Parking Commission

August 2, 2007

Parking Commission

Agenda

1.  Call to Order and Minutes (Attachment 1);

2.   Report on progress parking control and citation management and automated license plate recognition systems;

3.   Review Radisson Ramp Repair and Maintenance Bids (Attachment 2);

4.   Consider Pedestrian Crossing on NP Ave (Sports/OB) and on 1st Ave S (YMCA) (Attachment 3);

5.   Establish Bike Locker Policies (Attachment 4);

6.   Distribute and Discuss Operator’s Report;

7.   Discuss The High Cost of Free Parking, Chapter 17; and

8.   Consider Other Business.

Minutes

Members Present: Chairperson Mike Williams, Kevin Swann, Rick Engen, Paula Algard, Margie Bailly

Others Present: Bob Stein, Jim Gilmour, John Rogne, Jeremy Gordon, Dave Anderson, Sergeant Mike Mitchell

Chairperson Commissioner Williams called the meeting to order.  Mr. Engen moved to approve the minutes of the May and June, 2007 meetings and Mr. Swann seconded the motion.  All members present voted aye and the motion was declared carried.

Parking Control & Citation Management Progress Report

Mr. Stein stated that he had supplied a summary of the proposals and the reason for the committee’s decision to the Commission.  He reviewed the history of the program.  He took the Commission through the report and explained some of its terms and comparisons.  He covered some of the differences between the proposals to clarify the costs for each program.  Mr. Stein and Mr. Engen reviewed the composition of the committee.  Mr. Stein explained that several committee members preferred the Duncan Solutions equipment and went through the reasons given.

Mr. Engen pointed out that the intent was to reduce the number of tickets written so the costs reported may be reduced by an effective program.  Mr. Stein pointed out that the T2 demonstrators had not been willing to discuss options like combining the city’s account with the state higher education account.  He stated that he was not sure how NDSU’s tickets would be processed and that the contract with them would need to be reevaluated.  The Commission discussed various savings and efficiencies possible with the Duncan Solutions package.

Commissioner Williams pointed out the high level of excused tickets from NDSU and Mr. Stein pointed out that they would still be charged the fee for processing the ticket.  The Commission discussed the goals of this system and the graduated parking fines in general.  Sgt. Mitchell stated that appeals would likely rise at the beginning of implementation but that he felt that the system would be a significant improvement.  Mr. Engen moved that the Commission recommend to the City Commission that Duncan Solutions be the provider for parking citation management for the City of Fargo.  Mr. Swann seconded the motion.  All members present voted aye and the motion was declared carried.

Commissioner Williams explained some changes in the way street cleaning and snow removal that were being considered and how that may affect parking in general and downtown in particular.

Radisson Ramp Repair and Maintenance Bids

Mr. Stein reviewed the bids and noted that the lowest bid was for $285,000 which was about 10% over the projection.  He stated that the City Commission had awarded the bid July 30, 2007.  He noted that there was a window of only 10 weeks for the work to be completed.  He stated that monthly renters would need to be moved to accommodate the construction.

Consideration of Pedestrian Crossing on NP Avenue and YMCA

Mr. Stein explained the proposed pedestrian crossings.  Mr. Gordon noted that the police department had been observing pedestrians traveling between the Old Broadway and the Sports Bar. He noted that the proposal was to remove some parking along Northern Pacific Avenue North to increase the visibility of pedestrians between 9PM and 2AM.  He stated that this was the least obtrusive option.  Sgt. Mitchell stated that the enforcement would be strict to force compliance.  He stated that the PD had contacted the owners and that the Old Broadway management had some reservations about losing the parking.  The Commission discussed options and daytime considerations.  They also addressed the question of liability and public safety.

Mr. Stein suggested that a crosswalk placed upstream in the block would slow traffic and that dealing with jaywalking as the problem may change the behavior.  Mr. Anderson agreed.  Commissioner Williams stated that the Traffic Tech Committee had similar concerns.  Justin stated that it was a question of context for drivers.  Mr. Gordon stated that a mid-block crossing would not benefit anyone but that changing the layout of the street would make a big difference. Mr. Engen asked if changing the streets to two-way traffic would slow traffic and Mr. Gordon responded that it would but that he would then not recommend a mid-block crossing.  Mr. Swann suggested that improving the lighting along that block at night may help.

Commissioner Williams reviewed the request from Traffic Engineering and the police department.  Sgt. Mitchell clarified the reasons for the request.  Mr. Anderson expressed a concern that opening up the street that much may encourage drivers and pedestrians to take chances.  Ms. Bailly stated that she was concerned that this would be perceived as encouraging the jaywalkers.  Justin agreed with Ms. Bailly that closing a lane for those hours and increased enforcement of speeding and jaywalking laws may help.  The Commission discussed options for lights, signage, lane closure, and signal timing.

Ms. Bailly asked about jaywalking enforcement and Sgt. Mitchell responded that there was none.  Ms. Bailly suggested changing the jaywalking behavior would be difficult.  Sgt. Mitchell stated that the enforcement would be incredibly difficult.  The Commission discussed options.  The Commission discussed signal timing and intermittent sign placement with Mr. Gordon and Mr. Anderson.  Mr. Gordon stated that he would be willing to alter the signal timing on Broadway and 1st and NP Avenues during the night.  Sgt. Mitchell and Mr. Gilmour stated that removing the parking spots as proposed could also help.  Mr. Stein stated that he did not support doing so and explained his reasons.  Commissioner Williams stated that the Commission would address this question incrementally and ask the business owners along that block for feedback throughout the process.

Bike Locker Policies

Mr. Stein stated that the 20 bike lockers had arrived in town that morning and reviewed where they would be placed.  He stated that the police department lockers would be rented to them.  He reviewed the proposed rates and key deposits.  He stated that Mr. Rogne would be willing to manage the lockers.  Mr. Engen asked if language in the agreement would prohibit storing other items in the lockers and Mr. Stein responded that it would.  Mr. Swann moved that the Commission accept Mr. Stein’s proposals as submitted and that Mr. Rogne’s company manage the rental of the lockers.  The Commission discussed increasing the public’s awareness of the availability of these lockers.  Mr. Stein and Commissioner Williams pointed out that there had been an article in the High Plains Reader and a front-page article in USA Today about bicycles and traffic areas.  Mr. Engen seconded the motion.  Justin asked about enforcement of storage rules.  Sgt. Mitchell responded that it would be a civil issue addressed in the lease agreement.  Mr. Gilmour stated that the City Attorney would be involved in setting up the language of the lease agreement.  Mr. Stein described the configuration of the lockers and how that would discourage personal storage.  All members present voted aye and the motion was declared carried.

Operator’s Report

Mr. Rogne stated that July had been a good month and that all areas were up.  He distributed a comparison of this year’s street fair parking versus the previous three years.

The High Cost of Free Parking

Mr. Stein briefly reviewed the chapter and explained why the considerations were important.  He pointed out that the section addressed parking in residential areas more than commercial districts. 

Other Business

Mr. Engen distributed a picture of motorcycles using the trial “bike only” parking in front of his business.  Mr. Stein stated that the on-street bicycle racks were being used regularly.  There being no further business to come before the Commission, the meeting was adjourned