Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout2015-03-19 DTPC MIN DOWNTOWN PARKING COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES March 19, 2015 REGULAR MEETING Chairwoman Pelletier called the meeting to order at 8:36 a.m. Present: Chair Pelletier, Commissioners Anderson, Helmberger, Johnson, Lettner, Council Representative Junker Absent: Commissioner Hopfe Staff: Community Development Director Turnblad, Police Chief Gannaway APPROVAL OF AGENDA Motion by Commissioner Johnson, seconded by Commissioner Helmberger, to approve the agenda. All in favor, 5-0. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Motion by Commissioner Johnson, seconded by Commissioner Helmberger, to approve the February 19, 2015 meeting minutes. All in favor, 5-0. NEW BUSINESS Adoption of 2015 Parking Maps Community Development Director Turnblad explained the two versions of the parking maps for 2015: 1) the map used for the public and 2) the working map used for planning and events purposes. On the maps, the 24-hour lots have been identified as 18-hour lots to make it clear that overnight parking is prohibited. Mulberry Point Yacht Harbor slip owners park in Lot 11 but the City has no contractual obligation to provide the slip owners free parking. The Council voted to allow the purchase of downtown resident parking permits by people who own boat slips downtown. Staff recommends allowing Lots 10 and 11 to be used as downtown residential parking permit lots. Rob Dombrowsky, marina slip owner, said he has been a slip owner since 1993 when there was more than ample parking everywhere. The old parking area contained 300 parking spots. The marina once had a purchase agreement on the railroad property, but its Board of Directors was opposed to the purchase and the City told the marina if it is purchased, it will be taken away by eminent domain. The marina was told it would always be taken into consideration for parking, yet the marina wasn’t considered when the new bike path went through. It is getting more and more difficult to park. Slip owners cringe whenever there is an Downtown Parking Commission March 19, 2015 Page 2 of 4 event downtown because they have to scramble for all the parking they can get. They have tried to be really good neighbors and not cause trouble. Council Representative Junker countered that there were never that many parking spots there. In Lots 10 and 11 there are now almost 100 designated spots. There is more designated parking from Mulberry north than there has even been. The agreement stated the City will always provide parking on the north end but did not designate a number of spots. Mr. Dombrowsky stated when there are events, the whole lot often is closed to parking and used for police coordination. He understands the need for a coordination area, but feels as though the Mulberry Point Yacht Harbor people don’t seem to count or matter. Council Representative Junker noted the City has heard from numerous people in the last two months and their voices have been heard. Boaters may buy a resident pass and park in Lots 10 and 11. Mr. Dombrowsky remarked he wants to make sure that the slip owners have a reasonable way to secure parking that isn’t prohibitively expensive. When events come in, they’re the ones that lose parking. Community Development Director Turnblad added that the marina’s Special Use Permit requires that “X” number of spaces have to be provided. Over the years, the number of spaces has been whittled away because unauthorized uses continue to occur on the marina property. There is sufficient parking there. $20 for a parking permit is not unreasonable. Mr. Dombrowsky stated there are 157 owned slips there - plus another 200 counting dry stackers and rentals. The marina itself is supposed to guarantee 157 parking spots. The yacht owners are upset with the marina as well. Commissioner Anderson encouraged yacht owners to make their voices heard when there are events, and to discuss their parking issues with the marina. If Lots 10 and 11 become permit lots, perhaps the permit cost should be part of the association dues paid to the marina. Commission consensus was that the 24-hour lots should be noted that way on the official maps, rather than as 18-hour lots. A note should be made on the maps that no overnight parking is allowed, except with a 24/7 downtown resident pass. Motion by Commissioner Johnson, seconded by Commissioner Anderson, to approve both maps, with the 24-hour notation change. All in favor, 5-0. Time Limit for Parking on Main Chair Pelletier said she feels there should be no charge for parking on Main Street. Commissioner Anderson suggested there be a stepped-up enforcement zone on Main Street. Downtown Parking Commission March 19, 2015 Page 3 of 4 Police Chief Gannaway recommended waiting until the new bridge is built to revisit the issue. Community Development Director Turnblad pointed out the question was a response to a number of comments from business owners last month. The Commission by consensus decided not to change the three-hour limit on Main Street. Community Development Director Turnblad noted that in March, the City Council approved three of the four recommended changes for 2015 parking rates. The Council felt out of fairness, if downtown resident parking permits are increased to $20, downtown business parking permits also should increase to $20. Council Representative Junker added that the Council wants to make sure the parking program is self sufficient. Chair Pelletier said she feels the business parking permit cost should be kept at $15. Commissioner Anderson asked why the 8-hour business permit should cost the same as the 24/7 resident parking permit. Council Representative Junker replied the resident permit cost at $10 was very cheap. Now it will be $20. During parking open forums, business owners stated they were willing to shoulder some of the cost so the rest of the lots would be freed up for customers. Commissioner Anderson said he was OK with the $20 cost for a business parking permit. Motion by Commissioner __________, seconded by Commissioner __________, to recommend increasing the business parking permit cost to $20. Motion passed 3-2 with Commissioners ____________ and Lettner voting against. Brown’s Creek Trail Grand Opening Community Development Director Turnblad explained that the City and the DNR would like to reserve Lot 12 on Saturday, June 6 for a grand opening for the Brown’s Creek Trail. Set- up will be Friday and take-down Monday. More details will be forthcoming. The Commission should decide whether the posted fee should be charged. Motion by Commissioner Lettner, seconded by Chair Pelletier, to charge the standard fee for reservation of Lot 12 to hold the Grand Opening Event for Brown’s Creek Trail. Motion passed 4-1, with Commissioner Anderson voting against, because the City designated Lot 12 as the trailhead parking lot. Commissioner Lettner rescinded his motion. Chair Pelletier rescinded her second. Downtown Parking Commission March 19, 2015 Page 4 of 4 Motion by Chair Pelletier, seconded by Commissioner Anderson, to not charge for the reservation of Lot 12, since it is the designated trailhead parking lot. Motion passed 4-1, with Commissioner Johnson voting against. OTHER BUSINESS There was no other business. ADJOURNMENT Chairwoman Pelletier adjourned the meeting at 9:30 a.m. Respectfully Submitted, Julie Kink, Recording Secretary