Old Pasadena Garage Parking Revenue Down 62%

A memo in this week’s Old Pasadena Parking Meter Zone Advisory Commission agenda shows revenue is down by 40% in the city’s Old Pasadena Parking Meter Fund.

Revenue is currently $818,000 below budget, according to the memo signed by city Transportation Director Laura Rubio-Canejo, which cites data compiled through March 31.

The commission is scheduled to receive an update on revenues during its meeting at 11 a.m. Thursday.  

Making matters worse, Old Pasadena meter revenue is down 26%, or $438,000, compared to last year, while revenue for parking garages in Old Pasadena garages was down 62%, or $1,686,000, through February. 

“As the health pandemic has impacted the economy in general, those impacts have also been felt within the City’s parking program,” said   Rubio-Canejo. “We do not have plans to lay off employees or reduce services.  We do continue to explore opportunities for efficiencies and are committed to providing residents and guests with an excellent parking experience.  We are hopeful that as the economy reopens, our revenues will mirror increased activity in Old Pasadena and throughout the City.”

Revenue was increasing from July to September but then decreased from October through January. Revenue has been rebounding since February. Based on the data through March 31, expenses are estimated to end at 9% below budget by the end of the fiscal year in June.

Staff used $200,000 to buy barriers for on-street dining. The city will attempt to get reimbursement through the American Rescue Plan Act.

The city placed a moratorium on parking meters in March, but fees remained in place at city parking garages.

“While this might be a boon for drivers, it’s having significant consequences all across the United States,” according to a report in American City and County, a newsletter looking at government trends which called parking tickets “important sources of revenue.”

“We continue to explore options for managing expenses to offset the decrease in revenue,” states Rubio-Canejo’s memo. 

“Based on actual data through March 31, this fund is estimated to end FY 2021 with a fund balance of $909,518 which is made up of $309,518 available for appropriations and $600,000 in reserves for operations and meter replacement,” it continues.

“As the public health orders are amended to allow more businesses and public facilities to reopen with higher occupancies, we expect parking demand to increase and improve the financial outlook for all parking operations over time. However, until the revenue has returned to pre-COVID levels, we should continue to remain vigilant of expenses,” the memo states.