Parking Fees
 

My town's last board meeting discussed parking fees for the currently
free, public boat launch. There is parking for about 60 trucks and
trailers. It is always full and often people don't park properly making
it hard to park or leave.
The proposal was a $5 fee for the vehicle per day. Single axle trailers
less than 20' long another $5. Double axle trailers or single axle
trailers over 20' long, $7.50. The estimate of revenue is $2,000 per
week May-October and $1,000 per weekend mid-March-April and November.
The parking would be free those week days. December-early March would be
free, but doubtful anyone would be there.
The argument I agree with is there needs to be more order in the current
parking situation. I suppose the fees charged will easily cover the cost
of a parking attendant. While it wasn't mentioned, I'd like to see the
leftover money going to improvements in the lakefront area, rather than
lost in the overall budget.
I do think the fees are excessive however. Certainly some people will
not come to our town to eat, shop or buy gas because they will find
another free parking lot within 10 miles on the same lake.
Do any of you pay to park or launch at your public boat launch. If you
didn't now, would you consider these fees excessive? Is there a
difference for residents vs. non-residents?
I plan on writing the town board voicing my opinions, but would like to
know about other peoples opinions first.
Thanks.

Parking Fees
 

This year the WA parks dept started charging for all parking at state parks.
$5 for day use. (some park ranges have seen this to mean 'no overnight
parking' and therefore charge another $10 in addition for a vehicle left
over night.. (this doesn't seem to apply in the camp grounds but does apply
at some marine parks.

However, at the launch ramp the they charge $5 for a launch and recovery and
includes the parking (I assume) for a day.

For God Sake, don't let them set up your parking fee system with an
Attendant.. This would create several new employee positions that would cost
far more than the fees collected.

Here they use an honor system. You put your parking or launch ramp fee in an
envelope/drop box. The information flap is NCR and you retain a copy and
place it in the windshield of your vehicle. The range has enforcement
authority and can right tickets if there is no proof that you dropped a fee
in the box. So far I have only seen warning tickets..

For day parking we can purchase an annual parking permit for about $50 and
seniors get that for free if they are low income.


Steve

Parking Fees
 

I plan on writing the town board voicing my opinions, but would like to
know about other peoples opinions first.
Thanks.


Having a parking attendant is a bad idea. Use some metal box, fill out
envelope with your plates, etc. Have the local cop at least pretend he is
checking it.

On the flip side, once they charge $5, they will charge $6 next year and so
on. This will become a little honeywell, and yes, your town will probably
suck those profits in some bureaucracy.

Parking Fees
 

Actually I can't complain about the launch ramp fees, even though I have
only use the ramp once. My boat is to large to launch and recover on a
trailer.

In my area, they have just spent several million dollars of the the boat tax
money on a very nice launch ramp and floating docks.

I wouldn't object to the parking fees if the money stayed in the parks
system for operation and expenses.. However, I know it doesn't..

The boat pumpout station has been out of service for 2 seasons now (maybe
longer) until last spring, it was the only pumpout in the whole area..
Fortunately another pumpout was opened a couple miles away at a municipal
dock. And they only charge $2 for a 5 min. pump out or porta potty dump.


--
My opinion and experience. FWIW

Steve
s/v Good Intentions

Parking Fees
 

I agree, don't have an attendant. These lot attendants always become
little tyrants and act as if they own the place.

I use the public lot in Weymouth, MA and there is a lot attendant
there like that. Guy told me I can't leave my truck/trailer overnight
without telling him in advance. Said he would have my rig towed and
send the coast guard out looking for me! Like I need this SOB to give
me grief and act like my mother....and I don't think he has the right
to tow my rig, but that gives me crap to worry about.

Luckily there is a free parking lot where I go usually ( Falmouth,)
where I can leave my truck/trailer for a week at a time while I'm out
on the boat without a problem.

I don't mind paying a fee of $5/day ( even though we already have paid
for this in our boat tax ) if at least part of it goes to maintaining
the area of the ramp/lot. Don't give people crap about overnighting
though. Let them pay the $5/day like everyone else.

John C.

Parking Fees
 

A comment on your proposed fee structure from someone who does
extended trips.
$7.50 a day is too high Ithink for someone at the lot for a week.
That means I would have to pay $52.50 to the parking lot if I go out
for the week....too steep. I would be real upset about that. A weekly
rate of $30 or so would be more reasonable...again, considering we are
already paying for these ramps ourselves with our boat taxes.
Where is the boat ramp? That matters too. If at Marina Del Ray, thats
one thing. If at some mudhole out in the sticks, thats a different
thing altogether.
John C.

Parking Fees
 

I'm not in favor of excesively high fees to when the money doesn't got to
the agency that operates the facilities..

However, if there is only a limited number of parking spots at a launch ramp
then there has to be someway to keep boat owners from leaving their trailer
and truck for long periods of time.. One way is to set time limits, the
other is to charge a fee that is high enough to encourage the boater to have
someone take the trailer home while he is on the water for a week.. Could
you imagine the problems a the Marina Del Ray ramp if their wasn't a time
limit or high fee..

Then of course, I'm apposed to parking fees for overnight parking when I
already have a annual parking permit (which has now been defined as 'Day
Use'. Doesn't say anything like that on the pass.). In addition, I am
already paying for mooring my boat at a state mooring.. Do the guys in the
RV park have to pay an extra $10 for their car? I don't think so.

please excuse the Venting..

Steve
s/v Good Intentions

Parking Fees
 

Hi User,

In Jacksonville, the public ramps are free. Or at least no ramp fees.
The taxpayers footed the bill. Now we have some nice new ramps here and
a 1/2 cent sales tax too. But we also got new sewers, water pipes,
roads, courthouse, city hall, schools, parks, football stadium, sports
arena, a music park with docks and free pump out, and lots of new cops
in the bargain.

Many marinas charge all the traffic will bear to plop your boat, and
they don't have parking attendants either. One nearby uses a lift and
charges 20.00 for the splash and 10 for a pump out.

If you go before the city council, and insist the revenues from boat
ramps go toward maine activities, I am sure they can find something to
waste it on.

Capt. Frank

http://www.home.earthlink.net/~aartworks

user wrote:

My town's last board meeting discussed parking fees for the currently
free, public boat launch. There is parking for about 60 trucks and
trailers. It is always full and often people don't park properly making
it hard to park or leave.
The proposal was a $5 fee for the vehicle per day. Single axle trailers
less than 20' long another $5. Double axle trailers or single axle
trailers over 20' long, $7.50. The estimate of revenue is $2,000 per
week May-October and $1,000 per weekend mid-March-April and November.
The parking would be free those week days. December-early March would be
free, but doubtful anyone would be there.
The argument I agree with is there needs to be more order in the current
parking situation. I suppose the fees charged will easily cover the cost
of a parking attendant. While it wasn't mentioned, I'd like to see the
leftover money going to improvements in the lakefront area, rather than
lost in the overall budget.
I do think the fees are excessive however. Certainly some people will
not come to our town to eat, shop or buy gas because they will find
another free parking lot within 10 miles on the same lake.
Do any of you pay to park or launch at your public boat launch. If you
didn't now, would you consider these fees excessive? Is there a
difference for residents vs. non-residents?
I plan on writing the town board voicing my opinions, but would like to
know about other peoples opinions first.
Thanks.

Parking Fees
 

and truck for long periods of time.. One way is to set time limits, the
other is to charge a fee that is high enough to encourage the boater to have
someone take the trailer home while he is on the water for a week.. Could
you imagine the problems a the Marina Del Ray ramp if their wasn't a time
limit or high fee..


Steve, you should realize that although I use the parking lot for a
long time, I don't use it often. I don't take my boat out for a day or
two, when I go it's for a long time, but not as often as many people
do. You seem to want to not allow people to use the lots long, how
about if I said people should not be allowed to use the lots often?
Maybe put a limit that you can only use a ramp 5 or 6 times a year?
Thats just as fair, and that would work for me. We all have different
use patterns. I can see your gripe if people were to leave the boat on
a mooring and leave the trailer hogging space while not on the boat.
Otherwise, no. In Falmouth, MA where I go the rule is no unattended
trailers. This way you know people are not just blocking the space
with their trailers. If the car is there too you know they are
probably out on the boat.
Besides, a week at a time means during the week when there isn't a
space problem at most ramps anyway. Our fighting over space should be
directed away from each other and to the government to build us more
ramps. Check out fantastic new ramps at places like Fort Desoto near
Tampa, then look at the crappy lousy little ramps we have in New
England. Our boat taxes must be used to ...well, nevermind...lol, but
I don't think they're being used for boat ramps.
John C.

Parking Fees
 

Thanks to all for their input. Being that it is $5 for the vehicle and
$5-7.50 for the trailer, that's $10 or $12.50 per day except for canoes
and dinghies would end up being $5.
About 1.5 miles away from the launch is a public beach. Not much of a
place, about 400' of waterfront, on perhaps 3 acres. They have restrooms
with 3 stalls for the women (my wife says) and 2 urinals and 2 stalls
for the men. There's some picnic tables off the beach. There's parking
for about 100 cars, making the parking area as large as the rest of the
park. They do have a lifeguard and the place is fairly clean.
Parking is strictly residents only. They've sold decals ($10 per year)
for a good 300 cars, despite only having 100 spaces. The logic is some
of these people work in town and there is also a residents only parking
lot off the street.
You have to get in early. Anyone can use the beach. There's probably 100
other cars parked near the beach. Half residents, half out of towners.
This has left people with businesses or homes in the area rather miffed.
It is not a thriving area, but a little better than a mud hole.
The point of the honor system sounds good. I used to live in an area
where parking was $1 per day at the bus station, for commuters. It was
on the honor system. People were not paying for the most part.
Eventually parking meters went in and the fee to park was 25¢ per hour,
so commuters like myself had to pay $2.50 per day, plus have the hassle
of having so many quarters...
I also see the point of someone staying 4 days in a row costing $40-50.
In that perspective, it does seem excessive.
I suspect someone sees this as a cash cow for the town (which it may not
be) plus summer/weekend jobs for someone's kids.
I'm still not certain what I'll write or say, but I believe this needs
to be significantly revised before they vote on it.

Parking Fees
 

"user" wrote in message
In that perspective, it does seem excessive.
I suspect someone sees this as a cash cow for the town (which it may not
be) plus summer/weekend jobs for someone's kids.
I'm still not certain what I'll write or say, but I believe this needs
to be significantly revised before they vote on it.


Fee systems usually come about as a result of some community operating
commitee or board.. It is seldom that these things happen without an
opportunity for community input or objections..

Once they are in place the revenue is budgeted and it is much more difficult
and complicated to eliminate or modify a fee or use tax.

If you want to have a user fee removed, be prepared to offer suggestions on
where else this revenue could come from..

My recommendation is to follow all local proceedings with an eye towards
objecting to any new fees or increases to existing fees..

On any election day, my moto is not "I Voted", rather "I Voted No".. I vote
NO on everything..

The public service, fees and taxes were just fine at the time I retired 8
years ago and I don't need an increase in anything..

Steve
s/v Good Intentions

Parking Fees
 

On Thu, 27 Nov 2003 09:24:43 -0800, "Steve" wrote:


"user" wrote in message
In that perspective, it does seem excessive.
I suspect someone sees this as a cash cow for the town (which it may not
be) plus summer/weekend jobs for someone's kids.
I'm still not certain what I'll write or say, but I believe this needs
to be significantly revised before they vote on it.


Fee systems usually come about as a result of some community operating
commitee or board.. It is seldom that these things happen without an
opportunity for community input or objections..

Once they are in place the revenue is budgeted and it is much more difficult
and complicated to eliminate or modify a fee or use tax.

If you want to have a user fee removed, be prepared to offer suggestions on
where else this revenue could come from..

My recommendation is to follow all local proceedings with an eye towards
objecting to any new fees or increases to existing fees..

On any election day, my moto is not "I Voted", rather "I Voted No".. I vote
NO on everything..

The public service, fees and taxes were just fine at the time I retired 8
years ago and I don't need an increase in anything..

Steve
s/v Good Intentions

I agree. What happens is towns figure "boat people have a lot of
money, so lets go get some from them." It sucks.
John C.

Parking Fees
 

I agree. What happens is towns figure "boat people have a lot of
money, so lets go get some from them." It sucks.
John C.



If the money goes into a dedicated fund to
maintain/improve the boat ramp and associated parking lot, it's hard to see
what the beef would be----but that's a huge "if".

In WA, every gallon of gasoline sold is subject to a large tax to maintain
state highways. I believe the tax is now almost 30-cents a gallon, so every
time a driver burns 20 gallons of gas in his car he's
contributing $6 toward highway maintenance. Doesn't seem all that far out of
line- the roads aren't paved and maintained by magic.

When the law was put in, years ago, the legislature acknowledged that not all
gaoline is used by vehicles driving on a highway. Boaters are allowed to keep
track of their gasoline purchases, and individually file for a refund of the
gas tax each year. Of course, the paperwork is a hassle, a lot of boaters only
pay $15-20 in tax, and so most people don't file for the refund.

The unrefunded portion is *supposed* to go to improving boat ramps and other
boating-oriented uses. Ha! The state capped the refund at 19-cents when they
raised the tax beyond that point. That's almost understandable, since the
majority of boats that burn gasoline are traveling down the road on a trailer
for a lot more miles than they are travelling across the water.However, in most
years the money allocated for boating infrastructure gets raided for other
uses. What would seem to be a reasonable idea gets screwed up by greedy
politicians.

Conservatives should be applauding user fees for boat ramps, trailer parking,
etc.
This places the financial burden squarely on the shoulders of the people
benefitting from the service, rather than the taxpayers at large. :-)

Parking Fees
 

"Gould 0738" wrote in message
...
I agree. What happens is towns figure "boat people have a lot of
money, so lets go get some from them." It sucks.
John C.



If the money goes into a dedicated fund to
maintain/improve the boat ramp and associated parking lot, it's hard to
see
what the beef would be----but that's a huge "if".

In WA, every gallon of gasoline sold is subject to a large tax to maintain
state highways. I believe the tax is now almost 30-cents a gallon, so
every
time a driver burns 20 gallons of gas in his car he's
contributing $6 toward highway maintenance. Doesn't seem all that far out
of
line- the roads aren't paved and maintained by magic.

When the law was put in, years ago, the legislature acknowledged that not
all
gaoline is used by vehicles driving on a highway. Boaters are allowed to
keep
track of their gasoline purchases, and individually file for a refund of
the
gas tax each year. Of course, the paperwork is a hassle, a lot of boaters
only
pay $15-20 in tax, and so most people don't file for the refund.

The unrefunded portion is *supposed* to go to improving boat ramps and
other
boating-oriented uses. Ha! The state capped the refund at 19-cents when
they
raised the tax beyond that point. That's almost understandable, since the
majority of boats that burn gasoline are traveling down the road on a
trailer
for a lot more miles than they are travelling across the water.However, in
most
years the money allocated for boating infrastructure gets raided for other
uses. What would seem to be a reasonable idea gets screwed up by greedy
politicians.

Conservatives should be applauding user fees for boat ramps, trailer
parking,
etc.
This places the financial burden squarely on the shoulders of the people
benefitting from the service, rather than the taxpayers at large. :-)

The problem us fiscal conservatives have with the fees, is the usage.
California has (had) $35 billion + in the highway fund. Now we can not get
any highway improvements as there is no money in the state budget available.
Seems as if the Former Governor Gumby and his Legislature borrowed all the
money for the general fund. Reduced the deficit we saw. But still $35
Billion in money that has been stolen.

Parking Fees
 

Tax, tax, tax. Didn't you pay some already?

"user" wrote in message
...
My town's last board meeting discussed parking fees for the currently
free, public boat launch. There is parking for about 60 trucks and
trailers. It is always full and often people don't park properly making
it hard to park or leave.
The proposal was a $5 fee for the vehicle per day. Single axle trailers
less than 20' long another $5. Double axle trailers or single axle
trailers over 20' long, $7.50. The estimate of revenue is $2,000 per
week May-October and $1,000 per weekend mid-March-April and November.
The parking would be free those week days. December-early March would be
free, but doubtful anyone would be there.
The argument I agree with is there needs to be more order in the current
parking situation. I suppose the fees charged will easily cover the cost
of a parking attendant. While it wasn't mentioned, I'd like to see the
leftover money going to improvements in the lakefront area, rather than
lost in the overall budget.
I do think the fees are excessive however. Certainly some people will
not come to our town to eat, shop or buy gas because they will find
another free parking lot within 10 miles on the same lake.
Do any of you pay to park or launch at your public boat launch. If you
didn't now, would you consider these fees excessive? Is there a
difference for residents vs. non-residents?
I plan on writing the town board voicing my opinions, but would like to
know about other peoples opinions first.
Thanks.

Parking Fees
 

FWIW, at the Breakwater launch ramp in Monterey, it's $8/day for a single
vehicle, $12/day for tow vehicle and trailer, 9:00 a.m. till sometime at night.
You can also pay by the hour. ($1.50/hour single, I think, I always get the all-day).
TVs & trailers only in most of the lot till noon. No charge to launch. There's
a machine that takes credit cards or cash.

What are their enforcement costs going to be? Monterey has several
meter "maids" (one looks like an NFL lineman) in Cushman three-wheelers.

And that "over 20" rule is going to be a pain to enforce.



--
Chuck Tribolet

http://www.almaden.ibm.com/cs/people/triblet

Silicon Valley: STILL the best day job in the world.


"user" wrote in message ...
My town's last board meeting discussed parking fees for the currently
free, public boat launch. There is parking for about 60 trucks and
trailers. It is always full and often people don't park properly making
it hard to park or leave.
The proposal was a $5 fee for the vehicle per day. Single axle trailers
less than 20' long another $5. Double axle trailers or single axle
trailers over 20' long, $7.50. The estimate of revenue is $2,000 per
week May-October and $1,000 per weekend mid-March-April and November.
The parking would be free those week days. December-early March would be
free, but doubtful anyone would be there.
The argument I agree with is there needs to be more order in the current
parking situation. I suppose the fees charged will easily cover the cost
of a parking attendant. While it wasn't mentioned, I'd like to see the
leftover money going to improvements in the lakefront area, rather than
lost in the overall budget.
I do think the fees are excessive however. Certainly some people will
not come to our town to eat, shop or buy gas because they will find
another free parking lot within 10 miles on the same lake.
Do any of you pay to park or launch at your public boat launch. If you
didn't now, would you consider these fees excessive? Is there a
difference for residents vs. non-residents?
I plan on writing the town board voicing my opinions, but would like to
know about other peoples opinions first.
Thanks.

Parking Fees
 

On Wed, 26 Nov 2003 17:20:24 +0000, user wrote:

My town's last board meeting discussed parking fees for the currently free,
public boat launch. There is parking for about 60 trucks and trailers. It is
always full and often people don't park properly making it hard to park or
leave.
The proposal was a $5 fee for the vehicle per day. Single axle trailers less
than 20' long another $5. Double axle trailers or single axle trailers over 20'
long, $7.50. The estimate of revenue is $2,000 per week May-October and $1,000
per weekend mid-March-April and November. The parking would be free those week
days. December-early March would be free, but doubtful anyone would be there.
The argument I agree with is there needs to be more order in the current parking
situation. SNIP

Here in Canada, most ramps charge for parking rather than "launching". Most have
machines where you get your parking ticket, and I assume a "metermaid" kinda
person to check the tickets. A few have "attendants" that also help "traffic
control" at the ramp, sell bait, tackle, ice cream, etc. and usually have Good
Advice about fishing. You can tell them where you're going if you're going over
a day and they will inform the CG if your vehicle is still there after you're
supposed to be back.

Provincial Parks (where a lot of ramps are) have recently started charging for
parking, and there's quite an underground "economy" where people leaving will
give their parking tickets to those arriving. After all, we've already paid for
the park: why should we pay for parking?

Has it helped the "chaos" of the parking area? Not that I've noticed.

I think a SINGLE parking fee is the best, using a machine. Easy to set up, easy
to monitor. The "Attendant" can be nice but not necessary, and the complex
system you're proposing sounds way too hard to set up and monitor!

BTW: Parking-machine ramps are usually $3-7, and ones with attendants are around
$10-15 (CDN)

Lloyd

Parking Fees
 

Marina Del Rey is $2 for a single vehicle and $5 for boat and trailer.
Machine and gate takes cash or credit card.

"Lloyd Sumpter" wrote in message
...
On Wed, 26 Nov 2003 17:20:24 +0000, user wrote:

My town's last board meeting discussed parking fees for the currently
free,
public boat launch. There is parking for about 60 trucks and trailers.
It is
always full and often people don't park properly making it hard to park
or
leave.
The proposal was a $5 fee for the vehicle per day. Single axle trailers
less
than 20' long another $5. Double axle trailers or single axle trailers
over 20'
long, $7.50. The estimate of revenue is $2,000 per week May-October and
$1,000
per weekend mid-March-April and November. The parking would be free
those week
days. December-early March would be free, but doubtful anyone would be
there.
The argument I agree with is there needs to be more order in the current
parking
situation. SNIP

Here in Canada, most ramps charge for parking rather than "launching".
Most have
machines where you get your parking ticket, and I assume a "metermaid"
kinda
person to check the tickets. A few have "attendants" that also help
"traffic
control" at the ramp, sell bait, tackle, ice cream, etc. and usually have
Good
Advice about fishing. You can tell them where you're going if you're going
over
a day and they will inform the CG if your vehicle is still there after
you're
supposed to be back.

Provincial Parks (where a lot of ramps are) have recently started charging
for
parking, and there's quite an underground "economy" where people leaving
will
give their parking tickets to those arriving. After all, we've already
paid for
the park: why should we pay for parking?

Has it helped the "chaos" of the parking area? Not that I've noticed.

I think a SINGLE parking fee is the best, using a machine. Easy to set up,
easy
to monitor. The "Attendant" can be nice but not necessary, and the complex
system you're proposing sounds way too hard to set up and monitor!

BTW: Parking-machine ramps are usually $3-7, and ones with attendants are
around
$10-15 (CDN)

Lloyd