November 1, 2007
Parking Commission
Agenda
1. Call to Order and Minutes (Attachment 1);
2. Discuss Downtown Time Zone Designations;
3. Update on Locker Marketing;
4. Distribute and Discuss Operator’s Report and Year to Date Expenses and Revenues;
5. Discuss The High Cost of Free Parking, Chapters 20 through 22;
6. Discuss Name and Visit New Pocket Park at the NP Ave Lot; and
7. Consider Other Business.
a. ND Legislative Committees
b. The Parking Incentive Package
Minutes
Members Present: Chairperson Commissioner Mike Williams, Rick Engen, Kevin Swann, Margie Bailly
Others Present: Bob Stein, Jim Gilmour, Paula Aalgaard, John Rogne, Rob Lynch, Kathy Spielman, John Atkins
Commissioner Williams called the meeting to order. Mr. Engen moved to approve the minutes and Mr. Swann seconded the motion. All members present voted aye and the motion was declared carried.
Downtown Parking Time Designations
Mr. Stein distributed a map of the parking areas and explained the history of the current designations. He reviewed the various time zones. He stated that there had been a few changes to the parking zones when NDSU opened their first downtown building. He explained that the Engineering Department would be ordering new signs for the downtown area and the Mr. Atkins needed to know what to order. Mr. Atkins distributed a map of the proposed changes. The Committee discussed time zones and enforcement with Ms. Spielman.
Mr. Gilmour asked about the businesses west of 10th Street and Mr. Stein responded that many of them had their own off-street parking. He noted that there were a few streets along that corridor that were marked for no parking. He suggested that 2nd Avenue would be wide enough for parking on at least one side. Mr. Stein suggested that NDSU consider for what they wanted that parking used. Mr. Lynch asked why the MetroCOG study had suggested a 2-hour zone and Commissioner Williams responded that the study had been done before NDSU’s decision to move to the Pioneer Building. Commissioner Williams asked how many students were expected and Mr. Lynch responded that it would be at least 700 in the first round. Ms. Spielman suggested that all parking west of the post office be changed to 2-hour parking. The Commission discussed different areas where off-street parking could be rented.
The Commission discussed how the different time zones affected parking behavior. Mr. Lynch noted that there would be a faculty and staff lot as well as a small visitor lot. Mr. Engen pointed out that the parking adjacent to the other downtown NDSU building was 2-hour parking and suggested that it be kept consistent. The Commission discussed how 2-hour parking would affect bus ridership. Mr. Engen moved that the entire downtown area be changed to 90-minute parking for consistency, ease of enforcement, and to encourage the use of mass transit. Mr. Stein stated that a motion was not necessary but that it was good to have an idea of the Commission’s philosophy for designating parking areas. Ms. Spielman asked that both sides of a block be the same for enforcement purposes. The Commission discussed changing everything north of 1st Avenue South and east of 10th Street to 90-minute parking. They considered how many students parked in the NP Avenue lot on a daily basis and the mix of students that would be attending classes in the new buildings. Mr. Gilmour pointed out that the transit capacity would be doubled between the main campus and downtown. The Commission discussed the purpose of the 4-hour zones.
Mr. Stein asked if there were opportunities for less restrictive parking between 10th Street and University Drive North. Mr. Atkins responded that there were. The Commission discussed snow removal and overnight parking downtown. Mr. Stein stated that he would talk to the individual business and Mr. Lynch and return to the Commission with an updated map.
Locker Marketing Update
Ms. Aalgaard stated that the NDSU students were preparing to do a survey of potential locker users. Commissioner Williams suggested that Mr. Stein talk to Island Park Cycles and Scheels about marketing the lockers in their stores. The Commission discussed bicycling on Broadway. Ms. Bailly stated that she had been distributing brochures at other places downtown and the Commission discussed ways to reward people who followed the new rules. Mr. Engen asked about the areas around the NDSU buildings and Mr. Lynch stated that it had not been discussed.
Operator’s Report
Mr. Rogne reviewed the October report. He noted that the NP Avenue lot was at rental capacity. He pointed out that Richtman’s Printing had moved and cancelled their 23 spots in the Civic lot but that there had been more renters gained in the other lots.
Governmental Affairs and Parking Meters
Commissioner Williams stated that he had spoken to people in the legislature about bringing up options for parking meters but that the reception had been lukewarm. Mr. Stein stated that he did not have a specific plan for parking meter placement but that he believed that the meters needed to be presented as a part of the overall parking management plan. Mr. Gilmour described the committee’s composition. He stated that he and Commissioner Williams had been talking to the Department of Transportation (DOT) about how mass transit reduces the need for expanding road infrastructure. Commissioner Williams agreed and explained how parking meters fit into the discussion. Mr. Stein stated that they key would be convincing the legislature that parking was a local issue rather than something that the state should regulate.
The High Cost of Free Parking, Wrap-Up Discussion
Mr. Stein thanked the Commission for the time spent reading and discussing this book. He stated that he was compiling a presentation of the most relevant and convincing ideas in the book, such as unbundled parking. Mr. Engen suggested that the Planning Department consider these points as well to spread the concept throughout town. Mr. Gilmour explained that this discussion was occurring. He stated that the larger retailers had their own parking requirements and that there was no maximum in the existing code.
Parking Enforcement System
Mr. Stein stated that contracts for the two systems were being written but that caution was making the process to take longer than anticipated. He stated that the contract would not be on the agenda until the January, 2008 meeting. He noted that the graduated fine system would be implemented at the same time as the new technology.
There being no further business to come before the Board, the meeting was adjourned.