DEPARTMENT: Aviation
DEPARTMENT HEAD: Frank Miller
COUNCIL DISTRICTS IMPACTED: Citywide
SUBJECT:
Parking Program at the San Antonio International Airport
SUMMARY:
Consideration of the following Ordinances related to parking programs at the San Antonio International Airport (SAT):
A. This Ordinance authorizes a new frequent parking program at SAT. The Aviation Department would like to establish the Frequent Parking Program in the Parking Garage (formerly the Long-Term Parking Garage). This Ordinance will authorize the Terms and Conditions and rates of the program.
B. This Ordinance authorizes the City Manager to set the rates and terms for pilot parking programs for up to 12 months at SAT and updates Chapter 3, Airports, in the San Antonio Municipal Code. City Council authorization would be required to continue a program after the 12 months. With this authorization, the Aviation Department would be able to implement new parking programs, gain data and adjust the rates and terms and conditions as required before taking forward to City Council and setting the rates in the San Antonio Municipal Code.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
The Aviation Department would like to provide passengers to SAT with additional options for parking at SAT.
Frequent Parking Program
City Council authorized a premium parking program for the hourly parking garage in the Rules and Regulations for the San Antonio Airport System (Chapter 3 of the San Antonio Municipal Code). However, with the construction of the Consolidated Rental Car and Short-Term Public Parking facility, the hourly parking garage has been demolished. The Aviation Department established a new program in the Parking Garage (formerly the Long-Term Parking Garage) on October 1. Through the Program, participants are provided a parking card that provides exclusive corral parking on the first floor of the garage with convenient access to the pedestrian walkway or shuttle stop with guaranteed parking even when the garage is full. The program establishes monthly payments of $335.00, based on the daily rate of $11.00 in the parking garage.
Pilot Parking Programs
The Rules and Regulations for the San Antonio Airport System set forth the standards that all persons, businesses, and tenants conducting operations at San Antonio International Airport and Stinson Municipal Airport must abide by and provide the authority to enforce these standards. The document also sets forth the rates and fees for the Airport System which are reaffirmed or modified each year through the approval of the City’s Budget by City Council.
Currently, any parking program that has a new rate associated with it would need to be approved by the City Council before initiating the program. Sometimes, as a program is implemented, it becomes apparent that the rates or the terms of the program need to be adjusted after a period time in order to improve the effectiveness of the program. For example, if a rate is found to be too low or too high, the Airport needs to be able to adjust quickly in order to meet the needs of the customer. This time period will allow the Department to test and evaluate new programs and respond quickly to customer needs at SAT
The initial date of a new program would be the first day a customer could use the new service. City Council authorization would be required before the day after the expiration of twelve months from the initial date to approve each program’s terms and conditions and associated rates and charges.
ISSUE:
A. City Council approval is required for any amendments to the San Antonio Municipal Code and for the authorization for use of City-owned property.
B. City Council approval is required to authorize the City Manager to set the rate for pilot parking programs for a period of 12 months. City Council authorization is required for the program to continue beyond the 12 months and for the permanent parking rate.
ALTERNATIVES:
City Council could elect to not approve the parking program in the Parking Garage. However, a similar program had been authorized in the hourly garage, and this action allows the department to provide a new customer service to customers of SAT.
City Council could elect to not approve the authorization of the City Manager’s authority to set the rate of pilot parking programs at SAT. However, the authorization allows the department additional time to assess new customer service programs for public parking at SAT without amending the Municipal Code each time.
FISCAL IMPACT:
A. The rate of the Frequent Parking Program is $335.00 per month which is calculated from the daily rate of $11.00 in the Parking Garage. The revenue will be deposited into the Airport Operating and Maintenance Fund.
B. This item does not have a fiscal impact. If any parking programs are initiated, revenue that is generated will be deposited into the Operating and Maintenance Fund for the Airport.
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends the authorization of two Ordinances related to parking programs at the San Antonio International Airport.