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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2015-09-17 DTPC MIN DOWNTOWN PARKING COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES September 17, 2015 REGULAR MEETING Chairwoman Pelletier called the meeting to order at 8:40 a.m. Present: Chairwoman Pelletier, Commissioners Anderson and Hopfe, Council Representative Junker Absent: Commissioners Helmberger, Lettner and Johnson Staff: Community Development Director Turnblad, Police Chief Gannaway, Parking Enforcement Officer Pasket, Finance Director Harrison (arrived at 8:49) APPROVAL OF MINUTES Approval of July 16, 2015 meeting minutes Because there was not a quorum, no action was taken on the July 16, 2015 minutes. NEW BUSINESS Proposed 2016 Budget Community Development Director Turnblad explained the 2016 budgets for the parking ramp and the surface lots. The City Council reviewed the budgets in late August and approved them. Downtown Parking Commission review of the proposed budgets was scheduled in August prior to Council approval, but the August Downtown Parking Commission meeting was cancelled for a lack of a quorum. Consequently, the only changes that can be made to the budget now would be the revenue projections and operating cost line items. Capital cost changes or major changes to the budget would have to be approved by the Council. Credit card technology is changing and will soon require a chip in addition to the strip. In 2016, the City will be expected to provide the chip-reading technology if possible, but if there is credit card fraud, liability would not fall to the City. By 2017, the City will have to determine how to handle credit card fraud in regard to the new technology. Parking Enforcement Officer Pasket said according to the parking equipment vendor, it would cost around $20,000 to update the equipment for the new credit card technology, but this may be a waste of money, because it would take a long time to incur $20,000 of fraudulent parking charges. Community Development Director Turnblad added in the meantime, the City will have to ensure it has liability coverage for charges made with other vendors. For now, the League of Downtown Parking Commission September 17, 2015 Page 2 of 3 Minnesota Cities says it will cover this type of liability. The parking ramp revenue is covering operation but not depreciation. Some way will have to be found to cover these costs. Downtown Resident Guest Passes Community Development Director Turnblad stated that the question has arisen whether a downtown resident may buy a pass for guests. For $20 a month, downtown residents may buy passes to park overnight in Lots 3, 4, 5, 10, 11, 12, 16 and 17. If the City allows every condo owner to also buy a guest pass, it would be hard to control. Police Chief Gannaway commented this would create an enforcement nightmare. Councilmember Junker said he was approached by the Lofts, which would like to buy 5-6 passes as an association, to be used for residents’ family members who stay overnight. Community Development Director Turnblad reminded the Commission that during the winter, the City prohibits on-street parking in order to facilitate plowing, so free parking is allowed in surface lots downtown. Therefore, residents aren’t required to buy permits during the winter, Nov. 1 - Apr 30. Vehicles still have to be moved after 24 hours. Chairwoman Pelletier said the guest parking pass would be a nice thing to offer downtown residents. Commissioner Hopfe suggested restricting it to one week. Councilmember Junker asked what is the difference between a condo association or a business buying monthly passes? It is still one spot. Commissioner Anderson suggested using the normal residential pass and trying that - if it’s abused, do something else. The was consensus to try this approach. 15-Minute Parking Spaces on Chestnut and Short Term Parking at Feed Store Community Development Director Turnblad explained there are two situations where business changes have affected on street parking short term spots: 1) Dairy Queen and 2) the Feed Store. With Dairy Queen’s move to the Highway 36 corridor and the change of ownership at the feed store, it may be time to consider changes to the short term parking spaces that are adjacent to these buildings. Commissioner Hopfe remarked there should be some 15-minute spaces distributed around downtown, as they are very helpful for people picking up things from shops. Parking Enforcement Officer Pasket commented the three 15-minute spots on the south side of Chestnut seem sufficient to handle the businesses that are there. Downtown Parking Commission September 17, 2015 Page 3 of 3 Commissioner Anderson suggested eliminating all 15-minute spaces on the south side of Chestnut. Chairwoman Pelletier stated the 15-minute spaces shouldn’t be eliminated unless they are added somewhere else. This should be discussed when more Commissioners are present. She would be open to eliminating some of the loading spaces by the Feed Store, and is willing to go talk to the owner and report back to the Commission. OTHER BUSINESS Lot 1 - Overflow Map to Parking Ramp Parking Enforcement Officer Pasket handed out parking maps. Commissioner Hopfe said over Labor Day weekend there were some heated, emotional discussions over the parking lots being filled, especially with guests going to the boats for events such as weddings, who were unable to find a place to park. Community Development Director Turnblad said perhaps St. Croix Boat and Packet could put a map on their web site and remind their guests of the traffic delays and parking situation. If guests are aware that they will have to park several blocks away, they would be able to handle it better. There are ways to inform the public about parking information and alternate routes into town. He agreed to talk with St. Croix Boat and Packet to see if they would put the parking maps on their web site and tell their event bookers about the parking situation. ADJOURNMENT Chairwoman Pelletier adjourned the meeting at 9:48 a.m. Respectfully Submitted, Julie Kink, Recording Secretary