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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2022-12-15 DTPC MIN DOWNTOWN PARKING COMMISSION MEETING December 15, 2022 Chairman Glynn called the meeting to order at 8:30 a.m. Present: Chairman Glynn, Commissioners Kaufer, Lentz, Lepage, Rheinberger, Councilmember Junker (via Zoom?) Absent: Commissioner Bates Staff present: Community Development Director Gladhill APPROVAL OF MINUTES Possible approval of October 20, 2022 meeting minutes Community Development Director Gladhill said staff will try to determine who made motions and seconds where needed, and bring the minutes back for future approval. OPEN FORUM There were no public comments. UNFINISHED BUSINESS Consider Recommendation of 2023 Rates and Charges for Downtown Parking District Community Development Director Gladhill stated that the City Council concurred with the Downtown Parking Commission’s recommendation to continue to explore expanding the Paid Zone of the Downtown Parking District, with changes and improvements to the existing payment structure (Scenario B). The City Council directed staff to ask stakeholders their thoughts on potential changes, before the Council makes formal changes. Staff is scheduling workshops for January or February and will continue meetings with individual businesses and stakeholders on request. The goal is a May 1 implementation start. The City could approve certain changes as a pilot program. Per the staff report, nothing in the report should be interpreted as an official recommendation. Mr. Gladhill reviewed the highlights of Scenario B: 60% paid 40% free parking; free 30 minute pick-up spaces; waiting until 10 a.m. to start charging; focusing on improved downtown employee parking; possibly making off peak parking free M-Th, paid on weekends. Chairman Glynn noted that everything that is being discussed hinges on a vendor (Passport) to provide the solution. He would like more information about timelines, costs, implementation scenarios, and how to ensure the City will reach its revenue goal. He voiced concern about signing a contract with Passport for X number of years without the DTPC having an opportunity to interact with Passport and review the contract. Mr. Gladhill explained that Passport is a payment vendor. They have no up-front cost; they would take a percentage of the payment and that is how they make their money to implement the system. Additionally, the City would pay $8,000-10,000 for each kiosk. Staff presented the wide range of possible revenues at the October meeting, but does not yet know the full scope of the driver behavior Downtown Parking Commission Meeting December 15, 2022 Page 2 of 4 change that will result. Staff will have to monitor it closely for the first couple of years and make adjustments. Commissioner Lentz asked if there is a minimum target revenue that Passport expects, and Mr. Gladhill replied no. Passport receives a percentage of each transaction. Chairman Glynn remarked that currently, the City has one enforcement officer who generally works non-peak times. The DTPC previously talked about potentially increasing staffing and adding a parking ambassador or two to the system during peak hours. Mr. Gladhill responded that is something that the DTPC can recommend to the City Council. There will be a phone app for enforcement, which will save time. If the change is successful, there will be a new revenue stream to bring in ambassadors and officers during peak times. Commissioner Lepage noted that he heard Passport offers an automated system using emailed tickets versus hiring parking ambassadors to write tickets. He asked about the cost difference. Mr. Gladhill answered that Passport’s enforcement module is $15,000 annually which would be cheaper than hiring another enforcement person. There is a per transaction fee if the City has to send out reminder letters. The other module available is for permits, making it easier to issue residential and business parking permits. These enhancements could be added in the future. However there is a human element, and to change enforcement, the City still would need to hire more people. Chairman Glynn asked, at what point does the DTPC converse with Police Chief Mueller on the Commission’s thoughts and needs, and Mr. Gladhill replied he will bring Chief Mueller to the next meeting. Commissioner Rheinberger asked, how much does a half time enforcement officer cost, and Mr. Gladhill replied with salary, benefits, admin and overhead, the parking fund share of the cost would be $40,000-60,000. Chairman Glynn commented that part of the rollout is public outreach. He would like to help people understand the new system before starting to enforce parking charges. Mr. Gladhill said the City will focus more on being helpful first, and he knows that Police Chief Mueller agrees with helping people get used to the change. Commissioner Lepage asked if the City will move away from off peak and on peak rates, and Mr. Gladhill said he assumes that, from discussion at the last meeting. The suggestion was made by multiple businesses that during off peak time, parking M-Th would be free and charged only on weekends. Staff is trying to figure out whether Main Street should be all 30 minute drop-off/pick-up zones. Chairman Glynn said there should be a list of all the unique individual parking arrangements that the City has made with businesses i.e. Coop, Biercycle, the boats. Mr. Gladhill summarized for the next meeting he will invite the Police Chief to discuss future enforcement, and bring a map showing the City’s existing commitments and exceptions. Commissioner Lentz said she would like more information about the goals and expectations of the City for this revenue: is it to cover the minimum $450,000 and forecasting what is beyond that, or is there an expectation to generate enough revenue that there would be no need to increase property taxes? Mr. Gladhill replied the goal is to cover existing system costs and after that, to follow the DTPC’s recommendation whether the goal is to have more enforcement and/or to build a second parking ramp. He said he will bring the DTPC’s recommendations to the City Council in February or March and DTPC commissioners are welcome to attend. Downtown Parking Commission Meeting December 15, 2022 Page 3 of 3 Councilmember Junker said it is important to note: 1) With parking Scenario B, the City wants to get rid of the parking mitigation policy that went into place in 2006 which generates $30,000 annually from 20 businesses. 2) A number of cities, particularly Hudson, converted to 100% downtown paid parking year round which brings a lot of other issues. Stillwater would be going from 25% paid parking to 60% paid parking under this proposal, which still leaves 40% free parking in the downtown not including several side streets. There will still be 800-900 spaces downtown that are free. A revenue stream is needed to do many things that the City does not want to burden residents with, ie striping crosswalks and curbing, and downtown enhancements. Mr. Gladhill added that there would still be parking mitigation but it would apply only to new construction, which would go before the DTPC for a recommendation. A new business going into an existing space would not go before the DTPC for review. NEW BUSINESS There was no new business. FYI/STAFF UPDATES There were no staff updates. COMMISSION REQUESTS None. ADJOURNMENT Chairman Glynn adjourned the meeting at 9:56 a.m. ATTEST: ________________ Tim Gladhill, Community Development Director