September 4, 2009

Agenda
  1. Call to Order and Minutes;
  2. Update on US Bank Ramp;
  3. Update on Ground Transportation Center (GTC) Garage Improvements;
  4. Update on NDSU Downtown Transit and Parking;
  5. Discuss Short Move Ordinance;
  6. Operator's Report; and
  7. Other Issues.
Minutes

The Parking Commissioners present or absent were as follows:
Present: Mike Williams, Karen Stoker and Rick Engen
Absent: Margie Bailly and Tracy Walvatne
Others Present: Bob Stein, Jim Gilmour, Jeremy Gordon, Julia Bommelman, John Rogne, Rob Lynch, Joe Anderson, Todd Wahl, Randy Erickson, Helmut Schmidt and Kim Citrowske.

Item 1. Call to Order and Minutes
Chairperson Commissioner Williams called the meeting to order. Mr. Engen moved to approve the minutes of the August 7, 2009 meeting. Second by Ms. Stoker. All members present voted aye and the motion was declared carried.

Item 2. Update on US Bank Ramp
Mr. Stein stated that on September 24 the City Commission authorized staff to contract with Heyer Engeineering to compose demolition plans for the US Bank Ramp. The directive also included an emergency action which allows the City to forgo the bidding process and seek quotes for the demolition project which would result in an asphalt parking lot on the portion of land the City owns. It is anticipated that the quotes will be received by September 17 and the project would be brought back in front of the City Commission at the September 21, 2009 meeting. Demolition should be complete this fall.

Item 3. Update on GTC Garage Improvements
Mr. Stein stated that the GTC Garage will be washed and painted beginning September 8. All cars will be relocated to the 3rd and 4th Street lots for the duration of the upgrades. During the painting project, the striping will be updated to eliminate narrow spaces. Once the City receives the EECBG grant, lighting upgrades will also be implemented.

Item 4. Update on NDSU Downtown Transit and Parking
Ms. Bommelman stated that during the first week of school at NDSU, transit gave 31,194 rides. NDSU provided free parking in the FargoDome lot which has 1,482 permits out compared to 300 last year. This increase proves that transit has proven itself a convenient means for transportation to and around NDSU campus and to NDSU Downtown. NDSU facilities also have display monitors with GPS to allow students to see and anticipate the bus. Ridership is anticipated to increase as the weather gets
colder.

Mr. Williams stated that one full bus is equivalent to four blocks of parked cars. As an alternative, students have also been using the back-in diagonal parking on NP Avenue between 10th Street and University Drive North. Mr. Lynch requested the three on-street parking spaces on 2nd Avenue between 10th Street North and the bus pull out that are signed for 90-minute parking be removed. Mr. Engen moved to designate a “No Parking” area on the north side 2nd Avenue North between 10th Street and Barry Hall bus pull out. Second by Ms. Stoker. All members present voted aye and the motion was declared carried.

Item 5. Discuss Short Move Ordinance
Mr. Stein stated that the short move ordinance was brought up at the August 7 Parking Commission meeting. It is anticipated that it is the most appealed violation the police department sees. A sample of one community’s sign was distributed and Mr. Williams preferred their term “Reparking” in lieu of short move, stating it is more descriptive for Downtown visitors. Staff was directed to review the ordinance and draft a sign to clarify the current short move and coordinate efforts with NDSU, since they also enforce this violation on campus.

Item 6. Operator’s Report
Mr. Rogne stated all of the US Bank Ramp parkers have been relocated. With the improvements at the GTC Garage, the only parking facilities with available spaces are the Civic lot and the Island Park Ramp. 15 students have purchased parking permits for the Island Park Ramp.

Item 7. Other Issues
There will be an public open house on Tuesday, September 29 regarding the 1st Avenue North/NP Avenue Corridor Study.

The meeting adjourned at 8:50 a.m.