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President's Message
Greetings SWPA Member,

It's hard to believe that this last year flew by so fast and that we are already heading into February! In keeping with the time-honored tradition of making New Year's Resolutions, I am making a couple of resolutions as the new SWPA president:
  • I resolve to make sure that this newsletter is produced and distributed to you on a quarterly basis. I will also send out special editions to recap the annual conference and to announce the elections results.
  • I resolve to seriously and thoroughly research different mediums and outlets that will allow members to communicate with each other and for the board to better communicate with the members.
  • Finally, I resolve to represent the association on the IPI State/Regional Outreach Committee and push initiatives and programs that benefit SWPA and other regional associations.
This month, the 2009 SWPA Board of Directors met for the first time this year to discuss new business and to elect its officers for the upcoming year. The board is exploring new revenue streams that will allow it to continue to support professional development opportunities to its members. One opportunity is the IPI's Emerging Leader Scholarship program that allows for one recipient from SWPA to attend for his/her first time IPI's annual conference held in Denver, CO this year. I will be sending out information and more details about opportunities to SWPA member organizations within the next couple of weeks. The 2009 SWPA Board Officers are: We are only eight months away from the 8th Annual SWPA Conference & Trade Show in Reno, Nevada. However, the planning and preparation has already been underway for two months. Michelle Horton from the University of Nevada, Reno, has been busy securing the Silver Legacy Resort Casino as this year's hotel and conference site, and is also coordinating the networking activities. If you are interested in working on the Conference Committee, presenting, showing or sponsoring the conference, please contact Michelle Horton at mhorton@unr.edu or any board member. Be on the lookout for sponsorship opportunities, call for presentations and vendor information in the next couple of months!

The New Year also brought an unexpected gift for one of our past presidents. Jim and Tara Sayre had a brand-new baby girl on Jan. 3. Bella Sayre was born at around 5:30 pm, weighing 2lbs 9oz and measuring 13 ½ inches long. Tara had to deliver Bella 2 ½ months early due to complications in her pregnancy. Tara has been released from the hospital and is recovering well with Jim as they stay at the Ronald McDonald House in Las Vegas, Nevada, for the next couple of months while Bella continues to grow and develop. The good news is that Bella only needed breathing assistance for a few days and is doing extremely well for being born premature. Please email me if you would like more information or updates on Jim's family over the next couple of months. I will pass along your well wishes and keep you informed.
I had the pleasure of attending the IPI Winter Meetings in Florida on Jan. 15 and represent SWPA at the Allied State/Regional Committee meeting chaired by Casey Jones. This meeting was very productive in discussing with IPI's new executive director, Shawn Conrad, some issues that all associations in attendance felt were important. I look forward to having Casey or Shawn share their thoughts and ideas on how IPI can benefit SWPA in the SWPA newsletters, so be on the lookout in the News from IPI section.

I look forward to leading the Southwest Parking Association and keeping the great reputation that the past presidents have all worked so hard to build and maintain. It is thanks to Patrick Kass, Melinda Helton, Ray Humbert, Jim Sayre and Tad MacDowell that SWPA is the fine organization it is today.

Regards,

A. Gabriel Mendez
2009 President
Arnold.mendez@asu.edu
SWPA MEMBER NEWS
  • Invoices were recently sent out for your annual membership renewals. Please contact Cherie Hudson at Cherie.hudson@asu.edu if you have any questions. If you did not receive a renewal notice or are not a member and want to become one visit our website for membership information and to join SWPA.


  • Patrick J. Kass, CAPP, Director of Parking & Transportation Services at The University of Arizona, is leaving on February 6, 2009, after a 9 year distinguished career.

    Patrick came to the UA in 1999 as Associate Director of Parking & Transportation Services (PTS) and was promoted to Director in 2000. Under Patrick's leadership, PTS built three new parking garages, added a new visitor area to the Cherry Avenue Garage, constructed new surface lots, and initiated various on-line services. He was also instrumental in implementing many new transportation programs for the UA campus. Patrick has been involved in many committees while here on campus: He served on the Strategic Planning & Budget Advisory Committee (SPBAC) and is a founding member of the Southwest Parking Association.

    SWPA's Board wishes Patrick happiness in his new pursuits at the University of Wisconsin and we will miss the loss of his contributions.

  • David Heineking, SWPA Vice President, has been appointed Patrick Kass' successor and will be the new Director of Parking & Transportation Services at The University of Arizona.
GENERAL INFO
The Southwest Parking Association strongly encourages professional development within the parking industry. To support this goal, the association will give financial assistance each year to SWPA members attending a parking conference, training workshop or seminar. Preference is given to events sponsored by SWPA and the International Parking Institute (IPI).

Qualifications: To be eligible for a SWPA Scholarship, an applicant must:
  • Be a member of SWPA
  • Be employed in the parking/transportation industry for at least 1 year
  • Include a recommendation by his/her employer/supervisor
  • Provide a complete application package by the stated deadline below
Click here for the Application Process

SWPA does expect the requesting organization to pay a portion of the expenses. Expenses may include registration, travel expense, meals and/or lodging. The financial assistance will vary depending upon the number of organizations requesting funds. For additional information, please email the Committee Chair, Linda Riegel. Required Attachments:
  • Cover Letter which includes your career interests and goals, an explanation of why financial assistance would be beneficial to you/your organization, and how the scholarship will help your current position
  • Resume
  • Letter of recommendation from your employer/supervisor
  • Scholarship Application: Check the SWPA website.
  • DEADLINE: The required materials must be submitted to each committee member listed above at least 45 days prior to the training or conference date.
Parking In The News
Coral Springs considers ordinance providing for 'green parking'

Vehicles that conserve gas will have priority parking spaces

By Lisa J. Huriash
South Florida Sun-Sentinel

First there were handicapped parking spots marked in blue, then the baby-buggy spots marked with stroller signs. Now Coral Springs wants the environmentally savvy to get preferred parking marked in green.

Vice Mayor Vincent Boccard has requested the perk for drivers of gas-saving hybrids, electric cars and motorcycles.

The city attorney is drafting an ordinance; if the commission agrees, businesses will have to set aside the spots and other drivers will have to avoid them.

City Attorney Sam Goren said Coral Springs would be the first municipality in Broward County to reward green-conscious drivers.

He said he is still researching legal implications and how many spots the city could require be turned into green-only spaces. Details such as the penalties for the green spot-stealing drivers ofgas guzzlers also must be determined. There is no timetable yet for a vote.

If the initiative is approved, Coral Springs will follow Miami Beach, which began offering special green parking earlier this year. Residents with hybrids can buy decals for $100 a year and avoid extra charges based on how long they park in the city's metered spots. They also get reserved spots in one city garage.

In Palm Beach County, at least one city has considered the idea. In October, Boynton Beach's green task force listed "green" parking spots in its recommendation of earth-friendly measures. Commissioners have not yet discussed the preferential parking.

Boccard got the green idea from Robert Behan, a Coral Springs police officer. He said it's a great way to encourage environmentally friendly transportation.

"We're talking about everything going green," Boccard said. "It gives them some sort of reward for their effort, convenience for parking up front for doing the right thing."

But Nora Urquia, owner of Touch of Class Day Spa in Coral Springs, said the measure rewards the wealthy.

"Everyone would like to buy a car like that but most people don't have the finances to do that right now," she said. "You're going to punish them if they don't have a hybrid car?"

She said her 20-year-old son owns a Prius hybrid, and she doesn't mind seeing him park in the back of a lot.

"He can walk," she said.

Staff Writer Erika Pesantes contributed to this report.

Lisa J. Huriash can be reached at lhuriash@SunSentinel.com or 954-572-2008.
Copyright © 2008, South Florida Sun-Sentinel

Time's up for 'feeding meters' in downtown

Houston City Council approves tighter parking rules; drivers who stay beyond time allotted will get ticketed

By BRADLEY OLSON and PEGGY O'HARE
Copyright © 2009 Houston Chronicle

Watch out, Houston drivers, because "feeding the meter" is now officially illegal. The city soon will begin more strictly enforcing the time limits posted at meters after a little-discussed update to a parking ordinance sailed through City Council Wednesday.

So, if the meter says two hours, you really can stay only two hours.

Drivers who stay beyond the posted limit will get a ticket, even if they have paid for additional time or have bought the "Downtown Hopper," a $6 pass that is meant to allow people to park in various areas without having to pay every time.

"We don't want people to abuse the meters," said City Councilman James Rodriguez, whose district includes much of downtown. "We want people to do their business and move on. Citizens need an equal opportunity to park downtown, and this is a way to better manage that curbspace."

The move was greeted with disdain by some downtown drivers.

"It's already hell to find parking downtown to begin with," said leasing agent Tiffany Tyler, 25, who occasionally visits downtown. "I try to find street parking when I'm down here because I just don't want to pay $8 or $10 to park somewhere when I'm trying to go to a nice restaurant and have a good time."

Liliana Rambo, the city's director of parking management, said updating the law was necessary to keep spaces available in many well-worn spots, such as the courthouse complex or around sports stadiums. She added that it also will make it easier for customers of restaurants and retail outlets to park. Those who need to stay longer can move their vehicles elsewhere, Rambo said. "We want to create the turnover on the curbspace," she said.

Although city officials said they consulted stakeholders on the matter, a spokeswoman for the Greater Houston Restaurant Association said the group had not requested the action. In fact, some restaurateurs opposed the measure.

"Parking enforcement is already causing people not to come downtown," said Michael Massa, owner of Massa's restaurant and a board member of the Houston Downtown Alliance.

He said he has worked with city officials on parking matters in the past, but was unaware of this policy change. He also said others he has spoken to about it "want relief" from parking enforcement.

"We don't have people dying to come downtown and shop," he said. The law also bans anyone from putting money in someone else's meter. Tickets for exceeding the time limit, like those for when a meter has expired, are $25. Between 10 to 15 parking meter officers generally are working downtown on any given day. They will be able to know if a vehicle has exceeded the time limit by tracking license plates through hand-held devices, city officials said. Drivers can expect a one-month grace period when they will be given warnings for violations, officials said. Councilwoman Sue Lovell said that may not be enough.

"We need to educate consumers about that and make it very clear why we've changed," she said, indicating that she hoped council would explore how to get the word out about the change. Lovell suggested using messages on the city's Web site and 3-1-1 customer service line.

Allan Johnson, 57, a frequent downtown visitor, said, "What are you supposed to do — move your car from one place to another?"
NEWS from IPI
As the largest conference of its kind, there are ample opportunities to connect with over 2,500 attendees to develop new business prospects and invigorate existing relationships with your current customers, vendors and peers.

Much was accomplished for IPI and its membership recently at its Winter Meeting, January 13-16 in Orlando, Florida. More than 80 IPI Directors, Advisors, CAPP candidates, Committee members and state and Regional association leaders participated in IPI's winter meetings. Meeting highlights include:
  • IPI's Board of Directors approved funding for a second round of Emerging Leader Scholarships. The purpose of the scholarship program is to expose current state and regional association leaders with an opportunity to learn more about IPI and the industry, increase the number of first time attendees at IPI's annual conference, strengthen the value proposition for prospective members of state or regional associations, prepare talented members of state and regional associations for leadership positions in their associations and the industry and strengthen and stabilize state and regional associations.

    This year 10 scholarships will be offered. The first 10 IPI allied state or regional parking associations with a qualifying scholarship program will be granted one complementary registration for the IPI annual conference to be awarded as follows.

    • The award shall be matched by the state or regional association in one of the following manners: 1) award of a cash stipend of $600 or more to the same individual to offset lodging, travel, or other costs associated with participation in the IPI annual conference, 2) purchase of a second IPI annual conference registration to be awarded to another candidate, or 3) award of a cash stipend of $600 or more to a different individual to offset lodging, travel, or other costs associated with participation in the IPI annual conference.
    • The state or regional will have a formal and well-documented application and review process.
    • The state or regional association will have clearly defined award criteria that is supportive of the scholarship's purpose.
    • The award will be made to an individual who has not previously attended the IPI annual conference.
    • In the event that the award is made to an affiliate member, they may not work at the trade show or participate in other commercial activities.

    For more information please contact Casey Jones at 303-492-9600 or c.jones@colorado.edu.

  • IPI will be hosting a association "boot camp" program on Saturday, May 16, in Denver just prior to the International Parking Conference and Expo. The full-day session, geared toward association leaders will provide invaluable organizational development training specifically for volunteer associations. Topics to be covered include building strong volunteer organizations, by-law development, membership recruitment and development, communications, goal setting and strategic planning. More information on this exciting conference addition will be available soon.

  • The IPI Board of Advisors will now be known as the IPI Advisory Council. The Council will serve as IPI's "think tank" and will provide a first look at issues and provide guidance to IPI. At this meeting the Council discussed the value of parking and transportation professionals, IPI's role in public relations for the industry and collaborative research with the International Downtown Association, state and regional associations and other strategic partners such as the Association for Commuter Transportation (ACT), American Planning Association (APA), Society for College and University Planners (SCUP), and the League of Cities.

  • Henry Wallmeyer was introduced as IPI's new Deputy Director. Henry has extensive association experience and will oversee membership services and sales and marketing.

  • The IPI Education Committee, formally the Programs Committee, has expanded its focus to cover more than just the seminar program during IPI's annual conference. Now, all facets of education are within the committee's purview including distance learning, specialized training offered through IPI and other educational efforts. Curriculum development will be done in the context of adult learning needs and process improvement will be done through evaluation and outreach directly to IPI members.

  • Starting in 2010 IPI will no longer have a vice chairman position on the Board of Directors. Instead, IPI's Directors will elect a chairman-elect who will serve as the incoming chairman of the Board. The Board will therefore be electing a chairman-elect every other year and the secretary/treasurer each year. The Executive Committee will be comprised of the Chair, Chair-elect, Secretary/treasurer and the immediate Past Chair.

  • IPI Technology Committee Chair Richard Easley and Mike Drow presented a session on Technology Trends in Parking. The session was developed after extensive work with IPI state and regional associations and is now available to any allied association. The session explores newly emerging technologies of the future such as credit card in/out, license plate inventory and recognition, hand-held devices, RFID (radio frequency identification) and AVI (automated vehicle identification), smart cards, central cashiering and pay-on-foot, web based parking management systems, wireless sensors, mobile phones and GPS systems, and wayfinding and variable message signs. Anyone interested in scheduling this session should contact Richard Easley at reasley@e-square.org.
2009 SWPA ANNUAL CONFERENCE & EVENT INFO
8th Annual Conference and Trade Show
September 28-October 2, 2009
Reno, Nevada

The 8th Annual SWPA Conference & Trade Show will be held at the beautiful Silver Legacy Resort Hotel Casino in Reno, Nevada. Come to the conference and trade show to attend the great educational sessions and visit industry vendors; but stay for the fun!  The Conference Committee has some great networking events planned for attendees. These planned events include a Slingin' Slots Tournament and the conference's annual Golf Classic.
OTHER SWPA EVENTS IN 2009
Front Line Staff
Tactical Communications Training
April 3, 2009
Albuquerque, New Mexico

On April 3, 2009, SWPA will host a Tactical Communications training session taught by Cindy Campbell in Albuquerque, New Mexico. This is a great opportunity to send your front line staff to a training that will give them the tools they need to diffuse potentially volatile situations and to provide optimal customer service. For more information contact Michelle Guajardo at mguajardo1@cnm.edu.
3rd Annual Warren Reynolds
Scholarship Fund Golf Classic
April 16, 2009
Ocotillo Golf Resort
Chandler, Arizona

April 16, 2009, is the 3rd Annual Warren Reynolds Scholarship Fund Golf Classic, held at the Ocotillo Golf Resort in Chandler, Arizona. The proceeds from this fundraising event go to the SWPA Warren Reynolds Scholarship fund to assist in sending SWPA member organizations' staff to professional development opportunities.  For sponsorship and registration information contact Gabe Mendez at arnold.mendez@asu.edu.
Just for Laughs
A businessman walked into a New York City bank and asked for the loan officer. He said he was going to Europe on business for two weeks and needed to borrow $5,000. The loan officer said the bank would need some security for such a loan.

The business man then handed over the keys to a Rolls Royce that was parked on the street in front of the bank. Everything checked out and the loan officer accepted the car as collateral for the loan. An employee then drove the Rolls into the bank's underground garage and parked it there.

Two weeks later the businessman returned, repaid the $5,000 and the interest which came to $15.41.

The loan officer said, "We do appreciate your business and this transaction has worked out very nicely, but we are a bit puzzled. While you were away we checked and found that you are a multimillionaire. What puzzles us is why you would bother to borrow $5,000?"

The business man replied: "Where else in New York City can I park my car for two weeks for fifteen bucks?"
What every handicapped parking sign needs…

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