Use of Public Right of Way in support of the Hertz carshare program (Ordinance #2012-03-29-0210). As part of that agreement, twenty-one existing, downtown metered and non-metered municipal parking spaces were identified for the exclusive use by Hertz for the carshare program. The carshare program provides "24/7" access to rent vehicles by the hour with fuel and insurance included in the hourly rate. The program is available to City of San Antonio employees, downtown employees, residents, and tourists. Hertz compensates the City of San Antonio for the use of parking spaces in the public right of way so that there is no loss of parking revenue to the City.
Starting with just three cars at three locations on March 29, 2012, there are now fifteen vehicles in nineteen downtown public parking spaces. In total, the program is now operating in twenty-eight public and private carshare locations; thirteen downtown locations; one at the San Antonio International Airport; five at National Tire and Battery locations; and nine at participating Walgreens stores.
The program has recruited over 1,700 registered users with just 17 percent (296 members) being City employees. Use of carsharing has been shown to reduce vehicle ownership and vehicle miles traveled which has a positive impact on pollution emissions, traffic congestion, parking demand, and public health.
Over the last eighteen months of the startup of the carshare operation, two of the original public spaces were lost due to other priorities, one location has been underperforming, an accessibility adjustment must be made at one location, and a few additional locations have been identified. With this experience, a revision to the list of appropriate public parking spaces is appropriate. The revised list is shown in the attached Exhibit.
The City will receive $100 per space per month for each on-street space used by Hertz on Demand. If Hertz utilizes all 19 spaces available each month the City will receive annual payment of $22,800.00 for the term of the agreement. The agreement also allows for rent spaces within City-operated parking garages and lots. For spaces within a parking garage, the City will receive 175 percent of the monthly rate for the garage. For spaces within a parking lot, the City will receive 150 percent of the monthly rate for the lot. These funds will be deposited into the Parking Fund.
ISSUE:
This action amends the list of downtown municipal parking spaces dedicated to the Hertz carshare operation. This supports SA2020 initiatives to reduce vehicle miles of travel and air pollution emissions as well as increase downtown amenities and the use of walking, biking, and transit use.
ALTERNATIVES:
City Council has the option to approve the license agreement with modifications to the listing and number of parking locations. City Council could also postpone or deny approval. Postponement or failure to approve the ordinance request would continue the carshare program as it exists today.
FISCAL IMPACT:
The City will receive $100 per space per month for each on-street space used by Hertz on Demand. If all 19 spaces available each month are utilized, the City will receive annual payment of $22,800.00 for the term of the agreement, in addition to any rent for spaces used within a City-operated parking garage or lot. Funds will be deposited into the Parking Fund.
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends authorization of the amendment to the License Agreement for the use of Public Right of Way and exclusive use of up to 19 metered and unmetered parking spaces located throughout downtown.