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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2022-10-20 DTPC MIN DOWNTOWN PARKING COMMISSION MEETING October 20, 2022 Vice Chair Rheinberger called the meeting to order at 8:30 a.m. Present: Chairman Glynn (arrived at 8:37 a.m.). Commissioners Bates, Kaufer, Lentz, Lepage, Rheinberger, Councilmember Junker Absent: None Staff present: Community Development Director Gladhill APPROVAL OF MINUTES Possible approval of June 16, 2022 and August 18, 2022 meeting minutes Motion by Lepage, seconded by Commissioner Bates, to approve the minutes of the June 16, 2022 meeting. All in favor. Motion by Commissioner Lepage, seconded by Commissioner Lentz, to approve the minutes of the August 18, 2022 meeting. All in favor. OPEN FORUM There were no public comments. UNFINISHED BUSINESS There was no unfinished business. NEW BUSINESS Consider Request to Memorialize Two Parking Stall Reservations in Lot 2 for Lift Bridge Tender; Request from Minnesota Department of Transportation Community Development Director Gladhill stated that as part of the lift bridge conversion project, the City agreed to designate two parking stalls for use by bridge tenders, but no formal agreement was made. At the request of the Minnesota Department of Transportation, staff recommends adoption of a resolution designating two spaces in Lot 2 as permit parking only, and issuing permits to the bridge tenders. Motion by Commissioner Rheinberger, seconded by Commissioner Lepage, to recommend that the City Council adopt a resolution, the Creation of Parking Permits for the Designation of Two Reserved Parking Spots for the Stillwater Lift Bridge Tender Parking in Parking Lot 2. All in favor. Consider Options for Contractor Parking for The Miller Apartments (formerly known as 200 Chestnut Apartments) Mr. Gladhill stated that the City has received complaints about contractors for The Miller Apartments (200 Chestnut) using Lot 15 and other parking areas. Staff recommends that contractors be required to park in the parking ramp. The license plate reader will help with enforcement. He noted that the project is already required to pay $780,000 into the Downtown Parking District for future expansion Downtown Parking Commission Meeting October 20, 2022 Page 2 of 3 needs through a Tax Increment Finance (TIF) note paid, so the developers may oppose any additional fee. Staff will discuss this with the City Attorney. Councilmember Junker said he believes the developer was originally required to pay $17,000 or $20,000 to reserve the parking spaces around the construction site for six months or a year. He believes this was separate from the parking mitigation package, but Mr. Gladhill said he believes it was all part of the TIF package. Chairman Glynn suggested having the contractors park in the Veterans Memorial Lot on Third Street, and Mr. Gladhill replied that staff would have to consult Cub corporate headquarters but can pursue the idea. The contractors could be offered both options: Lots 16, 17 or 18 (Veterans Memorial Lots) for free, or parking ramp at a reduced rate, possibly the off peak rate of $3 for 24 hours. Staff will still ask the contractors not to use Lot 14. Motion by Commissioner Rheinberger, seconded by Chair Glynn, to require that contractors for The Miller Apartments (200 Chestnut) be required to park in Lots 16, 17, 18 for free, or in the parking ramp for $3/day, and to enforce the 3 hour parking in Lot 14. All in favor. Consider Purchase of Replacement Credit Card Kiosks Mr. Gladhill explained that earlier this year, the City Council approved a proposal from Passport Services to introduce a mobile phone payment option for Lots 1 and 2 and replace the existing mobile phone app in the parking ramp. Staff perceives there is still a need for a credit card kiosk for users without a mobile phone. The existing machines in Lots 1 and 2 have exceeded their expected life and are in need of replacement. Replacement of these machines allows integration with the upcoming Passport Mobile Payment Application, based on License Plate Integration. Total cost for three machines is $26,700 plus annual software/maintenance agreements. There is an adequate fund balance in the parking district accounts. Staff recommends that the DTPC recommend that the City Council approve the proposal from Total Parking Solutions to replace the existing credit card kiosks in Lots 1 and 2 and add a credit card kiosk to the parking ramp. Motion by Commissioner Rheinberger, seconded by Commissioner Lepage, to recommend that the City Council approve the proposal from Total Parking Solutions to replace the existing credit card kiosks in Lots 1 and 2 and add a credit card kiosk to the parking ramp. All in favor. Consider Recommendation of 2023 Rates and Charges for Downtown Parking District Mr. Gladhill led discussion of possible enhancements to the Downtown Parking District, emphasizing that nothing in the staff report is an official recommendation. The intent of the report is to simply address multiple ideas suggested to the City over the past several years and seek direction from the Commission on desired policy direction. He reviewed: Scenario A, no changes, however, the City would not be able to fund recommended parking initiatives; Scenario B, Expanded Paid Zone/No Off Peak/15 Minute Payment Increments; and Scenario C, variations of Scenario B as directed by the DTPC. Staff feels the businesses would support changes. Councilmember Junker remarked if the whole downtown district is eventually paid parking, it should be a standard rate. For the record, he noted that the Mayor is trying to come up with a way to not charge downtown residents for parking. Mr. Junker feels this would be very challenging to quantify. Mr. Gladhill noted that the new system with license plate recognition will make record keeping and administration of special parking arrangements, i.e. JX Event Center, much easier. Chairman Glynn suggested having a workshop to discuss the subject in more detail. Mr. Gladhill acknowledged it will take some time to build business support for the changes, but at a minimum, he would like to know if Scenario B is heading in the right direction. Commissioners voiced their support. Downtown Parking Commission Meeting October 20, 2022 Page 3 of 3 Councilmember Junker commented that downtown has seen huge changes since the new bridge was opened and the City has not capitalized on the huge influx of visitors from a parking standpoint. He feels the new rates should be in place by May 1, 2023. Mr. Gladhill summarized that there is strong consensus on the Commission for Scenario B at a minimum, with support for making the paid parking zone larger, and the goal of having the scenario in place by May 1, 2023 if not sooner, and to direct staff to work with businesses for additional feedback. Motion by Commissioner Rheinberger, seconded by Commissioner Lepage, to recommend staff to continue working on the details of Scenario B. All in favor. FYI/STAFF UPDATES There were no staff updates. COMMISSION REQUESTS Chairman Glynn asked what is happening with the Zephyr north lot, as the Zephyr currently blocks it and uses it for staging ice. Mr. Gladhill noted that lot is not currently part of the downtown parking district. There was a past lease with Zephyr Theatre that was cancelled or expired. The City can ask them to remove their equipment from the property if there is not a lease or easement that comes forward. If they decide to do an ice maze, the City can require some reimbursement. ADJOURNMENT Chairman Glynn adjourned the meeting at 9:58 a.m. ATTEST: ________________ Tim Gladhill, Community Development Director