November 6, 2009

Agenda
  1. Call to Order and Minutes;
  2. Report on US Bank Ramp
    a.   Demolition and Construction
    b.   New Name;
  3. Discuss System-Wide Parking Rates;
  4. Discuss Doyle Cab Cabstand Proposal;
  5. Operator's Report; and
  6. Other Issues
Minutes

Members Present: Chairperson Commissioner Williams, Rick Engen, Tracy Walvatne, Karen Stoker, Margie Bailly

Others Present: Bob Stein, Kim Citrowske, John Rogne, John Strand, Teresa Tilock, Helmut Schmidt, Jim Panovich, Jim Gilmour

Item 1: Call to Order and Minutes
Commissioner Williams called the meeting to order. Mr. Engen moved to approve the minutes of the October 2, 2009 meeting and Ms. Walvatne seconded the motion. Commissioner Williams suggested that the discussion of parking rates be moved to the end of the meeting and those present agreed.

Item 2: Report on US Bank Ramp
Mr. Stein noted that the demolition of the US Bank Ramp had been progressing well and that the subgrade preparation and paving would proceed as early as next week. He stated that the city would have about 39 parking spaces in the lot and Mr. Rogne noted that he had 20 people on a waiting list for those spots. Mr. Stein stated that he received bids on the skyway construction and that the construction deadline was February 1, 2010. He noted that US Bank was replacing their drive-through as well and that there were other issues that would keep the parking lot from being usable until then.

The Commission discussed the route of the new skyway portion and the reuse of materials from the demolished structures. They considered a name for the parking lot and agreed to call it the Third and Fifth lot for ease of identification. Ms. Tilock stated that the demolition had gone quickly and that the vibration in neighboring buildings had not been bad. The Commission and audience discussed contractor parking for the project.

Item 3: Discuss Doyle Cab Cabstand Proposal
Mr. Panovich stated that they would like to create a cabstand to get cabs off of the main thoroughfare
so that they could more safely pick up their fares at night. The Commission discussed possible locations with Mr. Panovich, particularly the NP Avenue Lot. Mr. Rogne pointed out that the lots were open after 6 PM. They discussed how having a designated place for taxis would help improve safety for drivers and pedestrians. Ms. Stoker noted that she had a cabstand spot in front of the Hotel Donaldson. The Commission and Mr. Panovich discussed whether a spot on the street or within the alley would work better than using the NP Avenue Lot. They agreed to experiment with temporary solutions and see what worked most smoothly.

Item 4: Operator’s Report
Mr. Rogne distributed and reviewed the monthly activity report for the various lots. He pointed out that the revenue for the Island Park ramp was from meters for the past three to four months. Mr. Stein noted that there had been a decrease of about 75 monthly parkers and 150 parking spaces. He suggested that a circulator bus would be the key to making the Island Park ramp be an integral part of the system. Mr. Gilmour stated that, by summer 2010, the transit department would have enough buses to use one for such a route and that the state transportation budget had not yet been finalized. Commissioner Williams suggested that discussion of such a route continue with the Engineering and Transit Departments. Mr. Engen asked if the revenue from some of those spots could be earmarked to pay for a circulator bus and Mr. Gilmour responded that that could be a part of the solution. The Commission further discussed funding sources. Mr. Rogne and Mr. Stein agreed that lighting replacement and improvement was progressing well.

Item 5: Discuss System-Wide Parking Rates
Mr. Stein reviewed the history of parking rates and noted that they had not been increased in 2008. He reviewed some of the challenges and demand for the various ramps and lots and the changes he proposed for rates in 2010. He pointed out that the hourly rates had not been changed for several years. The Commission discussed the proposed rates and reasoning behind them as well as setting student rates. They discussed having attendants in various lots. Mr. Williams stated that, if the old Greyhound bus depot were converted to Municipal Court, there would be a lot more demand for short-term parking in the GTC. Commissioner Williams invited input from the audience.

Mr. Gilmour pointed out that borrowing money to build future parking structures would depend on the rates that could be collected for existing parking. Mr. Stein drew the Commission’s attention to the parking rate survey he had distributed and reviewed comparable communities’ parking rates. He pointed out that Grand Forks assesses businesses for the parking fees directly and that Bismarck had a TIF district downtown. The Commission agreed that they would like to consider the proposed rates and revisit the topic at the December 4, 2009 meeting. Ms. Stoker moved to set the monthly rental rate for the Third and Fifth lot at $62.00 and Ms. Walvatne seconded the motion. Mr. Engen abstained from voting and all other members present voted aye. The motion was declared carried.

Item 6: Other Issues
Commissioner Williams noted that there would be a riverfront development presentation at the Fargo Theater on November 17, 2009 and that he would send more information to the Commission. Ms. Tilock stated that she had spoken with police and the Downtown Community Partnership and had been told that not notifying people that they could be towed on the parking signs displayed meant that a vehicle could be in place for three to five days before it could be towed. The Commission discussed existing signage and ordinances and asked Mr. Stein to clarify the question with the Street and Police Departments as well as the City Attorney.

Ms. Tilock gave her opinion on the results of the surveys regarding Saturday parking enforcement and the issues surrounding that enforcement. She stated that she was concerned that ticketing too aggressively led to people not returning to downtown. Mr. Strand reiterated his concern that more public input was not sought before this decision was made and expressed his understanding that public engagement was difficult to achieve. Mr. Strand asked that the Commission consider revisiting this issue after a reasonable amount of time to judge whether it had an effect.

Ms. Stoker pointed out that public input received was considered by the Commissioners as they made several on-going decisions. Mr. Strand suggested requiring downtown employees to use off-street parking. Ms. Bailly suggested that the evaluation be extended through the holiday season and across the influx of college students downtown to judge any effects. There being no further business to come before the Commission, the meeting was adjourned.