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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2023-10-19 DTPC Packet DOWNTOWN PARKING COMMISSION October 19, 2023 REGULAR MEETING 8:30 A.M. I. CALL TO ORDER II. ROLL CALL III. APPROVAL OF MINUTES 1. Possible approval of the August 17, 2023 meeting minutes IV. OPEN FORUM - The Open Forum is a portion of the Commission meeting to address subjects which are not a part of the meeting agenda. The Chairperson may reply at the time of the statement or may give direction to staff regarding investigation of the concerns expressed. Out of respect for others in attendance, please limit your comments to 5 minutes or less. V. CONSENT AGENDA – These items are considered routine and will be enacted by one motion with no discussion. Anyone may request an item to be removed from the consent agenda and considered separately. VI. UNFINISHED BUSINESS VII. NEW BUSINESS VIII. FYI – STAFF UPDATES 2.Update and Discussion on Downtown Parking Changes Implementation – NO PACKET MATERIALS IX. ADJOURNMENT DOWNTOWN PARKING COMMISSION MEETING August 17, 2023 Chairman Glynn called the meeting to order at 8:30 a.m. Present: Chairman Glynn, Commissioners Bates, Kaufer, Lentz, Lepage, Councilmember Junker Absent: Commissioner Rheinberger Staff present: Community Development Director Gladhill, Police Chief Mueller APPROVAL OF MINUTES Possible approval of June 15, 2023 meeting minutes Motion by Commissioner Lentz, seconded by Commissioner Kaufer, to approve the June 15, 2023 meeting minutes. All in favor. OPEN FORUM There were no public comments. CONSENT AGENDA There were no items on the Consent Agenda. UNFINISHED BUSINESS There was no unfinished business. NEW BUSINESS Enforcement Plan and Methodology starting September 8 Police Chief Mueller explained that officers are ready to begin enforcing the new system. Currently there is one enforcement officer who has worked M-F for the past 20 years. He is very knowledgeable about weekday parking, but evening and weekend enforcement are needed. Chief Mueller will come back in the future with more data and discuss any necessary tweaks. He acknowledged that the City Council and staff will hear from citizens and business owners when the new system is implemented. Chairman Glynn said studies have shown that behavior modification is needed and there is confusion about parking rules. He is concerned whether there be enforcement during the times when it is most needed. Police Chief Mueller replied that there are a lot of legacy thought processes in Stillwater that need to be re-examined and data-driven i.e. how many people really come for events. Staff is working on ways to provide parking enforcement on evenings and weekends. Councilmember Junker noted that the Commission has been working for almost four years to implement downtown parking changes. In March 2020, COVID hit and parking fees were waived, so for three full summers, less revenue than normal has been collected. Despite those factors and now construction, downtown is busier than ever. Enforcement will be critical, and the City must start collecting revenue and setting new behaviors, i.e. not allowing parking in yellow areas. iltwater TNI IIIHHPLACE OF IIINNEIOTA Downtown Parking Commission Meeting August 17, 2023 Page 2 of 3 Police Chief Mueller replied that some people have been allowed to park in yellow for a long time, so there will definitely be some pain points. Increased signage showing where people can park and for how long also is needed. There are four officers dedicated to downtown patrol, and one parking enforcement officer, one community service officer and one community resource officer. There is one license plate reader. In the future, it would be great to have a group of civilian parking enforcement workers to do education as well as tagging. The Department needs to look at different hours and different staff to navigate the 24/7 nature of parking downtown. The focus going into the fall will be generating some numbers to see what is working and what is not working. Councilmember Junker remarked that 40% of the downtown parking is still free and residents will soon figure that out. St. Croix Boat and Packet Parking in Bridgeview Park Mr. Gladhill said there is a boat parking sign posted and boat patrons are using the City-owned unpaved, gravel area south of the docks in Bridgeview Park but there is no agreement for this. The area is planned for green space, not parking, whenever the improvements are done. The City got $6 million from the State for all of the riverfront improvements including Bridgeview Park, and there is a plan but the City has not started construction plans yet. Chairman Glynn asked if long term parking there is out because of the historic nature of area and Mr. Gladhill replied that the area is an old mill district subject to environment and cultural review. Commissioner _________ asked what precedent does the Commission want to set for others using space that is not designated for parking, and would there be legal considerations if the City allows the parking to go on there for a few years? Councilmember Junker said the boat operation should be told that they won’t always be allowed to park there. Commissioner Lentz noted the St. Croix Boat and Packet web site appears they are labeling the area specifically as free Boat and Packet parking. Mr. Gladhill said he will reach out to the owner in a friendly manner saying the City is not aware of any parking agreement for that area. Chairman Glynn voiced concern about liability, for example if a vehicle gets stuck there, overturns, is on fire and so on. He wondered if there is an opportunity for interim improvements to be done. Commissioners also questioned whether the Heritage Preservation Commission is aware of the current parking use. Mr. Gladhill said he will reach out to the HPC as well as the business. Signage and QR Code Needs for Downtown Parking Mr. Gladhill said new Passport signage and new pay zone signage is being made. There will be more promotion of free parking till 10 a.m. He asked Commissioners about additional signage needs. Chairman Glynn requested a map indicating where new signs will be placed. Mr. Gladhill shared that a business toolkit will be emailed to local businesses with QR codes and graphic images to put on web sites and in windows. The codes will take them to a page to download the Passport app. Commissioners discussed having a QR code directing them to a parking map. Councilmember Junker suggested putting fliers on cars. Mr. Gladhill will follow up on the sign map and fliers, and give the business toolkit to Commissioners. FYI/STAFF UPDATES Expanded Pay Zone Implementation Date - September 8, 2023 Downtown Parking Commission Meeting August 17, 2023 Page 3 of 3 Discussed above. COMMISSION REQUESTS ADJOURNMENT Chairman Glynn, seconded by Commissioner LePage, to adjourn the meeting. All in favor. The meeting was adjourned at 9:34 a.m. Brad Glynn, Chair ATTEST: ________________ Tim Gladhill, Community Development Director