LTC 277-2020 TOWING - REQUEST FOR INFORMATIONO FFIC E OF TH E CI TY M A N A G ER
277-2020
NO. LTC#
TO: Mayor Dan Gelber and Members
FROM: Jimmy L. Morales, City Manage
DATE: August 4, 2020
SUBJECT: TOWI NG - RE QUEST FOR INFORM
This Letter to Commission (L TC) serves to provide information requested by the
City Commission at the July 29, 2020, City Commission meeting, during Item No.
R7Z, "Towing Permit Extension. There was direction to provide the quantities of
parking citations and vehicles towed in the last ninety (90) days (COVID-19
pandemic) as well as reference to a lack of parking availability in residential parking
zones due to a lack of enforcement.
Between March 29, 2020, and July 25, 2020, there were 116 tows by the Parking
Department and 475 tows by the Police Department for a total of 590 tows (Police
tows include various types of tows, including Police investigations).
The chart below depicts weekly parking revenue deficits, as a percentage,
compared to average weekly parking revenues in the prior year (pre-pandemic)
and related tows and citations conducted for each week.
Week Revenue Decrease % Tows Citations
3/29 to 4/04 -90.14% 12 444
4/05 to 4/11 -92.69% 2 441
4/12- 4/18 -90.44% 2 615
4/19 - 4/25 -90.91% 8 378
4/26- 5/02 -81.21 % o 141
5/03- 5/09 -89.27% o 151
5/10-5/16 -89.25% 7 116
5/17-5/23 -85.63% 6 179
5/24- 5/30 -75.42% 1 138
5/31 - 6/06 -79.68% 4 137
6/07 - 6/13 -63.15% 15 226
6/14- 6/20 -53.59% 14 242
6/21 -6/27 -48.46% 9 374
6/28 - 7/04 -57.46% 9 316
7/05-7 /11 -68.93% 6 255
7/12-7/18 -66.76% 7 229
7/19-7 /25 -65.58% 14 386
Overall -76.22 116 4,768
As we know, parking utilization and related revenues have significantly declined
due to the COVID-19 (Corona virus) pandemic and its related impacts to
commercial and recreational uses, including, public safety restrictions, curfews,
and temporary closures. The unemployment rate was as high as almost 15% in
April and it is currently at approximately 11%. These impacts severely curtailed
parking utilization and related revenues by over 76% between March 29" and July
25, and it has been as high as 90%+ on multiple weeks.
Residential Parking Enforcement Patrols and Towing
There was a discussion during the item regarding residents being unable to find
parking availability being attributed to the lack of towing in residential parking
zones. Residential Parking Zone 14/Belle Isle was referenced as one of the
affected areas.
Parking enforcement specialists have been assigned to patrol restricted residential
parking zones. As part of their patrol, each vehicle's license plate is entered into
a tablet/database to determine its status as being either "valid" (current residential
parking credential) or "invalid" no residential permit or virtual visitor permit.
The chart below depicts the weekly number of license plates checked; invalid/valid
results; and percentage of compliance.
Week Total Invalid Valid Compliance %
3/29 - 4/4 4,504 53 4,451 99%
4/5- 4/11 2,163 86 2,077 96%
4/12- 4/18 1,308 66 1,242 95%
4/19- 4/25 1,371 59 1,312 96%
4/26- 5/2 1,366 85 1,281 94%
5/3- 5/9 1,836 108 1,728 94%
5/10-5/16 920 56 864 94%
5/17 - 5/23 1,748 118 1,630 93%
5/24- 5/30 1,465 77 1,388 95%
5/31-6/6 1,073 85 988 92%
6/7- 6/13 859 112 747 87%
6/14- 6/20 646 71 575 89%
6/21 -6/27 1,347 134 1,213 90%
6/28-7/4 1,017 122 895 88%
7/5-7/11 1,192 109 1,083 91%
7/12-7/18 1,451 113 1,338 92%
7/19-7/25 786 97 689 88%
Totals 25,052 1,551 23,501 94%
Between March 29" and July 25, there were 25,052 vehicle license plates
checked in residential parking zones. 23,501 or 94% were confirmed as valid,
meaning a current residential parking credential was in place.
On July 29 (City Commission meeting when this issue was discussed), a
complaint call was received regarding Residential Parking Permit Zone 14/Belle
Isle. A parking enforcement patrol revealed 65 of 66 (98%) of vehicles parked
within the Belle Isle parking zone had a "valid" parking credential and there were
at least ten (1 O) available parking spaces.
In closing, the approach to parking enforcement during the pandemic is that of
leniency for many infractions. However, enforcement (citations and tows) has
been strict for egregious safety violations, including fire hydrants, blocked
driveway/sidewalks, ADA parking etc. In cases where parking availability is
scarce, stricter enforcement is applied to encourage parking space turnover. What
we have seen to date during this pandemic is that residential parking zones have
high compliance of "valid" parking credentials and generally have parking
availability.
In the end, residential parking programs are established to provide parking
availability for residents within their respective zone. If there is parking availability
for residents, then the enforcement (towing) of non-resident vehicles may be
perceived as overzealous and strictly for revenue generating purposes. This optic,
during financial hardships for residents and businesses is not a favorable one.
If the Mayor and Commission wish to take a different approach toward parking
enforcement, and specifically towing, I welcome your feedback and direction. If
you should have any questions, please contact Saul Frances, Parking Director via
email at saulfrances@miamibeachfl.goy or at 305.673.7000, extension 6483.
c: Eric Carpenter, Assistant City Manager
Alina Hudak, Assistant City Manager
Mark Taxis, Assistant City Manager
Marcia Monserrat, Chief of Staff/Office of the City Manager
Rick Clements, Police Chief
Saul Frances, Parking Director