Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout2017-10-19 DTPC MIN DOWNTOWN PARKING COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES October 19, 2017 REGULAR MEETING 8:30 A.M. Chairwoman Pelletier called the meeting to order at 8:30 a.m. Present: Chairwoman Pelletier, Commissioners Anderson, Hopfe, Glynn, Lettner, Johnson and Council Member Junker Staff: Community Development Director Turnblad, Zoning Administrator/Assistant Planner Olson-Williams, Police Chief Gannaway APPROVAL OF MINUTES Approval of September 21, 2017 meeting minutes Minutes were accepted as presented. NEW BUSINESS Bridge Conversion Project Community Development Director Turnblad stated that the Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT) has begun the conversion of the lift bridge to a pedestrian facility. Until spring, the work requires no staging areas. But beginning in April 2018, activity levels will increase and staging areas will be necessary. The staging areas will remain in place until June 2019 when the project is completed and the lift bridge opens to pedestrian and bicycle traffic. MnDOT proposes to use all of Chestnut between Main Street and the bridge concourse for a staging area. The Water Street crossing of Chestnut will remain open throughout the project. There are two issues of concern to City staff: 1) barricading Chestnut between Main and Water may discourage customers from visiting Leo’s sidewalk window, the Wedge & Wheel and Leo’s outside dining area. 2) The fenced construction staging area will block use of Municipal Lot 4. Therefore, the 29 spaces in this lot will be unavailable from April through perhaps July or August. Mr. Turnblad presented three options to resolve the concerns. Staff recommends the second option, leaving Chestnut between Main and Water open, signing both sides of the street for no parking, and having construction crew parking in Lot 4, in exchange for MnDOT reconstruction of Lot 4. Police Chief Gannaway stated that before, no trucks over 55’ were allowed because they couldn’t navigate the corner. Mr. Turnblad said MnDOT will have to have flagmen out there manipulating traffic when their large trucks make deliveries such as steel. The majority of work on the lift bridge will be straightening and replacing steel, gears and mechanisms for lifting the bridge. Downtown Parking Commission October 19, 2017 Page 2 of 4 Motion by Commissioner Glynn, seconded by Commissioner Anderson, to recommend Option 2b, leave Chestnut between Main and Water open, sign both sides of the street for no parking, and have construction crew parking in Lot 4, and request that MnDOT not barricade anything on Chestnut, and instead of paying for the reserved parking spaces in cash, payment be the reconstruction of Lot 4 to accommodate reversed traffic flow, to be done in June/July 2019 when the bridge conversion is complete. All in favor, 6-0. Parking Enterprise Fund Report Community Development Director reported on the status of the Parking Enterprise Fund. It is a healthy fund which covers all operational costs for surface lots and capital. At this point he does not feel that the Commission needs to consider a rate increase. Estimated revenues for 2017 are extremely conservative. At the Commission’s request, Mr. Turnblad will get the year-to-date revenue figure for the next meeting. UPDATES Parking Ramp Attendant Police Chief Gannaway reviewed the proposal for hiring a second parking enforcement officer. $47,817 is the salary with benefits (the full compensation package). Thursday through Saturday, four 10-hour shifts would give the best coverage. Duties would include writing parking tickets, enforcing wintertime odd/even parking, providing parking ramp assistance, responding to after-hours parking ramp calls, resident parking enforcement, and community service calls (lock outs, parking disputes). The officer also would provide a general law enforcement presence downtown. He noted that the Finance Director felt this position could be assimilated into the Parking Enterprise Fund. Chairwoman Pelletier said she has a hard time justifying this position. She would like to propose that the Lowell Inn be responsible for handling the calls regarding the parking ramp. She asked City Attorney Magnuson if this would be a conflict of interest and she said he feels it is not. Commissioner Anderson agreed it is hard to justify a dedicated parking person at night, although he sees the point of having more enforcement presence downtown. Police Chief Gannaway noted that the Council is trying to make Stillwater a year-round city, and that parking is an issue even in the winter. He agreed to talk to Mr. Turnblad about asking the Lowell Inn to monitor the ramp arm. Motion by Commissioner Glynn, seconded by Commissioner Hopfe, to table the hiring of a second parking enforcement officer. All in favor, 6-0. ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at 9:30 a.m. Respectfully Submitted, Julie Kink, Recording Secretary