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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2017-11-16 DTPC MIN DOWNTOWN PARKING COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES November 16, 2017 REGULAR MEETING 8:30 A.M. Chairwoman Pelletier called the meeting to order at 8:34 a.m. Present: Chairwoman Pelletier, Commissioners Anderson, Hopfe, Glynn, Lettner, Council Liaison Junker Absent: Commissioner Johnson Staff: Community Development Director Turnblad, Police Chief Gannaway, Parking Enforcement Officer Pasket APPROVAL OF MINUTES Approval of October 19, 2017 meeting minutes Minutes were accepted as presented. SPECIAL EVENTS Maple Island Brewery - July 4 Event Community Development Director Turnblad reviewed the request. Frank Fabio, Maple Island Brewery, submitted an application for an event to be held in their private parking lot on July 4, 2018. The event would be held entirely on private property, with no use of public open space or public parking. However, the brewery’s private parking lot (22 spaces) would be converted solely to event use and would therefore not be available for customer parking. Staff recommends approval of the event and suggests that the Commission consider whether a parking impact fee should be recommended to the City Council for this event. Motion by Chairwoman Pelletier, seconded by Commissioner Glynn, to recommend approval of the request by Frank Fabio, Maple Island Brewery, to use their private parking lot for an event on July 4, 2018. All in favor, 5-0. Cruisin’ on the Croix Mr. Turnblad explained that Frank Fabio has made application for the 2018 Cruisin’ on the Croix event permit. He has requested the use of Lots 4, 5, 9, 10 and 11 (159 parking spaces) for eight event dates every other Wednesday, June 13 & 27, July 11 & 25, August 8 & 22, and September 5 & 19. Mr. Turnblad noted that a portion of Lot 4 may not be available for part of 2018 due to use for the lift bridge conversion project staging area. Downtown Parking Commission November 16, 2017 Page 2 of 4 Mr. Fabio clarified that he is requesting the use of Lots 4, 5, 8b and 9 for 2018. He added that if it’s a dry year, he may want to use some of the grass for parking. Mr. Turnblad referred that request to the Parks Commission. Chairwoman Pelletier commented that the event is too big, that it has run its course in Stillwater and has lost many of the downtown sponsors. She also would like to know the feelings of Meade Stone, River Market Coop, before moving forward on the request. Commissioner Hopfe agreed, saying the event has grown too big for downtown, especially considering construction projects occurring on each end of downtown plus the lift bridge. Mr. Fabio responded that the event brings people downtown and business owners who market their businesses to the people who come for the event do benefit from it. Commissioner Hopfe suggested that Mr. Fabio attend a meeting of the Independent Business Association (IBA) to hear what a big issue parking is for downtown businesses. Councilmember Junker remarked that the City Council is looking at the whole event situation in general because the City is being asked to host more and more events. He feels the Parking Commission should start to formulate a recommendation to the Council on event parking. Motion by Commissioner Lettner, seconded by Commissioner Anderson, to table the event permit for Cruisin’ on the Croix 2018 in order to receive River Market Coop comments on the use of Lot 8b. All in favor, 5-0. Music in the Park Community Development Director Turnblad stated that Woody McBride, Genius of Fun Event Production, has submitted an event application for Music in the Park 2018. It would be a series of concerts at the Lowell Park amphitheater on 12 consecutive Sundays during the summer, June 3 to August 26, except for the Sunday during Lumberjack Days (July 22). Setup would begin at 10:30 a.m., live music would be played from noon until 2:30 p.m. and clean up would occur from 2:30 to 3:30 p.m. Vendors and sponsors would set up 10 ft x 10 ft tents along the east side of the trail between Lots 9 and 5. Mr. McBride would like to reserve six parking spaces in Lot 9 for the event organizers and musicians, between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. While staff finds the request for six spaces to be reasonable, staff would prefer that the reserved spaces be in Lot 5, which has only one access point, and is much smaller and easier to control than Lot 9. Staff recommends approving the reservation of all seven spaces in Lot 5 at a fee of $21 per event date. Chairwoman Pelletier said she doesn’t feel the spaces are needed and that downtown businesses are tired of giving up parking to events. Commissioner Hopfe stated that Mr. McBride attended an IBA meeting a few weeks ago and his narrative changed during the meeting in terms of number of vendors and other requests. Downtown Parking Commission November 16, 2017 Page 3 of 3 Councilmember Junker said he thought the idea was nice but not for 12 consecutive Sundays. He suggested one concert per month. Community Development Director Turnblad told the Commission that staff had recommended the use of the Pioneer Park bandshell, but the Parks Commission recommended the event be held at the amphitheater. He acknowledged that Mr. McBride could buy parking passes for the musicians and they could park in permit lots anywhere. Motion by Chairwoman Pelletier, seconded by Commissioner Hopfe, to deny the request by Woody McBride, Genius of Fun Event Production, to reserve parking spaces as requested. Chairwoman Pelletier amended the motion to stipulate that if the amphitheater floods, the alternate concert venue must not be in a public parking lot. Commissioner Hopfe agreed to the amendment. All in favor, 5-0. NEW BUSINESS Mills on Main parking request Community Development Director Turnblad stated that Cameron Murray, representing Mills on Main residents, would like the City to designate the first on-street parking space north of the residents’ garage entrance for a standard vehicle only, no trucks, vans or larger vehicles. Motion by Commissioner Anderson, seconded by Commissioner Lettner, to deny the request of Mills on Main to designate the first on-street parking space north of the residents’ garage entrance as a space for a standard vehicle only. All in favor, 5-0. Striping additional on-street spaces Community Development Director presented a bid of $400 for the striping of additional on- street parking spaces on the east side of Third Street at Chestnut and the east side of Main Street. The striping is temperature-dependent and may be done in the spring. CONTINUING BUSINESS Parking Enterprise Fund - YTD Community Development Director Turnblad provided information on the Parking Enterprise Fund. He pointed out a decrease in revenue correlating to frequent closing of the lots. Commissioners asked for a quarterly update on the fund, to include year to date information. UPDATES Life Bridge conversion project staging area