September 4, 2008
Agenda
1. Call to Order and Minutes
2. Recognize Kevin Swann for His Years of Service
3. Operator’s Report
4. Consider Communications from Resident Regarding Residential Parking Outside of the Downtown Residential Parking Permit Area
5. Review Rate Survey and Discuss Rate Changes
6. Discuss Chapter 2 of Lots of Parking: Land Use in a Car Culture
7. Other Business
Minutes
Members Present: Commissioner Mike Williams, Margie Bailly, Rick Engen
Others Present: Bob Stein, Jim Gilmour, Paula Aalgaard, Kevin Swann, Mike Larson, Sgt. Mike Mitchell, Dave Anderson, Rob Lynch
Commissioner Williams called the meeting to order. Mr. Engen moved to approve the minutes of the August meeting and Ms. Bailly seconded the motion. All members present voted aye and the motion was declared carried.
Recognition of Kevin Swann
Commissioner Williams thanked Mr. Swann for his service to the Parking Commission and to the city. The Commission presented Mr. Swann with a plaque.
Residential Parking Outside of the Downtown Residential Parking Permit Area
Mr. Stein introduced Mike Larson and explained that Mr. Larson worked nights and the new four-hour zones in front of his home meant that he could not park in front of his house during the day without interrupting his sleep to move his vehicle. Mr. Gilmour stated that the newly-built apartment building across the street was zoned Downtown Mixed Use which meant that there was no off-street parking requirement. Mr. Larson stated that he was the only resident of the street that had a space off of the alley behind their homes. Mr. Stein stated that at least one space per unit had been provided for the twenty units in the building. He noted that the Residential Parking Permit program was working well downtown. Mr. Larson explained that the parking behind his house were where his wife and daughter parked. He stated that he did not believe that students would wish to park three blocks away from the new NDSU building and cross busy streets.
Commissioner Williams suggested that the parking permit program could be expanded. Mr. Stein stated that it was a consideration, and that more residential development in the area could lead to reevaluating the situation. He asked if removing the four-hour signs would solve Mr. Larson’s problem and Mr. Larson responded that it would. The Commission agreed that the signs would be removed. Mr. Engen stated that the expansion of the core downtown area required consideration of expanding the limited programs now in place. The Commission reviewed the existing permit program and possible changes to accommodate coming residential changes. They discussed the Downtown Neighborhood Association. Mr. Anderson stated that the association would like to be involved in decided on changes to parking restrictions and requirements. The Commission discussed using building permits to target residents for reminders that the on-street parking is publicly available.
Review Rate Survey and Adjustments
Mr. Stein reviewed the survey with the Commission. He noted that the fees had not been weighted by the number of spaces available. He stated that Fargo was just below the regional average of $53 per month. He noted that the global parking survey showed that Winnipeg averaged well over $100 per month for parking and Minneapolis-St. Paul was listed at $183 per month. He distributed the parking rate history and noted that he had entered suggestions for 2009. He stated that he suggested raising the surface lot fees by $2 per month, the Radisson ramp by $3 per month, and no changing the rest of the fees. The Commission discussed the proposed changes. Mr. Stein noted that many new spaces had been rented in August because of upcoming development on the old Lark lot. The Commission discussed the parking system in Grand Forks and Bismarck and how they keep their rates low. Mr. Engen suggested that no changes be made until the increased parking ticket fines had a chance to change people’s behavior and Ms. Bailly agreed. Commissioner Williams suggested that it would not take long to start seeing that change. The Commission discussed the condition of the 2nd Avenue North lot. They reviewed the ownership of the lot to the north of the city’s lot there.
Mr. Gilmour stated that the rates were intended to influence people to park in the underutilized lots. Commissioner Williams reminded the Commission of the Request for Proposals (RFP) that had been requested at the August, 2008 meeting. Ms. Bailly noted that she received frequent questions about the availability of parking, upcoming development, and an increased number of events downtown. Commissioner Williams suggested that shuttles from the Island Park ramp could help to convince people to drive further and Mr. Stein pointed out that the existing bus system also worked well for day-long events but that for shorter events they were not realistic. The Commission discussed shuttles and possible funding. Mr. Gilmour stated that the rough cost to run a bus was $50 an hour and Commissioner Williams suggested that the cost of running a shuttle could be built into the cost of an event. The Commission discussed security in the skyway and other ways to help people get from one area to another. They agreed to wait until at least after the beginning of 2009 to see what changes in behavior occurred.
Sgt. Mitchell stated that he did not have an evaluation of the new parking ticket program yet. He noted that about 75% of the appeals were related to the short move ordinance. He confirmed that the Community Service Officers (CSOs) were distributing the brochures explaining the ordinance. Mr. Stein showed the Commission a proposed sign to be placed below the time limit signs specifying that the short move ordinance would be enforced. The Commission discussed the wording on the flyer and any changes that may be necessary. Mr. Stein stated that there had not been more discussion about graduated parking fines. Sgt. Mitchell stated that the CSOs felt that the new ticketing system made them more efficient but that there had not been an increase in the volume of tickets. Mr. Stein stated that and RFP had been issued for personnel to enforce the parking zones around the NDSU Downtown campus. Sgt. Mitchell stated that the Downtown Resource Officers were speaking with people about riding bicycles on the sidewalk and enforcing the ordinance.
There being no further business to come before the Commission, the meeting was adjourned.