April 3, 2008

Parking Commission

Agenda
  1. Call to Order and Minutes;
  2. Discuss Sub-Committee Report;
  3. Review Chapter 2 of Lots of Parking: Land Use in a Car Culture;
  4. Consider Other Business
Minutes

Members Present: Chairman Commissioner Mike Williams, Kevin Swann, Rick Engen, Karen Bergum, Margie Bailly

Others Present: Bob Stein, John Rogne, Paula Aalgaard, Sgt. Mike Mitchell, Rob Lynch, Dave Anderson, Tony Fennell

Commissioner Williams called the meeting to order.  Mr. Engen moved to approve the minutes of the March 6, 2008 meeting and Mr. Swann seconded the motion.  All members present voted aye and the motion was declared carried.

Parking Subcommittee Report
Mr. Stein reviewed the observations and conclusions of the subcommittee. He noted that overnight parking was an obstacle to cleaning downtown streets.  He reviewed other options for parking enforcement and promoting off-street parking on weekends.  The Commission discussed the impacts of the subcommittee’s suggestions, including seven-day enforcement, lot cleaning, and other issues.

Mr. Fennell reviewed their street and avenue cleaning schedules.  He discussed with the Commission the problems that the Street Department encountered with parked cars.  He noted that the Street Department had issues about 6,900 parking tickets since November 1, 2007.  He explained the sidewalk sweeping program and discussed it with the Commission.  Mr. Anderson asked about towing illegally parked vehicles and Mr. Fennell responded that the City ended up paying for the towing.

Mr. Stein discussed bike racks and street sweeping with Mr. Fennell.  Commissioner Williams asked about bike trees where the bikes hang vertically and take up less room.  The Commission discussed other ideas for reducing trash and addressing other issues downtown.  Sgt. Mitchell agreed that increasing enforcement, including towing vehicles, may be more effective.  He stated that another Community Services Officer (CSO) may be added to the staff, which would help with enforcement.  Mr. Engen pointed out that thousands of students would be coming downtown beginning in the fall of 2009.

Ms. Bergum noted that communication would be key to any implementation.  The Commission discussed towing and parking boots as addressed in the current and coming ordinances.  Commissioner Williams asked how enforcement could be improved.  Sgt. Mitchell responded that a definitive answer from the city attorney regarding offenses for which people can be towed would help with clear communications.  The Commission discussed options for enforcement and possible changes, including different parking rules for Broadway during the winter to aid snow removal.

The Commission discussed updates necessary for the Downtown Residential Parking Permit Program brochure.  They considered changes to spots available for program participants, including the south side of 3rd Avenue North in the near future, and the need to monitor demand.  Mr. Stein pointed out that signage and media communication would be key to making the program work.  He suggested a new brochure to advertise the off-street options on evenings and weekends and the Commission agreed.  They discussed a parking lot party to draw attention to off-street options and the timing of such an event and an article in the City Snapshot, including the short-move ordinance.

Ms. Bergum moved that the parking time limits in the downtown area be changed from five days a week to seven days a week.  Ms. Bailly seconded the motion.  Sgt. Mitchell stated that the ordinance would need to be changed to reflect a daily enforcement.  Mr. Engen pointed out that this would be a proactive approach to dealing with the large number of students that would be parking downtown.  Mr. Engen suggested that the hours of enforcement be expanded as well, so that businesses are encouraged to stay open later and keep spots available for customers.  Sgt. Mitchell explained the shifts of his existing and potential CSO staff.  The Commission discussed expanding the enforcement hours.  They agreed that changing the enforcement times required more consideration and should not be included in this motion.  Mr. Engen abstained from voting.  All other members present voted aye and the motion was declared carried.

Mr. Stein suggested that loading zones could be established but that permits be issued for vehicles that would be allowed to use them and Ms. Bailly agreed.  The Commission discussed where the money would go.  Mr. Anderson suggested that there be communication with bigger companies to stagger delivery and encourage use of alleys.

Lots of Parking, Chapter 2
Mr. Stein reviewed this chapter and some parking lot history with the Commission.  He distributed Fargo’s parking inventory as a part of that discussion about parking lot erosion.

Operator’s Report
Mr. Rogne reviewed the numbers for March, 2008.  Mr. Stein stated that he was working with the MeritCare annex on a pilot program to get 50 of their employees to use transit and open spaces downtown.  The Commission discussed the park-and-ride lots, transit, and downtown lots.  They discussed adding on to the Radisson ramp and the fact that it would cost $15-20,000 per space and that the ramp would have to be closed completely for a time.  There being no further business to come before the Commission, the meeting was adjourned.