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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2014-11-20 DTPC MIN DOWNTOWN PARKING COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES November 20, 2014 REGULAR MEETING Chairwoman Pelletier called the meeting to order at 8:30 a.m. Present: Chair Pelletier, Commissioners Anderson, Helmberger, Hopfe, Johnson, and Lettner, Council Representative Kozlowski Absent: Commissioner Junker Staff: Community Development Director Turnblad, Police Chief Gannaway, Parking Enforcement Officer Pasket APPROVAL OF MINUTES Motion by Commissioner Helmberger, seconded by Commissioner Hopfe, to approve the October 24, 2014 meeting minutes. All in favor, 6-0. NEW BUSINESS Rivertown Art Festival Community Development Director Turnblad reviewed the request. The Chamber would like to use parts of Lots 8a and 8b, 9, 10 and 11. He noted for discussion purposes that the Commission is currently working on a policy for use of downtown lots; also the 2015 fee schedule for use of lots has not been adopted yet, so the fee will have to be set after the Council adopts the 2015 fee schedule. Staff recommends approval of the request with the exception of Lot 8a and Lot 10. Chamber Director Streeter informed the Commission that he was deleting Lot 10 from the request in order to keep that lot open for PD Pappy’s. Community Development Director Turnblad noted that weather and a shortage of cement have delayed construction of Lot 10 until next year. In addition, Lot 8a is leased exclusively to River Market, so staff strongly discourages using it for any events, and would recommend use of four foot high temporary fencing for Lot 8a. Chair Pelletier stated she wished the event were scheduled a couple weeks earlier as in the past. Downtown Parking Commission November 20, 2014 Commissioner Helmberger asked if the downtown businesses were consulted about their preferred dates for the festival. Mr. Streeter responded that everyone is affected by the event; if only 10% of the artists said they would like the second date, then there may not be enough artists for the event. Commissioner Anderson replied it’s not fair what the date change is doing to the businesses. Mr. Streeter stated he understands there’s opposition to the date change. Community Development Director Turnblad noted that the City’s event coordinator counted open parking spaces during the 2014 event, and observed that the later date didn’t appear to negatively affect parking especially in the south end of downtown. The City held a pre-event meeting and only Commissioner Hopfe attended. Council Representative Kozlowski confirmed that the City had an open house about it and one person showed up. Motion by Commissioner Helmberger, seconded by Commissioner Hopfe, to approve the use of Lots 8b, 9 and 11 without a recommendation on what dates are acceptable. The condition of approval is that Lot 12 not be included in any event materials as a possible lot for vendors to park in. All in favor, 6-0. Cruisin’ on the Croix Community Development Director Turnblad reviewed the request, which is to reserve Lots 4, 5, 9, 10, and 11 for the same number of event dates as in 2014: the first Wednesday of June through last Wednesday of August. Chair Pelletier said this is too many dates. She mentioned that people in the Maple Island Building and PD Pappy’s complained to the City about the event last summer. Community Development Director Turnblad summarized that there were two kinds of complaints - 1) simply the lots used - the City can solve this as long as it avoids use of the River Market lot; and 2) the majority of complaints were about using this part of the parking system - people in the Maple Island Building who normally park in that field felt inconvenienced every week to find a different spot. The other complaint is that it goes on all summer long. Commissioner Hopfe noted that the other thing that kept coming up last year was that the lots were closed for two days straight (with Summer Tuesdays and Crusin’ Wednesdays). To have two full lots on the north end of downtown essentially closed all day for two days was an issue for businesses. Scott Zahren, Event Coordinator for Crusin’ on the Croix, remarked that email that he and Chamber Director Streeter received indicated that the only people impacted by the event Page 2 of 7 Downtown Parking Commission November 20, 2014 were the people who live downtown and that parking becomes inconvenient for them. That was the rationale for eliminating use of Lots 4 and 5. He has lived downtown for 10 years and doesn’t see that as an issue. There appears to be adequate parking for the people who live downtown. Wednesday is 20% of the week. The folks who work downtown and use Lots 8a and 8b - there are other lots these folks can park in and go to work. If it’s an inconvenience, it’s a short inconvenience considering the number of days. Commissioner Helmberger commented he agrees that when you live downtown, parking can be an inconvenience. Those are just issues that come with living and working downtown. Mr. Zahren added that downtown employees are taking customer spaces. The ramp is under- utilized. He would like the Commission to come up with a solution to get the employees who are inconveniencing customers to park in the ramp. Chair Pelletier noted that next year riverfront parking spots will cost $5 so they probably will not park there anymore. Mr. Zahren said more signage is needed to indicate where the parking ramp is. There is plenty of parking downtown - the parking problem is a perception problem. This event draws 200 people who spend money at businesses. The cars cycle in and out. 225 dash plaques are given out every week. They come in, spend an hour or two and leave. When a spot becomes vacant, another car pulls in. He offers businesses the opportunity to hand out flyers during the car show event. Chair Pelletier stated at the very least, she would like to eliminate the car show during Log Jam week. She also would like to reduce it a couple more weeks. Parking Enforcement Officer Pasket pointed out that Lot 4 is where some of the barber shop customers and residents of 200 S. Main St. want to park. The City is looking at making Lot 4 a permit lot, as it seems to be the one that attracts the most monthly permit parkers. Chair Pelletier asked if Lots 9, 10 and 11 are not enough spaces for the event. Mr. Zahren replied that some of the major sponsors would balk at sponsoring the event if that many of the parking lots were cut out of the program. Chair Pelletier asked why would people not pay $1 a car to sit in beautiful Stillwater? Mr. Zahren responded that does not happen in car shows. That is why they want to be down by the river. He could probably get by with Lots 9, 10 and 11 but he would lose major sponsors, such as the Water Street Inn, Rick’s 36 and Anytime Bail Bonds, which would create a deficit. It’s always been the intention to use Lots 10 and 11 and get out of Lots 8a and 8b. He understands the River Market concerns. Commissioner Helmberger commented that the car show is a good opportunity for families. It brings the local people in during the week. Page 3 of 7 Downtown Parking Commission November 20, 2014 Mr. Zahren added it’s something to do - it’s free, it brings kids, wheelchairs, dogs, old and young - it’s exciting because it’s every week. Sponsors want more impact - with more days they get more impact. Police Chief Gannaway stated he would be concerned if the event is held the same night as Rumble on the Deck. Mr. Zahren said he would like to see downtown grow and thrive - this is a solid opportunity. To inconvenience a few of the downtown residents like himself, in the long view, is OK. A busy downtown Stillwater is better than a ghost town. Chair Pelletier said she would like to see Lots 4 and 5 eliminated from the event but understands Mr. Zahren’s concerns. Mr. Zahren said he always asks sponsors what they would like. He wants to please them. They are telling him they don’t want the event scaled back. Motion by Commissioner Helmberger, seconded by Commissioner Johnson, to approve the use of Lots 4, 5, 9, 10 and 11 for all of the requested dates except for that of Log Jam week; and if the Rumble on the Deck falls on a Wednesday, the car event would not be allowed to use that lot on that Wednesday either. Motion failed on a 3-3 vote with Commissioners Helmberger, Johnson and Lettner voting aye, Commissioners Hopfe, Anderson and Chair Pelletier voting nay. Chair Pelletier said she thinks lots 4 and 5 should be eliminated. She likes the event but it’s just too big and has too many dates. Commissioner Helmberger said he thinks it’s a good event for downtown. Commissioner Hopfe commented the requested dates are OK, but downtown businesses pay a lot of taxes and to have the parking lots shut down twice a week during the entire busy season is not good. An audience member responded that she doesn’t see any of the downtown restaurants encouraging their employees to use the parking ramp. Commissioner Hopfe said they all encourage that, but you can’t force the employees to park in the ramp. It’s an issue for every building downtown, not just the restaurants. Commissioner Anderson stated that blocking the street on Tuesday creates a problem for Marina residents. Parking Enforcement Officer Pasket remarked if somebody parks in those lots and doesn’t move, he is not towing them - they stay there. He’s just trying to prohibit new cars from parking there. Page 4 of 7 Downtown Parking Commission November 20, 2014 Mike Lynskey said he represents 60,000 square feet on Main Street. He has never heard a negative comment about the car show. His tenants like the fact that it brings people in. He doesn’t think there’s a parking problem in Stillwater. There’s a congestion problem that will go away when the bridge is constructed. You can always find a parking place in downtown Stillwater. Council Representative Kozlowski recognized that the ramp is never filled to capacity. Parking Enforcement Officer Pasket suggested erecting a sign saying Lot 4 will be closed at 1 pm, and blocking it off at 5 pm. Mr. Zahren stated the natural point of entry is Myrtle Street, so Lot 4 is the first one to fill up. Commissioner Helmberger said he would like to see downtown residents given a consistent place to park so they can stay out of the way for events. Parking Enforcement Officer Pasket said if the event can delay the opening of Lot 4 till 3 pm that would be good. Mr. Zahren responded that would not work. Council Representative Kozlowski stated he would like to give downtown residents a more specific place to park. Parking Enforcement Officer Pasket noted that Lot 3 has ample parking for people who use permits so they don’t have to use Lot 4. Motion by Chair Pelletier, seconded by Commissioner Anderson, that as long as Lot 3 becomes available for downtown residents with parking permits in 2015, the use of Lots 4, 5, 9, 10 and 11 would be allowed for all of the requested dates except for Log Jam week; and if the Rumble on the Deck falls on a Wednesday, the car event would not be allowed to use that lot on that Wednesday either. All in favor, 6-0. Sather Event Center Community Development Director Turnblad reviewed the request for an event center on Main Street. At the Planning Commission, a new parking plan was introduced. The Planning Commission wanted comments from the Downtown Parking Commission. In the first phase, the deficit increase will be 86 spaces. The proposed mitigation for this 86 is that on Fridays and Saturdays, the applicant will have a valet parking system. There would be three valet parking spaces in Union Alley and two valet spaces on Chestnut, for a total of five valet spaces. This would be a public valet system, not restricted to use by event center guests. Staff recommends charging the applicant the parking ramp rate of $3 on weekends Thursday through Sunday and $2 during the week per car. In addition there would be a fee charged to the applicant for reserving public on-street spaces. Proposed signage for each valet station would state no parking or stopping. The temporary signs would have to be approved by the Page 5 of 7 Downtown Parking Commission November 20, 2014 Heritage Preservation Commission. The Planning Commission will address the topic the second Wednesday of December. Police Chief Gannaway stated he has some issues with starting and stopping on Main Street creating more congestion, but is not sure if that is an issue for this body to discuss. It needs to be addressed by the Traffic Safety Commission. Mr. Sather replied he would figure out very quickly where the problems are. He would be paying in three different ways: valets would be paying to park the cars in the ramp, the business would be paying for the leased valet spots on the street, and paying for mitigation. The valet could serve any businesses. He would have a valet posted at the ramp also. Chair Pelletier remarked that Union Alley is narrow and is already congested. The Commission should think about adding delivery trucks, valet, band, loading etc. It’s the busiest corner in town and now add people trying to figure out how to get there. Mr. Sather said he will try to keep all the valet cars going right up Chestnut. He agrees that the parking problem is a perception - the valet system would be funded by clients, so there would be no cost to the City. Council Representative Kozlowski stated he likes the fact that anybody can use the valet service. Clients will naturally park in the ramp, as it’s so close to the event center. Commissioner Hopfe expressed concern about having one business take up 300 spots, plus events shutting down entire lots. The downtown is pretty full even for those who know how to find a parking spot. To consume large numbers of parking spaces on weekends impacts businesses. Mr. Sather reiterated that the proposal is an answer to the perceived problem of downtown parking. Mr. Lynskey commented that in his experience, there is not a parking problem downtown. The City should not start turning away businesses because of the perception that there is a parking problem. This event center proposal would be a good user of large space downtown. If denied, there could be another user who would bring up the same issues. Commissioner Helmberger said there are fixed costs to the parking ramp. It’s better to charge $2 a space than get nothing. The proposal would build awareness of the ramp. Mr. Sather stated it didn’t occur to him when he did this plan that there’s not a left turn onto Chestnut when travelling north on Main Street. Maybe one valet spot should be in front of US Bank as well. Commissioner Hopfe noted this may cause other businesses to want to lease spaces on Main Street. Page 6 of 7 Downtown Parking Commission November 20, 2014 Motion by Commissioner Helmberger, seconded by Commissioner Johnson, to approve the parking plan concept as proposed and detailed in Appendix A of the staff report, with two conditions: 1) the exact location of the five valet stations is to be determined by the City Council after the Traffic Safety Committee reviews the plan; and 2) the applicant must enter into a formal agreement with the City Council for the use of the parking ramp and 15-minute on-street spaces. All in favor, 6-0. UPS Request Community Development Director Turnblad explained that UPS is requesting the lease of a single parking spot in Lot 8b through December. They would park a 6’ by 12’ trailer in the spot during the days as storage so delivery van drivers can save time by staying local to refill their vans. Motion by Commissioner Anderson, seconded by Commissioner Hopfe, to approve the use of one parking stall in Lot 8b through the end of December. All in favor, 6-0. Commercial Parking Ordinance Amendment Community Development Director Turnblad outlined his staff report dated November 14, 2014. Construction companies, one in particular, are using downtown public parking lots as their private equipment storage yards. And, parking loaded trailers (boat and others) is a recurring problem in downtown lots. Current parking ordinances do not specifically address either situation. So, staff recommends two simple ordinance revisions to rectify the oversights. Motion by Commissioner Helmberger, seconded by Commissioner Anderson, to approve the recommended amendment for the commercial contractor parking prohibition as found in the staff report, and to change the language for empty boat trailer parking by striking the word “boat” and adding: “boat trailer/trailer.” All in favor, 6-0. Parking Ramp Signs The Commission directed staff to solicit bids for the manufacture and installation of the parking ramp signs. If the installation date from the sign contractors is significantly quicker than can be done by the Public Works Department, and the price is reasonable, the City should go with an outside sign contractor. ADJOURNMENT Motion by Commissioner Helmberger, seconded by Commissioner Anderson, to adjourn at 11:22 a.m. All in favor, 6-0. Respectfully Submitted, Julie Kink, Recording Secretary Page 7 of 7