Parking Commission

January 10, 2007

The rescheduled meeting of the Fargo Parking Commission has been scheduled for 7:45 a.m. on Wednesday, January 10, 2007 in the Engineering Conference Room at City Hall. Please refer to the Agenda below for an outline of the issues to be discussed.  If you have other agenda items, please notify Bob Stein at rstein@cityoffargo.com or present them at the meeting.

Agenda

1.      Call to Order and Approval of Minutes of the November 2, 2006 Meeting (Attachment 1);
2.      Discuss The High Cost of Free Parking Chapter 9;
3.      Discuss Hourly and Special Event Parking Rates (Attachment 2);
4.      Review Radisson Ramp Condition Report (Attachment 3);
5.      Discuss Library Construction Impacts (Attachment 4);
6.      Paint the Pavement;
7.      Discuss 2007 Goals;
8.      Distribute and Discuss Operator’s Report; and
9.      Consider Other Business.

Minutes

Members Present: Vice-Chairperson Kevin Swann, Commissioner Mike Williams, Karen Bergum, Margie Bailly

Others Present: Bob Stein, Jim Gilmour, Bob Getz, John Rogne, Dave Anderson, Mike Mitchell

Vice-Chairperson Swann called the meeting to order.  Mr. Williams moved to approve the minutes of the November 2, 2006 meeting and Ms. Bergum seconded the motion.  All members present voted aye and the motion was declared carried.

Discussion of Hourly and Daily Parking Rates

Mr. Stein outlined the current rates for the various lots.  Mr. Getz clarified the rules which applied to the CivicCenter lot.  Mr. Stein discussed the rates which applied to vendors parking their trucks and trailers in the lot during events and stated that he would get copies of the new brochure to Mr. Getz.  Mr. Gilmour asked if Mr. Getz felt that raising the event rate for the CivicCenter lot would affect operations and Mr. Getz responded that he did not.  He stated that his concern was the perceived lack of availability.  Mr. Rogne stated that complaints about parking rates were rare.  The Commission discussed standardizing event and daily parking rates.  Ms. Bergum moved to increase the all-day rate for the CivicCenter lot and the Radisson ramp to $3 per day.  Ms. Bailly seconded the motion.  All members present voted aye and the motion was declared carried.  Mr. Williams suggested promoting the skyway connection between the Radisson ramp and the CivicCenter.  Ms. Bergum suggested adding information about the skyway to the parking brochure as well.  Mr. Getz and Mr. Williams suggested promoting the US Bank ramp as well, during the library construction project.  Mr. Stein responded that he was concerned about the operations at that ramp because of pending repairs. 

Library Construction Impact

Mr. Swann asked about the buyout rate for the CivicCenter lot during library construction.  Mr. Stein responded that there would be about 100 spaces lost and that there were about 40 City vehicles which normally parked in the lot and for which he was attempting to find a new place.  He noted that this would result in a net loss of about 50 spaces.  Mr. Getz suggested that a decrease in the rate during construction would be a good way for the Commission to be proactive.  Mr. Williams suggested that a rebate would be a better option.  Mr. Getz stated that the rebate could be noted on their bill from the CivicCenter.  Mr. Williams stated that he was concerned about changing the rates through the Convention and Visitor’s Bureau (CVB).  Mr. Swann agreed with Mr. Getz that this was not a rate change but a discount for the inconvenience during construction of the library.

Parking Meter Legislation

Mr. Stein provided the members with a copy of some of the articles which had appeared about this issue in the Fargo Forum in 1999.  Mr. Stein stated that he was not sure of the language in the law prohibiting parking meters.  Mr. Williams suggested that this would be best addressed by the League of Cities and perhaps entered as a study resolution.  Mr. Swann stated that he believed that this was a tool that cities should have and should not be regulated by the State.  Mr. Williams noted that the deadline for introducing legislation was quite near.  Mr. Anderson noted that this was a discussion about tools and not a determination that parking meters were definitely on their way.  Ms. Bergum and Mr. Stein agreed that it was important to have the option.  Mr. Williams noted that left turn signals were being placed on two intersections downtown.  He also stated that the estimate for converting 1st Avenue and NP Avenue North from one-way to two-way streets had come down and that it was one of his goals for this year.   Ms. Bergum moved that the Commission move forward with legislation through the League of Cities to remove the ban on parking meters.  Ms. Bailly seconded the motion.  All members present voted aye and the motion was declared carried.

Ms. Bailly moved that the Commission authorize Mr. Stein to offer a discount on the daily buy-out rate for the CivicCenter lot during the library construction project.  Ms. Bergum seconded the motion.  All members present voted aye and the motion was declared carried.  The Commission discussed the rationale behind setting the daily parking maximums.

Radisson Ramp Condition Report

Mr. Stein provided copies of the study to the Commission.  He stated that the necessary maintenance could be done for about $277,000.  He suggested that the cost be programmed into the 2008 capital improvement budget.  Mr. Swann clarified that this was not a bid but an estimate.  The Commission discussed timing on the work.  Mr. Stein noted that these were not things that needed to be done at the same time.  He stated that the metal panels on the exterior needed attention right away.  Mr. Swann noted that the Commission would need to take bids for the work when they reached that point.  Mr. Stein stated that he would contact the owners of the Great Northern lot to ask about arrangements for displacing parkers there.  Ms. Bergum clarified that this maintenance would be a phased project.  Mr. Swann noted that the lighting would be upgraded and Mr. Stein stated that signage pointing to the skyway could be included.

Paint the Pavement

Mr. Stein stated that there were two projects planned through the Health Department to paint crosswalks for a walking event in town.  He stated that the intersection of 1st Avenue South and Broadway suggested itself because it was visible from above in all directions.  He stated that there was money available for the first two projects but was not sure where the money was coming from or if there would be enough to fund a third.  Mr. Stein suggested being involved with the committee regarding future locations and what would be painted and Ms. Bergum volunteered to meet with them as needed.  Mr. Gilmour suggested an update at next month’s meeting so that staff could get more information.

Discussion of 2007 Goals

Mr. Stein stated that there had traditionally been an emphasis for the Commission’s activities over the year and that many of the recent issues were going to occur this year including the graduated fine system, the license plate recognition equipment, and the new vehicles for the Community Services Officers (CSOs).  Mr. Swann suggested that the parking meter law would be a good focus and Ms. Bergum agreed.  The Commission discussed the changes that the new equipment could effect.  They discussed updating the demographics for parking so that they could plan for needs and funding.  Mr. Stein noted that the lot at the corner of 2nd Avenue and Roberts Street was in need of repairs.  Mr. Swann suggested that, after the Commission finished reviewing “The High Cost of Free Parking” they could have a meeting to discuss using marketing to do more education of the community.  Ms. Bailly suggested looking at the chronology of downtown construction and development in relation to current parking-related plans and Ms. Bergum and Mr. Swann agreed.  They discussed how forecasting and strategic planning could help with both development recruitment and securing funding for necessary projects.  The Commission discussed downtown development and the Renaissance Zone.

Operator’s Report

Mr. Rogne distributed copies of the report to the Commission and reviewed the last two months.  He noted that there were two weekends in a row already this year with large events.  Mr. Stein noted that the rate change would be in effect for the event the coming weekend.  The Commission discussed the monthly rental numbers and the possibility of adding another level to the Radisson ramp.  Ms. Bergum asked if the percentage of occupancy and the rate could be added to this report.  The Commission discussed increasing awareness of parking.  There being no further business to come before the Commission, the meeting was adjourned.