August 7, 2009

Agenda
  1. Call to Order and Minutes;
  2. Discuss DRP3 Program;
  3. Enforcement Update;
  4. Review US Bank Condition Report;
  5. Operator's Report;
  6. Discussion of Lots of Parking: Land Use in a Car Culture, Conclusion; and
  7. Other Issues.
Minutes

The Parking Commissioners present or absent were as follows:
Present: Mike Williams, Margie Bailly, Rick Engen and Tracy Walvatne
Absent: Karen Stoker
Others Present: Bob Stein, Jim Gilmour, Pat Zavoral, Dave Anderson, John Rogne, Rob Lynch, Helmut Schmidt and Kim Citrowske.

Item 1. Call to Order and Minutes
Chairperson Commissioner Williams called the meeting to order. Mr. Engen moved to approve the minutes of the June 5, 2009 meeting. Second by Ms. Walvatne. All members present voted aye and the motion was declared carried.

Item 2. Discuss DRP3 Program
Mr. Stein distributed and described the Downtown Residential Parking Permit Program (DRP3). This program provides another parking option for Downtown residents. Currently there are approximately 15 program participants. Staff recommends placing a cap on the number of DRP3 permits per zone, so that the Downtown does get over saturated with DRP3 users. The quota can always be re-evaluated, if the program should become more popular. Mr. Engen moved to set the limit to 25 permits per zone. Second by Ms. Walvatne. All members present voted aye and the motion was declared carried.

Item 3. Enforcement Update
Mr. Stein stated that last weekend was the first time the Community Service Officers (CSOs) enforced time zones on Saturday. Approximately 40 warning tickets were distributed. On Saturday August 8, CSOs will again distribute the warning tickets and brochures to inform Downtown parkers of the new ordinance. Commissioner Williams directed staff to explore the option of a visitor warning ticket to first time offenders who have not received a parking violation in the past.

Item 4. Review US Bank Condition Report
Mr. Stein stated that Heyer Engineering completed their annual inspection of the US Bank Ramp and determined that it was structurally unsafe to use anymore. A structural engineer who specializes in concrete will be in Fargo on Monday to evaluate the structure including the functionality of the skyway and US Bank drive-thru. Parkers were moved to the Civic Center lot. Mr. Rogne will work to find the best long-term locations for small businesses and individuals who were parking in the US Bank Ramp.
Mr. Stein will be meeting with MeritCare to work out a parking solution for them.

Mr. Zavoral stated that there have been six or seven developers who have expressed interest in developing parts or all of the US Bank block. News of the ramp closure has brought more development interest at this location.

Item 5. Operator’s Report
Mr. Rogne presented the Operator’s Report for July 2009. Streetfair went well this year with many visitors parking in the Island Park Ramp and Main Avenue Lot. The DCP successfully relocated many vendors to park in the snow dump area which provided more customer parking.

Item 6. Lots of Parking: Land Use in a Car Culture, Conclusion
Mr. Stein provided an overview of this book, including the conclusion.

Item 7. Other Issues
Educational pieces should continue, including POP information, DRP3 and possibly a new parking video to be aired on public access. Mr. Williams reminded the Parking Commissioners, that there is a Complete Streets Seminar on August 17at the Courtyard by Marriott in Moorhead. Mr. Stein stated that staff has been researching the Short Move Ordinance. Many cities have similar ordinances, some are called “reparking” or “4-hr rule”, but have a similar principle in which cars cannot be parked in the same block face for more than the posted time or within a 4-hour or all day time period. Fargo has an all-day rule. This topic will be added to next meeting’s agenda. The meeting adjourned at 8:55 a.m.