Dean Dennis: STRS Parking Garage Information

From Dean Dennis

September 14, 2021

STRS Parking Garage Information

I spoke with Gary Russell, Deputy Executive Director - Member Benefits and Chief Benefits Officer, today regarding the STRS parking garage for monthly membership meetings. I mentioned that I understood some STRS members were turned away from parking in the garage the last membership meeting. Below is the information Director Russell provided.

The members were turned away because the main meeting room and the overflow room were at full capacity. Director Russell stated that full capacity is approximately 120 seats and when 120 name tags are passed out, the garage is closed.

Regarding, the specifics of the garage: Level A, holds 75 spaces of which 6 are marked as handicapped. Level B,C,D,E of the garage do not have access to the main level. Director Russell said the only way to get to ground level from the upper levels is to walk back down the ramp where cars would be driving up. He thought if members parked on the upper levels it would create a safety risk. Also, shared was that the only way to get into the building from the upper levels was to have an employee key card. When asked about just keeping a door open and ask members to walk, or take the elevator, down to the first floor to register for the meeting monthly Board Meeting, two reasons were stated, 1) it's unnecessary because level A has enough spaces to handle the capacity of the two rooms (main and overflow) and 2) having members come into the building, through an open door, on an upper level would be a security issue for staff.

Lastly, when I learned that STRS had a capacity of approximately 120 for attending a Board meeting (I'm assuming this is the limit because of COVID seating) and asked, why not open another room for overflow? Director Russell stated that what they provided was more capacity than many city councils and their capacity limit was reasonable.