Wayne Jenness sent along the following information:

The city administration is proposing a large increase in the parking garage rates for monthly parkers. The measure is going to be introduced at Tuesday’s special city council meeting and will be referred to a public hearing to be scheduled for 6/20.

The current rates are posted here:
https://www.lowellma.gov/465/Garage-Parking-Rates

To summarize:

Current Market Rate: $104

Resident currently: $78 (25% discount)

Senior currently (62+) / Disabled: $43

Proposed rates:

Market Rate: $125

Residents: $100 (20% discount)

Senior (65+) / Disabled: $46.50

I am most concerned about the potential increase for rates for residents between 62 and 64 years of age, as this proposal would see their parking costs go from $43 / mo to $100 / mo… That is unacceptable and I will be making a motion to amend that on the floor.

However, I am also concerned with the regular resident increase from $78 to $100. That’s a big jump, particularly for a building such as ours where our condo fee covers a spot in the Roy garage for many residents of our building. Our condo association’s budget for this year was not created with this hike in mind, and this would go into effect as of July 1st, so there would be no time for the association to adequately react. [admin note: Our 2023 budget is still somewhat in flux with everything going on, but either way, we would really like to dodge another financial hit right now.]

I would encourage residents to share their feedback on these proposed changes with my colleagues by utilizing the contact form on the city website, located here: https://www.lowellma.gov/formcenter/contact-the-city-council-5/city-council-contact-form-45

Or by planning to come speak at the public hearing on the 20th.