The Office of the Inspector General (OIG) conducted an inspection of the Parking Department’s issuance of Citywide (CW) and G Parking Permits.  OIG report NO. 20-20 dated September 23, 2020 (Exhibit “A”) lists identified deficiencies and makes recommendations to strengthen controls and standardize the issuance, tracking and timely deactivation of CW and G Permits.  

The report identifies 5 different groups receiving CW and/or G permits:

·         Board and Committee members

·         Current City officials, City employees (except Fire Department) City contractors, and approved employees of City agencies

·         Fire Department employees

·         Miscellaneous: including former City officials and current non-City public officials

·         Special Masters

 In the report the OIG makes the following recommendations:

1.    The parking application should be modified to include justification of a CW or G permit.

2.    The Parking Department should establish a process to monitor CW and G permits and develop a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) to ensure compliance and enhance accountability.

3.    A process should be created and followed whereby the Parking Department is promptly notified of termination of Board and Committee members, termination of City employees, contract or term expiration, etc.  to ensure parking privileges are rescinded in a timely manner.

4.    A maximum of 50 CW permits be issued to Fire Department staff assigned to Station #1 and all other CW parking needs be addressed by the issuance of temporary hangtags.

5.    Only one (1) permit be issued per person to minimize the perception of abuse.

6.    The City Commission should make the final determination as to the criteria for the issuance of CW and G permits and that issuance should be based on employee classification or on the established need of an individual to park in different City locations for business purposes.

7.    The Commission should issue a resolution granting former City officials one (1) CW permit.

Items 1, 2 and 3 have been addressed through the proposed application and SOP attached hereto, as Exhibit “B” and “C” respectively, for your review. 

As to item 4, it is recommended the correct number of CW permits be issued to Fire Department staff as requested by the Fire Chief and approved by the City Manager.  Temporary long-term needs should be approved through the City Manager with a beginning and end date.  Short-term needs should be addressed through the Parking Department by a “do not Cite or Tow” request, in writing, from the Fire Chief valid for one (1) or two (2) days.

For item 5 it must be noted that Committee and Board members as well as former City officials are granted only one (1) CW permit except for individuals with motorcycles or scooters who receive an additional permit.  The additional permit is in keeping with the City’s support of alternative transportation, but a permit for a car is still issued for days of inclement weather.  City employees with CW or G permits have traditionally been allowed 2 permits as some use alternate vehicles for various reasons. 

Regarding item 6 and 7, as recommended by the OIG, attached for your review is a draft of a proposed resolution (Exhibit “D”) establishing the criteria for the issuance of CW and G parking permits. This resolution will be placed on the next City Commission agenda for approval by the Mayor and City Commission.

It recommended that the FCWPC:

1.    Review and comment on the Employee Parking Permit Application (Exhibit “B)

2.    Review and comment on the SOP for CW and G Parking permits (Exhibit “C”)

3.    Forward to the full Commission with a favorable recommendation the Resolution establishing the criteria for issuance of CW and G parking permits (Exhibit “D”)