Changes coming to Downtown Calexico
CALEXICO – A few changes are coming to Downtown Calexico soon after the city council approved two resolutions to increase parking meter fees and improve alleys.
At a Calexico City Council meeting on Wednesday, March 6, Calexico Interim Finance Director Sandra Fonseca asked the Calexico City Council to adjust meter hours, rates, fines, and metering in public parking lots. The interim director suggested changing parking meter rates to 25 cents for 12 minutes. Previously, the cost for vehicle owners was 25 cents for half an hour. The fee would apply from 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.
“This adjustment is aimed at aligning with current inflation rates, generating revenue to later facilitate the creation of four additional permanent part-time traffic controllers, along with the reintroduction of a new Business Liaison Officer position,” Fonseca reported to the council.
According to the report, the downtown area encompasses approximately 565 metered parking spots, which serve a crucial role in regulating vehicle parking in the proximity to local businesses.
Fonseca told the council the primary concern addressed by these meters is the prevention of individuals parking their cars and walking south to Mexico — an issue that would hinder businesses by occupying available spaces in front of their establishments.
Given this challenge, the City has set a maximum 2-hour parking limit in the area with a nominal fee of one dollar to ensure the continuous flow of vehicles through the area while maintaining available spaces for prospective shoppers.
So far the city has a Parking Enforcement Supervisor, a Parking Enforcement Officer, and two permanent part-time Parking Enforcement Officers, with up to eight seasonal traffic controllers provided through Hunters Employment Services to manage parking and traffic in the area.
Over the years, temporary traffic controllers have played a crucial role in serving the City with their primary responsibility to regulate the flow of traffic during the afternoon rush, particularly vehicles lining up southbound to Mexicali. “This service is of immense value as it effectively manages traffic, minimizing wait times, and helps prevent potential collisions and altercations among motorists who would otherwise lack guidance,” the interim director wrote in her report. “Additionally, these controllers serve as the first line of monitoring, equipped with radios and body cameras.”
Also, the city has four public unmetered parking lots that are strictly monitored for a 2-hour parking limit. However, these lots experience high occupancy on weekend evenings, which poses a revenue loss for the city.
Parking meter funds and enforcement fines have played a crucial role in balancing the budget for traffic enforcement and their need is special during peak hours — contributing to a more living environment by preventing chaos that occurs in the absence of sufficient traffic personnel.
However, after two decades of parking meters, these are no longer in production and do not accept card payments, Fonseca wrote.
“This limitation has led to public frustration as there are limited payment options available,” the interim director added. “The public has voiced concerns about the current system, highlighting the inconvenience of being unable to feed the meters directly and the necessity to rely on local businesses to provide change for payments.”
While admitting meters are antiquated and replacement parts are no longer being made, the interim director pointed out that ordering special parts to maintain meters is costing the city more than necessary.
The current budget for traffic controllers is reaching $900,000 per year, with meter revenue bringing $275,000 and parking fines providing an additional $204,000, leaving an estimated $421,000 to cover with Police Department General Fund monies.
By increasing meter rates and fines, and adjusting times the city expects to cover the gap, and even raise funds for a Business Liaison Officer who would assist businesses with downtown area issues, as well as support four permanent parttime traffic controllers for the new hours and manage peak-hour traffic.
Staff modifications are expected to contribute to cost savings by eliminating the need for bi-annual recruitment and training, as well as addressing public concerns.