January 3, 2008
Parking Commission
Agenda
1. Call to Order and Minutes (Attachment 1);
2. Distribute and Discuss Operator’s Report and Year to Date
Expenses and Revenues;
3. Downtown Parking Study Update;
4. Review Outline of Parking Meter Presentation;
5. Consider Other Business.
Minutes
Members Present: Chairperson Commissioner Mike Williams, Rick Engen, Kevin Swann, Margie Bailly
Others Present: Bob Stein, Rob from NDSU, John Rogne, Dave Anderson, Jim Gilmour, Paula Aalgaard
Chairperson Commissioner Williams called the meeting to order. Mr. Engen moved to approve the minutes of the November 1, 2007 meeting and Ms. Bailly seconded the motion. All members present voted aye and the motion was declared carried.
Operator’s Report
Mr. Rogne distributed the report and reviewed the changes between November and December, 2007. Commissioner Williams asked if the Radisson ramp were finished and Mr. Stein responded that there were a few items left to be finished but that they would wait until spring. Mr. Gilmour stated that the GTC surface lot would be done in the summer of 2008, as the work was temperature sensitive. Mr. Rogne stated that the number of renters at the US Bank ramp was steady and Mr. Stein noted that there an update on the structural status of that ramp was coming.
Mr. Stein stated that the 2nd Street north lot was the lot most in need of repairs, outside of the US Bank ramp. He noted that the Commission may not have the funds to do repairs and upgrades in 2008. He stated that the condition of the city’s lots had been greatly improved over the past eight years.
Parking Study Update
Mr. Stein stated that the data had been collected and that the general numbers have shown that there had been a modest increase in on-street parking since the 2003 study, most noticeably on the north end of Broadway. He noted that there had been a number of changes and about 130 spaces added in that area. He explained what areas had been studied. The Commission discussed the parking lot at the new bicycle shop with Mr. Anderson. Mr. Stein noted that the parking lot next to the Fargo Theatre had been lost. He explained how and when the data had been collected.
Commissioner Williams asked how the new snow removal system was working. Mr. Anderson responded that it was working well on Broadway but not on the side streets, because of the volume of snow this winter. He stated that the sidewalks had been much less icy. Commissioner Williams stated that the system may be expanded to the rest of the city. Ms. Bailly noted that the snow ended up piled in the handicapped parking spaces and blocking the crosswalks for a day or two. The Commission discussed how snow removal issues and pedestrian safety could be addressed. Mr. Engen suggested placing a stop sign at one crosswalk and Commissioner Williams agreed.
The Commission discussed the Broadway design and maintenance needs with Mr. Anderson. They agreed and an audit should be performed in the spring of 2008. Mr. Stein asked the Commission to consider what could be done with the old flower pot hangers that had been replaced.
Outline of Parking Meter Presentation
Mr. Stein distributed the first draft of the presentation, based in part on The High Cost of Free Parking, and noted that it was not yet organized or edited. The Commission reviewed the included slides and the concepts being presented. Mr. Stein noted that he had used both national and regional information. He pointed out that there were no dedicated funds to maintain the downtown design. He explained how parking regulation affected economic development and Mr. Anderson agreed. Mr. Engen suggested that input be sought regarding NDSU’s experience with parking meters.
The Commission discussed options and strategies and Ms. Bailly stated that she believed this was an issue of municipal rights. Commissioner Williams stated that a meeting of the Intergovernmental Committee would take place in Fargo on January 23, 2008. Mr. Gilmour stated that there was a mood in the legislature to manage city operations rather than to grant rights. Mr. Anderson agreed that it would be critical to think about and approach this debate strategically. The Commission discussed forming partnerships with other municipalities to make the approach to the legislature stronger. They considered to where the funds from parking meters would go and how to accomplish that. Mr. Engen pointed out that specifying that revenues be directly applied to the infrastructure in the district within which the meters were placed would make the business and property owners in the area more likely to support changing the law. The Commission discussed how to start the conversation about parking management and to direct it toward changing the law.
There being no further business to come before the Commission, the meeting was adjourned.