HomeMy WebLinkAbout2013-08-15 DTPC MIN
TMP OIRTNâșLACE Of MINNESOTA
DOWNTOWN COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES
August 15, 2013
REGULAR MEETING 8:30 A.M.
Chair Pelletier called the meeting to order at 8:30 a.m.
Present:
Absent:
Staff:
Commissioners Pelletier, Korte, Anderson, Helmberger, and Hopfe Franke,
Council Representative Kozlowski
Commissioners Junker and Johnson
Community Development Director Turnblad, Police Chief John Gannaway
(arrived late), Parking Enforcement Officer Pasket
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Commissioner Korte stated that Commissioner Johnson seconded the motion for approval of
the June 20, 2013 minutes, and that Commissioner Junker made the motion for adjournment
and he seconded.
Motion by Commissioner Helmberger, seconded by Commissioner Hopfe, to approve the June
20, 2013 meeting minutes as corrected. All in favor, 6-0.
NEW BUSINESS
2012 Financial Report
Community Development Director Turnblad reported that according to the 2012 Financial
Statements, revenues of $210,657 covered the parking lot expenses of $204,801. But less
than $6,000 was generated to put into reserve for capital expenses. Given the disruption
caused by the current highway, bridge and parking lot construction, the City Council chose to
wait until 2015 to increase rates in the parking lots. As for the parking ramp, the $47,393
generated in parking ramp revenue fell $95,594 short of covering operating expenses. He
believes the main equipment problem is inconsistencies in the validators for the Lowell Inn,
so they are no longer being used. Instead, prepaid tickets are printed and given to the Lowell
Inn. This is expensive for the City as each ticket costs 25 cents. A transfer of TIF funds for
eligible equipment and other expenses covered the shortfall in 2012. In 2013 a transfer of
Parking Enterprise Funds will be necessary to cover the shortfall, as there will not be any TIF
eligible expenses. A study similar to the parking lot study completed last year will need to be
done this winter and spring to address the parking ramp shortfall.
Downtown Parking Commission August 15, 2013
Commissioner Helmberger suggested offering downtown businesses printed tickets at a
discount which they could give to customers to park in the ramp.
Community Development Director Turnblad suggested offering monthly passes in the ramp
to business owners and employees downtown to free up spaces in the lots for customers.
Parking Ramp/System Signage at Lot #1
Chair Pelletier said she is not in favor of a large permanent sign as described in the staff
report. The Commission discussed the location, size and verbiage of potential signage for the
parking ramp. Community Development Director Turnblad will bring back information on
costs.
Parking for Downtown Residents
Community Development Director Turnblad reported that staff would like Parking
Commissioners to help define the scope of the residential parking needs. He presented a list
of several issues for the Commission to consider and asked that Commissioners email him
with additional issues so he can include them in a revised list for discussion in September.
SPECIAL EVENTS
Fall Fine Art & Music Festival
Community Development Director Turnblad stated that The Stillwater Area Chamber of
Commerce is requesting a Special Event Permit to hold the Fall Fine Art & Music Festival in
South Lowell Park, the adjacent City parking lot (Lot #2) and Sam Bloomer Way October 4-
6. The majority of the venue will be available for the festival, but the south end of the park
will be closed for bathroom construction and the adjacent City parking lot may not yet be
reconstructed. If Lot #2 is reconstructed in time for the Festival, there will be 84 new spaces
in the lot. At the off-season rate of $1.50/space/day, the fee for the lot would be $378.
However, if the lot is not reconstructed yet, staff would recommend reducing the fee by at
least half to no more than $189.
Commissioner Hopfe Franke suggested that if the event were on the north end of downtown
that would push more business toward the parking ramp. It is hard for businesses when one
lot is torn up and the other is taken by an event.
Motion by Commissioner Helmberger to recommend that the City offer use of the south lot as
requested for $378 or the Zephyr lot at no cost, seconded by Hopfe Franke. All in favor, 6-0.
OTHER BUSINESS
There was no other business.
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Downtown Parking Commission August 15, 2013
ADJOURNMENT
Commissioner Helmberger moved adjournment, which was seconded by Commissioner Hopfe
Franke and carried on a 6-0 vote. The meeting was adjourned at 9:34 a.m.
Respectfully Submitted,
Julie Kink
Recording Secretary
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