Cathy Bell reported they haven't met. The Chair has stepped down and the next meeting will be scheduled after a new Chair is appointed. Elmer Gray reported that due to many complaints about parking enforcement, he invited the Chief of Police, Lonnie Saxon to our last meeting to provide insight on parking enforcement. Unfortunately, the information that he provided did not paint a pretty picture. Basically, it comes down to money, there are currently only 4 parking enforcement personnel on duty during first shift with two additional people out for several weeks to come.
Second shift has two people with one person on duty third shift and weekends.
We asked what he thought would be the best way to improve enforcement and he thought more personnel. Apparently he has been requesting for more funding for this area and it is not a priority of the administration. Prof. Christenbury was instrumental in helping accomplish this change. Unfortunately, this will be a small offset to the 100 spaces that will be lost this summer when the Ag Biotech building construction begins this summer. Increasing parking ticket rates was discussed, but no consensus could be reached.