The newly-created Phoenixville Parking Authority held its initial meeting Wednesday evening, July 9th. The five Authority members were joined by Borough Manager Krack and CDC Director Cassidy.
The one-hour meeting proceeded in a measured and businesslike manner. After introductions of the members, the discussion moved to a review of the 2004 “Parking Study Report,” Borough parking issues generally, on-street and off-street parking, downtown and neighborhood parking issues, and a possible parking garage. The Authority also plans more frequent future meetings and the active solicitation of public input. The members noted that, somewhat to their surprise, their task included all parking in the Borough, not just the downtown.
The funding sources for a downtown garage include potential federal, state, and county grants totaling $7.8–$8 million, according to Cassidy. Also, he suggested that a private donation of the land for a garage may be in the offing. The value of that donation would be used as the local match.
The Authority appears to realize that it has no current Borough appropriation or staff and that it will need to develop its own funding ability.
Anyone wanting an emailed mostly-complete copy of the 2004 parking study can email me at
morechickencacciatore@yahoo.com
Please put “parking study” in the subject line.
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20 comments:
New thread.
Thank God!
You're alive! ;)
Hey, Richard, where did the new PA meet?
Are the meetings open to the public?
The Parking Authority meets in the Borough Hall.
It's a public entity--it's meetings (with exceptions of proper executive sessions) should be public.
I find it interesting that it is a "surprise" to PA members that the Parking Authority has responsibility for the whole Borough.
This was stated publicly multiple times, and is spelled out reasonably clearly in the ordinance and articles of incorporation.
Hey; good luck with that.
Mr Brewer, I have submitted, per your instructions, a request for the parking report. I am asking for a copy, please.
Hey Jeff, great "Monday morning quarterbacking". Keep up the great work!
"Hey great job on that!"
Jeff,
I find it surprising that you thought the parking authority would have control over private parking lots...i would hope our elected officials would know the scope of issues they are voting on. Thanks to Richard for clarifying this for you. Since you are a member of borough council, i assume that you would take the non-partisan role of "how can council work with the parking authority to create solutions..." Obviously, politics is more important to you then solving problems. The fact is, the parking authority exists. It is now your decison as to wether you want to be proactive or merely say, "good luck with that."
I agree with the above stated. Every time I read threads that Mr Senley comments on, he continues to fluctuate between good, factual comments and partisan politics that lets me down everytime. Please lets all get off the partisan politics and work together towards a common goal. I also agree that the parking authority has been voted in so lets not cry about it and stomp you feet. Tighten up your belt buckle and come up with solutions that will continue to move the town forward (your job). Don't buy into the partisan statements that are stated to be divisive and inflammatory. I also love the way people are not buying into these people that continue to try and slow progress and are too afraid to even make a decision because their knees are knocking so hard. Like anonymous said above: "But, hey great job with that".
Jim
I would like Jeff to take a more responsible approach towards an entity that the council he is part of put into place. Even though Jeff and others may not have voted for a PA the fact remains that one was put into place. We know your opposition to the PA but it would be nice to see our elected officials grow up and act like adults. Your (and others) attitude towards anything that doesn't go your way shows an irresponsible attitude that permeates every comment made. Hey Jeff, good luck with that attitude. Grow up!
Barrage of Anonymooses:
This is all very entertaining; however, some of you are forgetting that your Council washed its hands of parking issues by creating the Authority to do so.
Council does not "work with" the Authority. The Authority is independent of the municipality. I as a Council member am prohibited by law from being a member.
Council likely won't hear from the Authority until they have conceived a project which has funding requirements beyond what the Authority can generate. They will then request to borrow on the Borough's line of credit, which Council will be required to approve.
It is not Council's job to "solve the parking problems of the Borough", or "work with the Parking Authority to come up with creative parking solutions", or any other of several pleasant-sounding / do-nothing phrases.
You elected a Borough Council who chose to delegate this function to the Parking Authority. So, those who have no stronger arguments can stop accusing me of not doing my job.
Whether or not those in opposition to my viewpoint wish to acknowledge it, Council as a whole handed off a huge "Hey, Good Luck With That" here. I'm just following their lead.
I think it's gracious of me to wish all involved luck instead of ill will in this process; therefore, in said spirit of cooperation, "Oye, la buena suerte con eso!"
Wow Jeff! Your multiple language skills are quite impressive. Save it. Fact is you have to work with the said PA and will do so because your argument of a government run branch was not seen by your peers as an equal solution. Therefore your statements of "Hey good luck with that" are seen as you being partisan. You made your point about your opposition to the PA and it is so noted. But your attitude is not seen as saying "lets move forward and make this work" even in your opposition. That is the right thing to do. Jeff, we think you do a good job but you seem to be getting too caught up into wishing this doesn't work. Thats just one persons perception and I hope I am wrong.
I am really tired of some of these knuckleheads.
Oh i'm sorry Mr knucklehead are we taking the wind out of your complaint sail (Booohooo)!
"and welcome back to the complainers corner where we concentrate on how to complain about living in a great town. You think you love your town, well you haven't let us deflate that optimism. Your joy doesn't stand a chance against our crew. We'll pound our pessimistic views into your head. No positive thoughts here, just pure whining."
Great job people keep the pessimism and partisan views coming!
Pete Schwetty
Wow, that is really funny and spot on. Some of these folks are professional whiners. I've been reading these blogs for some time and its great to see people finally standing up to these few people that just constantly, and I mean constantly, complain. Please bring your complaints to your councilman. There are 3 that I can think of that constantly halt progress
I also agree with the posts about local officials not being divisive with their comments about an instituted policy. Local officials need to be more accountable for their comments on blogs that are made to the public. I want our officials to work together and not act like children. That includes Barry, Jeff, Mr Buckhalter, Carlos, Mr Wagner etc.
To Anon July 23 at 8:26 PM:
There are eight members of Council. It is therefore impossible for three members to 'halt progress' since they can be outvoted by the remaining five. A simple majority, not unanimity, is all that is needed.
The majority on any particular issue must take responsibility for their vote.
They can obviously move to table the vote or other forms of delay. Come on Richard you should know this better than most since you served. Yes 3 out of 8 can delay unless you've been buried under a rock for the last decade or so council has been delaying a lot of things. Now that some progress is being made its gonna be a lot of Monday Morning Quarterbacking. Let the experts weigh in after things have been done, of course. Not much to say at council meetings but all of you guys blog away on here and other complaint sights. No baseballs!
To Anon July 24 at 11:22 AM:
A motion to table is just that, a motion. It succeeds only if it receives a majority.
Thanks for the clarification on that Richard but you should know better than anyone that things can be stalled on the council floor in many forms. Don't make it so black and white when it suites your needs. I understand what's going on during council meetings. Agenda's are agenda's are agenda's.
Don't buy into the smoke screens sent up by a few politicians that can't get anything done. Their inability to do their job is evident in all of the diversion tactics on these blogs such as the easy one - CDC. If you want answers to your questions about the CDC, or Parking Authority, or business owners just go up and ask these folks. They are all available, easy to find and very approachable. Let them know your concerns instead of feeding into these few lifeless council folks (I can think of 3 right off the top).
This is easy folks, if you're truly involved and care about your town then don't buy into this diversion and ask questions yourself, post your own blogs, and talk to you neighbors. You get NOTHING done on other council people blogs. They are masking their inadequate job performance. "Don't believe the hype".
Chuck D
Mr Senley,
In response to:
"I think it's gracious of me to wish all involved luck instead of ill will in this process; therefore, in said spirit of cooperation, "Oye, la buena suerte con eso!"
This assumes that you feel it apopropriate for a seated council memeber to wish ill will (in certain instances, but not this one...luckily) when it comes to issues you disagree with? Not politically mature, as this is your first taste of public office. Let me assure you, if you choose ill will towards any entity of the borough which you represent, I certainly hope you would allow someone with postive attitude towards the borough step in and take your place.
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