October 4, 2007
Fargo Parking Commission
Agenda
1. Call to Order and Minutes (Attachment 1);
2. Discuss Comprehensive Bicycle Planning (Justin Kristan, Metro COG);
3. Update on Locker Marketing;
4. Discuss Time Zones at NDSU College of Business;
5. Distribute and Discuss Operator’s Report and Year to Date
Expenses and Revenues;
6. Discuss The High Cost of Free Parking ,Chapter19;
7. Discuss Name and Visit New Pocket Park at the NP Ave Lot; and
8. Consider Other Business.
• ND Legislative Committees
• Capital Projects Funding: (Bring your copy of the 2003
Downtown Parking Study)
• The Parking Incentive Package
Minutes
Members Present: Chairperson Commissioner Mike Williams, Margie Bailly, Karen Bergum, Kevin Swann, Rick Engen
Others Present: Bob Stein, Paula Aalgaard, Justin Kristan, Jim Gilmour, Rob Lynch, Dave Anderson
Commissioner Williams called the meeting to order. Ms. Bailly moved to approve the minutes of the September 6, 2007 meeting and Mr. Swann seconded the motion. All members present voted aye and the motion was declared carried.
Metropolitan Council of Government (MetroCOG) Bicycle Planning Discussion
Justin presented the Metropolitan Bicycle and Pedestrian Plan to the Commission. He reviewed the basics of the program and the role of MetroCOG. He explained the recommendations being made, including signage, growth planning, and safety. Mr. Stein pointed out that bicycle issues had defaulted to the Parking Commission and the Engineering Department. He stated that Justin was here to help the Commission make decisions consistent with the vision for bicycle and pedestrians in Fargo and the region. Commissioner Williams pointed out that the Transit Department was also involved in the discussion. The Commission discussed their role in bicycle and pedestrian traffic and the need for various agencies and departments to be involved in creating a bike/ped system that works. The Commission considered whether Fargo would need its own bicycle and pedestrian advisory committee and how promotion and education had been and could be handled. They talked about how North Dakota and Minnesota approach bicycling and which departments are involved.
Locker Marketing
Ms. Aalgaard stated that the students at NDSU had decided to take on the marketing study for bike lockers downtown. She stated that they would present their findings to the Commission in December. She noted that one locker had been rented for a year. Mr. Stein stated that NDSU may be interested in purchasing some lockers of their own.
Parking Time Zones at the NDSU College of Business
Mr. Stein noted that temporary signs had been installed in this area allowing four-hour parking but that management of that area would need to change as construction went forward. He stated that many of those blocks would likely go back to 90-minute parking and that more areas between 10th Street and University Drive North would be designated for four-hour parking. He stated that a more comprehensive proposal would be provided for that area. Mr. Engen asked if NDSU would have parking meters on their downtown campus and Mr. Lynch responded that he did not yet know.
Operator’s Report
Mr. Stein distributed the Operator’s Report and noted that the completion date for the Radisson Ramp had been moved back one week due to the need to replace the furring strips beneath the panels.
NP Avenue Pocket Park
Mr. Stein noted that the park had been finished very quickly and that it had turned out very nicely. He stated that the park has not been named. He asked that the Commission go by and look at it.
Downtown Parking Study
Ms. Bailly asked that the Commission revisit their parking inventory study. Mr. Stein noted that the study had last been done in 2003. Commissioner Williams agreed that it was time to renew the study. Mr. Stein noted that the size of the parking structure recommended in the previous study was about 350 spaces and that he agreed that the number was no longer valid. He stated that he had gotten a quote of $12,000 from Carl Walker to do the new study. Commissioner Williams asked that Mr. Stein work with Carl Walker on the details and assist the Commission in making a recommendation to the City Commission. Mr. Gilmour suggested that some of the data collection could be done locally to reduce costs. Mr. Stein stated that it would take 4-6 weeks to complete the study
ND Legislative Committees
Mr. Stein stated that he had discussed creating a presentation on parking meters with Ms. Aalgaard. He noted that The High Cost of Free Parking had excellent arguments to be incorporated. Mr. Gilmour suggested that the presentation be completed in time for a legislative committee meeting in January.
Ms. Bergum asked the Commission if they were going to repeat their promotion of downtown and parking during the holiday season. The Commission discussed what effective means of advertising might be. There being no further business to come before the Commission, the meeting was adjourned.