GALVESTON — Park board trustees on Friday unanimously approved a controversial plan to put parking meters on both sides of Seawall Boulevard. The decision came just days after opponents filed legal documents asking an appeals court to send the matter to a referendum.
Papers filed Wednesday in the 14th District Court of Appeals request that City Secretary Barbara Lawrence be compelled to certify a 2,552-signature petition calling for a charter amendment election.
If approved, that amendment would require the city council to hold a referendum on paid parking along the Seawall.
Greg Roof, who filed the legal documents along with Garrik Addison, declined to comment.
Before Friday’s park board vote, at least a dozen residents expressed concerns with the proposed beach user fees and questioned the board’s jurisdiction over the Seawall.
Gil Langley, president and CEO of the board, said he hoped some of those concerns were addressed by details of the proposal. The proposal includes a five-year contract with Ampco System Parking to install pay-and-display parking meters and kiosks along the south side of Seawall Boulevard from 10th to 61st streets. More traditional parking meters would be placed on the north side of the street.
“We have put a lot of thought and consideration into this plan,” Langley said at the meeting.
“We have to remain flexible and responsive. If we want to change the program, even the first year, we have the ability to do so.”
Langley said previously that he would consider legal action to protect the board’s jurisdiction of a so-called Seawall Beach Urban Park, which runs from 10th to 61st streets along the Seawall.
At Friday’s meeting, Langley clarified himself, stating that legal action was just one of many possibilities he has considered.
The meters are expected to generate at least $600,000 a year for Seawall area improvements.
Langley said proceeds would be used to enhance such existing services as beach patrol and cleanup during the first year. A master plan for major renovations would by completed for the following years.
The plan now goes to the city’s planning commission, then to the city council and finally to the Texas General Land Office.
Langley said that if everything went smoothly the fee system could be in place in 60 to 75 days.
The petition filed in the appeals court Wednesday could change things, though.
The court of appeals could issue a writ of mandamus forcing Lawrence to certify the referendum petition.
A charter amendment petition was rejected by the city secretary’s office on Jan. 7 because the proposed amendment conflicted with the city charter, state law and the Texas Constitution, according a letter from Lawrence.
While the park board’s decision Friday was unanimous, board members pleaded their cases to the audience before the vote.
Board member Miguel Aleman, who last month voted against a motion to develop the paid parking plan, said he changed his mind because “we need the money.”
“I am going to vote for it, reluctantly,” he said. “To that guy who comes down from Houston with a dirty T-shirt and a six pack of beer, he’d better bring $8 with him.”
Proposed fees for the meters vary along the Seawall, with an $8 a day charge for most spots on the south side of the street and a $1 an hour charge for parking on the north side.
Parking would be free in some locations, including on the north side of Seawall Boulevard between 10th and 32nd streets and on the south side between 23rd and 25th streets.
