Proponents say the new meters are "user friendly" because they accept credit cards as well as coins. The parking commission recommended that the new meters charge the same rates on Shore area streets as they do now (50 cents/hour); double rates in City owned Shore parking lots (from 25 cents/hr to 50 cents/hour, matching Shore street meter rates) and charge credit card users a "convenience fee" (that city staff has cautioned may be legally problematic.) The Commission's recommendations would leave parking time limits as they are now: two hours with enforcement 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. seven days a week on Shore streets, eight hours for 48 southerly meters in City owned Shore parking lots.

The recommendations, made,at the parking commission's Sept. 18 meeting, came after lengthy Commission discussion but without voted dissent on a motion by Commission member Kurt Schneiter.

A substitute motion by Commission chair Bill Lorbeer, substantively similar to Scheniter's, recommended also installing meter sensors (a "puck") that would give data on vehicle use; it received only 2 of 5 Commissioners' votes. A majority of the parking commissioners didn't believe it would be helpful to know when a car parks at a particular spot on the street, or when it pulls out, according to Commission member Lisa Ramelow, adding that the commission didn't see the likelihood of having a sign or an app that says, "Hey, there's a spot available over on Covina."

The advisory panel's recommendations now go to the decision-making City Council, where city staff may present its own recommendations and downtown area stakeholders may do likewise for "smart meters" in their area. (Downtown Long Beach Associates, which receives a share of downtown parking meter revenue, will be hosting a forum for community input on the city's parking meter study on Sept. 24 at 3 p.m. at the Small Business Development Center, 309 Pine Ave.)

In August, city staff released a consultant-prepared Parking Study which recommended raising meter rates in the Shore to $1 per hour and to $1.50 per hour in the "downtown core." Belmont Shore parking advisory commissioners noted that the $1 rate drew negative responses from the public at a special Sept. 8 nighttime commission meeting, with residents voicing concern that it would lead more drivers to try and park in residential areas.

Following the Sept. 8 Shore area public testimony, the Commission received documents dated Sept 12 presenting options and revenue estimates for lesser meter rate increases. The two documents are linked for reference here and here.

Belmont Shore's retail and restaurant row district could end up getting 524 "smart" meters -- 368 on the streets and 156 in seven parking lots -- Parking Commission President Bill Lorbeer told LBREPORT.com.

There are currently 48 meters in City-owned Shore lots that charge $2 for a whole day (eight hours); under the Commission's recommendations, the time period would remain unchanged but the meters would charge 50 cents per hour (matching street meter rates.)

In August, city management advised the Council [memo below] that the new "smart meters" come with "additional cost and operational considerations" and said "a modest rate increase will be needed to ensure that the city will continue to achieve long-term net-revenue neutrality and be able to afford smart meters in the future as credit card use becomes more prominent, or if revenue from the installation of the new meters does not materialize." The Parking Study cautioned in pertinent part that the current parking meter rate structure will not support the new meters which come with additional operational costs (details below.)

The parking study recommended doubling the current hourly rate from 50 cents to $1.00 in Belmont Shore with a 50 cent raise also for LB's "downtown core" (going from $1.00 to $1.50/hr.) but leaving the rate as it is for "The Pike" ($2.00/hour.)

City management's August memo to the Council (below) includes the consultant-prepared Parking Study:

Long Beach Parking Meter Report (Aug. 2014)

Belmont Shore parking meter revenue is currently deposited into a Belmont Shore Parking Meter Fund for uses intended to benefit the Belmont Shore Parking and Business Improvement Area (with the uses overseen by the Belmont Shore parking commission.)

Downtown parking meter revenue goes into the General Fund but under an agreement with Downtown Long Beach Associates, DLBA receives 50% of net meter revenue (revenue minus expenses) from downtown meters.

Pike parking meter revenue goes into the Rainbow Harbor fund to offset the cost of operations in the Pike area, with net proceeds accruing to the Aquarium of the Pacific.

IPS, a San Diego-based company, is the vendor that city planners are considering to replace the 1,620 meters throughout the three metered areas of the Shore, downtown and the Pike.