June 12, 2008

Parking Commission Agenda

1.  Call to Order and Minutes (Attachment 1, distribute at meeting);
2.  Discuss Duncan Solutions Implementation (Attachment 2);
      A.  Ordinance changes, (Fees and Short Move)
      B.  Implementation Schedule
3.  Updates on Ongoing Issues;
      A.  IP Ramp Security
      B.  Meritcare
C.  Bikes on Broadway
D.  Radisson Ramp Addition
E.   Night Parking

Minutes

Members Present: Chairperson Commissioner Mike Williams, Rick Engen, Margie Bailly

Others Present: Bob Stein, John Rogne, Jim Gilmour, Rob Lynch

Chairman Commissioner Mike Williams called the meeting to order. Mr. Engen moved to approve the minutes of the April 18, 2008 meeting and Ms. Bailly seconded the motion. All members present voted aye and the motion was declared carried.

Duncan Solutions Citation Management Implementation
Duncan solutions: thanked Paula for her hard work. Mr. Stein reviewed the proposed and actual ordinance changes. He noted that the $5 increase in ticket prices were critical to paying for the system. He explained a booting system that could be remotely released that had integrated with Duncan Solutions and may be a possible solution for future consideration.

Ms. Aalgaard stated that the citation management system would be implemented by July 1, 2008. She noted that a database of stolen vehicles and the ability to take photos were included in the handheld units. Commissioner Williams agreed that the system seemed to be user-friendly and efficient. Mr. Stein described a system under which citations were created based on video and mailed to vehicle owners, speeding the process and reducing confrontation.

Ms. Aalgaard distributed a draft of a notice to be placed on vehicles explaining the short-move ordinance and the location of available parking lots downtown. Mr. Stein noted that this law was not well understood by the public and that this would be a substitute for the courtesy tickets which had been abandoned in the face of the graduated fine system falling by the wayside, however temporarily.

Operator’s Report
Mr. Rogne distributed copies of his report to the Commission and reviewed recent activity. He noted that seven bike lockers had been leased. Ms. Aalgaard reviewed the transit promotion through MeritCare and described the status of the program. The Commission discussed issues surrounding encouraging transit and bicycling. Mr. Gilmour noted that transit ridership had increased 29% over last year for the first five months of the year.

On-Going Issues
Mr. Stein noted that the IslandPark ramp security upgrades were nearly finished. He stated that limiting elevator access to cardholders was the next logical step. He reviewed the MeritCare M3tro program. He stated that the stencils applied to the sidewalks on Broadway would be replaced with better versions and then more strongly enforced. He noted that drivers were becoming more tolerant of bicycles on the street downtown.

Mr. Stein stated that he had discussed the design of the Radisson ramp with Craig Helenske. Mr. Gilmour stated that the next step would be to discuss possible funding sources for building the additional parking and reviewed some of those sources. Mr. Stein stated that a structural engineer would be required before any final decision could be made. He noted that he had found the national average price to be approximately $15,000 per space and that site constraints may raise costs to $20,000 per space. The Commission discussed funding and priorities for the Radisson and US Bank ramps. Mr. Stein noted that no construction could be undertaken before 2009. Commissioner Williams requested that the issues be brought before the Finance Committee.

Mr. Stein reviewed the problems posed by night parking and suggested that the request for enforcement would better come from the Street Department and downtown business owners. The Commission discussed other ways to discourage people from leaving trash and cigarette butts lying around downtown. Mr. Stein shared a plan for improving a corner of the 2^nd Avenue North lot with plantings, a bench, and a light. The Commission discussed further improvements to the lot that may not require a large investment.

Mr. Stein noted that he had received several requests for bicycle parking. He stated that he would like to see the city encourage the placement of bicycle racks without getting financially involved. The Commission discussed placement of the racks and other options for placing and lifting bicycle racks for access and cleaning.

Mr. Stein reviewed some topics from the International Parking Institute. He stated that he was interested in pursuing technologies for reducing the amount spent on lighting. The Commission discussed options, costs, and benefits. Commissioner Williams noted that conservation grant money could be obtained to help pay for some changes. Mr. Stein reviewed some other ideas that had been discussed at the Institute.

The Commission discussed integrating car and parking space counts through MetroCOG, Traffic Engineering, and the Planning Department. They considered the requirements for parking spaces in the current Land Development Code. Mr. Gilmour noted that budget development for 2009 was beginning and requested that the Commission consider fee increases for well-used lots both for budget reasons and to demonstrate the revenue should bonding be the solution to funding the Radisson ramp addition. Mr. Engen stated that parking ticket revenue should be directed to parking-related funding and Commissioner Williams stated that he would make that suggestion in the budget process.

The Commission discussed lighting concerns in the surface lots and the opportunity to educate the public at the Cruisers event on July 3, 2008. They reviewed other opportunities for sharing information at upcoming event. There being no further business to come before the Commission, the meeting was adjourned.