Linda A. Rosenfeld – Chairperson
Malcolm Gross - Vice Chairperson
Candida Svirzovsky - Secretary
Michael Donovan – Treasurer
Garret Strathearn– Asst. Secretaries
Tamara Weller - Executive Director
Daniel K. McCarthy - APA Solicitor
ALLENTOWN PARKING AUTHORITY
BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETING
September 22, 2010
A Board of Directors meeting of the Allentown Parking Authority was held at 4:00 PM on
Wednesday September 22, 2010 in the Conference Room at the Allentown Parking Authority, 603
W. Linden Street Allentown, PA.
The following were in attendance:
Linda Rosenfeld-Chairperson
Malcolm Gross-Vice Chairperson
Michael Donovan-Treasurer
Candida Svirzovsky-Secretary
Tamara Weller - Executive Director
Also in attendance:
Daniel McCarthy-APA Solicitor
Bruce Koller-Deputy Director-APA
George J. Grazer Jr.-Enforcement Manager
Marge Hopkins-Recorder of the Minutes
The Board meeting was called to order at 4:03pm.
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Approval of Minutes
Linda Rosenfeld asked for a motion to approve the Minutes from September. A motion to approve
was made by Malcolm Gross, seconded by Candida Svirzovsky, all were in favor and the Minutes
were approved.
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR’S REPORT
Symphony Hall Fireworks
A representative from Symphony Hall approached Tamara Weller and asked if they could use the
roof of the 600 Linden Parking Garage to set off fireworks for their annual ball which is set to take
place in October. Ms. Weller stated that the APA will, with the appropriate permits obtained by
Symphony Hall, take the request under advisement. Ms. Weller will keep the Board apprised of the
situation.
809 Hamilton Street
Ms. Weller met with developer Rich Kontir of Net Property Group to discuss tenant and retail
parking at 809 Hamilton. According to Mr. Kontir, once the project is completed, the building will
house a restaurant at street level and tenants in four apartments on the upper floors and parking will
be needed for both the commercial and residential aspects of the property. Ms. Weller and Mr.
Kontir will continue to discuss parking options as the property development continues.
Blight Removal
The City of Allentown Code Enforcement department is attempting to strengthen a blight removal
program which will focus on identifying properties that show blight. Representatives from the
Allentown Police Department, and code enforcement, have been walking through neighborhoods to
identify problem areas. Since the initiative began, it has become evident that abandoned vehicles
are a major component of the issue at hand. After a meeting with representatives from the City of
Allentown, Ms. Weller suggested the city take a closer look at the ordinance regarding abandoned
vehicles and possibly enact a more stringent penalty for property owners who do not have the
vehicles removed from their properties.
Untapped Sources of Revenue Webinar
Ms. Weller reported that the IPI webinar she attended on how municipal parking authorities should
look at untapped sources of revenue was very informative. The session, according to Ms. Weller,
indicated that the APA is on the same page as other municipalities and has already implemented
many of the ideas suggested. The APA will continue to investigate cost saving initiatives.
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Signage
The APA is doing an on-street signage inventory of where signage is currently erected and where
signage needs to be added to direct drivers to public parking facilities. Ms. Weller is working in
conjunction with a representative from the city and hopes to have the new signs which will be
purchased by the APA, installed by the City of Allentown Streets Department. The goal is to have
at least the first group of signs installed this Autumn.
OLD BUSINESS
Outstanding Accounts
The Holiday Inn continues to struggle to make payments on their outstanding balance for guest
parking at the hotel. After continuing discussion with the new management, payments have been
made sporadically, the last payment being made minutes before this Board meeting. Ms. Weller
will continue to work with the hotel to bring the account current. W2A continues to make monthly
payments on their declining balance and the Hamilton Business Center brought their account up-to-
date this month. Ms. Weller and Marge Hopkins will continue to monitor all outstanding accounts.
North/Cata Lots
Since the Zawarski option expired, the APA has sent out another RFP for development of the North
and Cata lots. To date approximately one dozen requests for the RFP have been received by Ms.
Weller.
Debt Refinance
Garret Strathearn, Director of Finance for the City of Allentown and APA Board member,
discussed refinancing options with Bruce Koller. According to Mr. Koller, Mr. Strathearn asked
that APA only go to market with their guaranteed Series of 2003 and 2004 issues if and when the
City decides to market their debt. Furthermore, Mr. Strathearn suggested to Mr. Koller that the
APA shop the unguaranteed debt via an RFP to various banks in the area. Mr. Koller will report
the RFP findings
to the Board at a later date.
FINANCIAL REPORT
Monthly Review
According to Mr. Koller, total revenue for the month of August was approximately 94% of budget
or roughly $424,000 with operating revenue at 94.6 % and non-operating revenue at 30% of budget.
Operating expenses were at 79.5% of budget with personnel costs at approximately 82%, service
and charges at 73% and supplies at 67% of the total budget for August. For the month of August,
total revenue exceeded the figures for total operating expenses by $206,464. Mr. Koller stated that
the management and staff are cognizant of APA finances and continue to present ideas to conserve
resources and increase revenue.
Year-to-Date
Although the year to date revenue exceeded operating expenses by nearly $1,359,736.56, after fund
and city transfers the figures reflect a deficit of $172, 521.55.
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Michael Donovan questioned the APA’s ability to remain solvent given the figures presented.
According to Ms. Weller, over the last several months the APA has continued to trim operating
expenses and will continue to do so, these changes will be presented in the budget. Drafts of the
budget have been discussed at prior meetings and will be discussed at the next budget meeting.
According to Malcolm Gross, expenses have been trimmed however, the fundamental problem is
declining revenue. If the figures for revenue have bottomed out or stabilized, the numbers won’t be
a problem. If however, revenue continues to decline the APA is going to have serious financial
problems. Ms. Weller stated the APA is focused on enhancing what they can to make the APA
more efficient. For instance, continued Ms. Weller, parking rates on some lots have not increased
with the market and should be further evaluated. Improved meter technology could also grant a
more efficient operation; however, this change is a short-term solution. Mr. Gross countered that if
revenues continue to decline these changes won’t make an impact on APA finances. While
reviewing the financial statement Michael Donovan noted that the debt service for the AGAPS and
ATC were crippling revenues at the APA. According to Mr. Donovan, although on-street revenue
hasn’t decreased dramatically, the enormity of the debt service for the two garages leaves little
room for error. Since the ATC was part of the LANTA transportation hub and was built as a part to
the whole project, Mr. Donovan suggested renegotiating the lease with LANTA for the ATC deck.
The APA is integral to every downtown business’ success and has to be cognizant of the needs of
those businesses, according to Ms. Weller. The APA is being cautious about major changes that
will affect the businesses and would rather trim the APA budget “as close to the bone as possible”.
Mr. Gross addressed Ms. Weller, stating that he doesn’t advocate any drastic changes and that the
APA needs to take a closer look at the numbers toward the end of the year. At that point, according
to Mr. Gross, if things are holding steady the APA should make it through 2013.
2011 MMO Approval
Mr. Koller asked for approval of the defined benefit plan for salaried employees with a minimum
obligation of $182,855 calculated by actuary Beyer Barber, the only change from the past year was
Act 44, the way municipalities calculate obligations for pension. The defined contribution for
union employees is $46,745. Mr. Donovan moved to approve the figures for the MMO, Mr. Gross
seconded the motion, all were in favor and the motion was approved.
NEW BUSINESS
Holiday meeting dates:
The November Board meeting will not be held until December 1 due to the holiday. The holiday
dinner has been scheduled for December 14th at 5:30 p.m. at Sangria. Board members are invited
to bring a guest.
ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned at 5:01 pm.
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