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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2013-03-21 DTPC MINItem 3 THE NI INNEUtA DOWNTOWN COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES March 21, 2013 REGULAR MEETING 8:30 A.M. Chairwoman Pelletier called the meeting to order at 8:35 a.m. Present: Chairwoman Pelletier, Commissioners Helmberger, Korte, Junker, Anderson Absent: Commissioners Johnson, Hopfe Franke; Police Chief Gannaway, Council Representative Kozlowski Staff: Community Development Director Turnblad, Parking Enforcement Officer Pasket APPROVAL OF MINUTES Motion by Commissioner Helmberger, seconded by Commissioner Korte, to approve the November 15, 2012 meeting minutes. All in favor, 5 -0. NEW BUSINESS Grand Buffet Request for Discount Ramp Tickets Community Development Director Turnblad explained that Dick Anderson, owner of the Grand in downtown Stillwater, requested discount parking ramp tickets. The proposed discount would be $1 during the off season (resulting in a $2 ticket) and $2 during the peak season (resulting in a $3 ticket). The City would make $1.50 during off season and $2.50 during peak season under the proposed discount. Commissioner Korte asked if there is a way to track whether tickets were validated at the Grand as opposed to the Lowell Inn. Community Development Director Turnblad responded that the validator will track this during the monthly reading. The total owed by the business is invoiced from the validator. If there are other businesses that want to do this, the City could sell them the validating machine and give them the same rate. There are two types of validators - they cost about $1,000. Commissioner Junker noted that for 10 -15 years merchants have complained about no parking in downtown Stillwater. After almost three years of having the ramp, Downtown Parking Commission March 21, 2013 people still don't know the ramp is available. He believes people don't want to pay to park in a ramp unless it's a big event and they know it will be difficult to find parking. Community Development Director Turnblad replied when the lots downtown have been redone and are pay parking, the ramp may get more use. Motion by Commissioner Helmberger, seconded by Commissioner Korte, to approve the Grand Buffet request with the condition that the City reserves the right to exclude certain dates without notice such as the Fourth of July and other events. All in favor, 5- 0. SPECIAL EVENTS Community Development Director Turnblad mentioned downtown parking and events this summer will all be impacted by the Army Corps of Engineers' work on the third and final phase of the levee project. All lots immediately abutting Lowell Park will be resurfaced. The gravel lot at PD Pappy's north of Mulberry will be closed for staging the entire summer. City Engineer Sanders will come to the April meeting to inform the Commission of details. Cruisin' on the Croix Community Development Director Turnblad informed the Commission that since it is impossible at this point to know how lot closures will affect this event, organizers have requested the use of City Lot #9 and have received permission from Mr. Paradeau and Mr. Desch to use their private parking lots. These three lots may be sufficient to handle the demand for parking to display the vintage cars. If not, organizers would like to add Lot #8 if necessary, and the north half of Lot #7, in that order. They would only want to be charged if they need to use the lot. The City would have to barricade the lots with signs indicating the lot needs to be vacated by a certain time of day. Chairwoman Pelletier said the City shouldn't just leave the lot empty if organizers don't want to pay for the lot. Commissioner Junker said as a downtown resident, he is concerned about the frequency of this event and would prefer to keep it to 11 Wednesdays, not 13 as requested. Community Development Director Turnblad added that the City has to be careful on signage for Lot #9 because Terra Springs commercial people buy monthly permits. Also, the event shouldn't be able to use spaces along Main Street for street rods until after a certain time. Page 2 of 6 Downtown Parking Commission March 21, 2013 Community Development Director Turnblad reminded the Commission that Lot #9 will be unavailable from 2014 on because the City has committed it to the DNR for the trailhead. Commissioner Helmberger said Cruisin' on the Croix is a good event for Stillwater. He can understand it's inconvenient for downtown residents, but he supports the request. Commissioner Korte suggested the event might use Lot #9 based on the spaces available without closing the lot, so those with permits can still use it. Commissioner Junker reiterated the inconvenience to downtown residents, though he would not want to vote against the event. He wants it to be limited to 11 Wednesdays. Commissioner Anderson responded that downtown merchants beg for mid -week business like this event brings. Chairwoman Pelletier commented the applicant should either commit to paying for Lot #8 or not for the season - it shouldn't be based on whatever works for a particular week. Parking Enforcement Officer Pasket said he recommends that the event use the Paradeau lot, any available spaces in Lot #9, and then if they need more, let them decide whether to commit to reserving Lot #8 every Wednesday - either they reserve the whole lot, or not. Commissioner Helmberger commented that Paradeau's lot, the Desch building, and the option to use available spaces in Lot #9 should be sufficient in his opinion. Chairwoman Pelletier suggested Lot #9 be cordoned off so event -goers can walk from lot to lot, and the City should bill the event for all of Lot #9. Community Development Director Turnblad noted that staff don't want to chase down the organizers every week to decide what to charge. He prefers they be charged up front for the whole lot at the beginning of the season like last year. The cost for all 13 dates for Lot #9 would be just over $2,000. Last year the Commission recommended to charge the standard rate and the Council voted to cut that in half. Motion by Commissioner Helmberger, seconded by Commissioner Korte, to recommend charging the event for Lot #9, 103 spaces at $154.50 for each of the 13 requested dates, and requiring that the organizer responsible for blocking the lot and not tow any vehicles. Motion passed 3 -2. Chairwoman Pelletier noted for the record that she voted nay due to the number of events; she thinks 11 is enough. Page 3 of 6 Downtown Parking Commission March 21, 2013 Nature Valley Grand Prix Community Development Director Turnblad reported that the Nature Valley Grand Prix has applied for a permit to hold its 12th annual Stillwater Criterium Race on June 16th. They would like to reserve the same parking lots and same route as last year: Lot #12, Olive Street, and Lot #13, UBC Lot, as well as all of the on- street parking along the course. Staff recommends charging $534 for the use of the two Tots and the marked on- street parking. This is the same fee as was paid last year. Motion by Commissioner Helmberger, seconded by Commissioner Korte, to charge $534 for use of the two lots and marked on- street parking for the Stillwater Criterium. All in favor, 5 -0. Stillwater Log Run Community Development Director Turnblad reported that Run Stillwater, Inc has applied for three race events this year, to be handled by Mastel Event Management. Two of the events will impact downtown parking: 1) Stillwater Log Run (July 20), and 2) Stillwater Lift Bridge Road Race (October 19). For the Stillwater Log Run, they wish to reserve all parking spaces on the east side of Main between the depot and Mulberry Street for a running lane. It would cost $9 per space, or $306. Given the congestion at the finish line, staff feels one of the abutting parking lots should be reserved for the event. The lot north of Mulberry (Lot #8) is preferred, because it is less disruptive to the rest of the parking system. This lot has 39 spaces. The fee for Lot #8 is $3.00 per space, or $117. Staff recommends charging $423 to cover both Lot #8 and the on ā¯‘street parking reservations for this peak season event. Last Tuesday, the Council voted to require that the race change its finish line due to construction downtown. He is not sure where the finish line will be now. Staff recommends if the Council approves the race with a finish line at Mulberry Point, that the Commission have a recommendation in place to proceed with the $423 charge. Stillwater Lift Bridge Road Races Community Development Director Turnblad informed the Commission this race would follow the same course as the Stillwater Log Run, but it would be held October 19, so off season parking rates apply. The cost would be $160.50 to cover both Lot #8 and the on- street parking spaces. If the course changes, it would need to come back to the Commission. Motion by Commissioner Anderson, seconded by Commissioner Junker, to accept the staff recommendation for the Stillwater Log Run and the Stillwater Lift Bridge Road Races. All in favor, 5 -0. Page 4 of 6 Downtown Parking Commission March 21, 2013 Spring Art Fair Community Development Director reported this paperwork is not ready for Commission review yet. OTHER BUSINESS Hiring Parking Ramp Attendant Community Development Director Turnblad informed the Commission that a conditional offer has been made for a college student to begin at $10 /hour for 270 hours, to come from parking ramp fees. The attendant would be there all weekends in summer, special events, and other times, to help drivers pay as they leave and exit the ramp, and maintain equipment. Larry's Floor Covering Parking Enforcement Officer Pasket expressed concern over phone calls he has been getting from Larry, saying somebody is parking in his spot. The sign says reserved parking, but doesn't designate it's for Larry's Floor Covering. The sign should say "reserved for commercial vehicles." Commissioner Junker agreed, and suggested the City notify Larry. Lot #6 Parking Enforcement Officer Pasket noted the City removed signs from Lot #6. Should we have a sign there indicating 3 hour parking as it used to be posted? Commissioner Junker recalled the plan was to leave it 3 hour parking, and the City should sign it again. Lighting near ramp Parking Enforcement Officer Pasket reported that in an eight day period, two parking entrance arms were broken off by vandals. They were captured on video but the lighting is so poor they can't be identified. He would like the lighting to be improved on the Third Street entry and exit gates. Community Development Director Turnblad replied the City may be able to better light the pay station itself. Page 5 of 6 Downtown Parking Commission March 21, 2013 Maps Parking Enforcement Officer Pasket brought parking maps and asked the Commissioners to review them to see if they need updating. ADJOURNMENT Motion by Chairwoman Pelletier, seconded by Commissioner Junker, to adjourn the meeting at 9:46 a.m. NEXT MEETING The next meeting of the Downtown Parking Commission will be April 18, 8:30 a.m. in City Hall Conference Room 213. Respectfully Submitted, Julie Kink Recording Secretary Page 6 of 6