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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2020-06-18 DTPC MIN DOWNTOWN PARKING COMMISSION MEETING June 18, 2020 Chairman Anderson called the meeting to order at 8:30 a.m. Present: Chairman Anderson, Commissioners Glynn, LePage, Lettner, McAllister, Council Liaison Junker Absent: Commissioners Hopfe, Johnson Staff present: City Clerk Wolf, Community Development Director Turnblad, Zoning Administrator Tait, Parking Enforcement Officer Pasket APPROVAL OF MINUTES Possible approval of minutes of May 21, 2020 meeting Motion by Commissioner Glynn, seconded by Commissioner McAllister, to approve the May 21, 2020 meeting minutes. All in favor. ELECTION OF OFFICERS Motion by Chairman Anderson, seconded by Commissioner Glynn, to appoint McAllister as Chair and Anderson as Vice Chair. All in favor. OPEN FORUM There were no public comments. NEW BUSINESS There was no new business. UNFINISHED BUSINESS EV charging station Community Development Director Turnblad led discussion on electric vehicle charging stations. Last month the Commission tabled a request by Don Schuld of Stillwater Sunrise Rotary Club and Kevin Tholen of Sustainable Stillwater, to partner with them to install a public Electric Vehicle (EV) charging station downtown. Staff was directed to look at installing one dual port station on the fourth level of the parking ramp. The $30,000+ cost estimate makes that location unrealistic. Installing a station on the first level of the parking ramp instead (Option 1) would cost about $7,000. Mr. Turnblad reviewed three other alternative locations suggested by Mr. Tholen. Option 2 would be a spot at the southern end of Lot 4. However that spot will be reconstructed and is no longer an option. Option 3 would be on the west side of Water Street adjacent to the Commercial Street Plaza restroom. The challenge with this site is that Water Street is too narrow for parking on both sides of the street. Therefore this location is not recommended by staff. Option 4 would be along the drive aisle serving Lots 8 and 9. Staff feels this location would work only for a single port station and therefore recommends that the Commission instead pursue a dual port station in the first level of the parking ramp. Mr. Tholen asked if another spot could be incorporated into Option 4, providing a dual port station. Mr. Turnblad replied the space is large enough but it would change the travel lane and create a confusing drive aisle with an “s” curve. Downtown Parking Commission Meeting June 18, 2020 Page 2 of 6 Commissioner Glynn added that for downtown events, that drive is closed off which defeats the purpose. He agreed with staff that the lower level of the ramp is the best location. He also cited the recent parking study advising that the Commission seek ways to encourage parking further away from the river lots. Mr. Turnblad informed the Commission that a question came in from a viewer asking what if someone pays to get in the ramp and finds both ports are being used? He explained that ramp users have a 10 minute grace period to get in/out before the system actually charges. Commissioner McAllister suggested that should be signed somehow so users are aware of it. Mr. Turnblad noted that due to COVID-19, the Sunrise Rotary Club’s annual fundraiser, which was to help fund this project, is in question so it may be a while before the charging station can be installed. Councilmember Junker asked if there should be a certain color scheme for signage of the EV stations. Mr. Tholen replied that the State of Minnesota is building out infrastructure for EV charging stations across the State. He suggested that the City use the State’s sign scheme. Regarding funding, he said that Porsche in Maplewood previously indicated a desire to help fund the charging station if they could put their brand on it. He is following up on this but recognized that car dealerships are hurting right now. Mr. Turnblad noted that the City has shied away from commercial endorsements and would probably opt to pay for the charging station if that was the only option. An electric vehicle user (did not give name or address) who works at a downtown firm and parks in Lot 8a expressed disappointment that he has not been able to find any charging stations. He noted there are many under-utilized parking spaces downtown that are right next to transformers. A dryer plug is very inexpensive to install and could be used as a temporary measure to gauge the demand and assess whether it is worth the investment of installing a station in the parking ramp. Consensus of the commission was to proceed with the proposal for a dual port on the first level of the ramp. UPDATES COVID-19 programs related to Downtown Parking System Mr. Turnblad reviewed recent City Council actions taken to assist businesses during the COVID pandemic. Some of those decisions have related to the downtown parking system, both public and private. He showed the spaces that are permitted to be used for takeout areas and outdoor seating areas. Additionally, through the end of June, the Council has offered free parking in the parking ramp, surface lots and (during weekdays) Lots 1 and 2. Parking mitigation fees have not been invoiced for the last two quarters. The Council recently extended the free parking until July 7 and asks that the Commission provide a recommendation for further extending the free parking. He provided a summary of which parking spaces are being tied up with COVID programs. A total of 78 of 468 total public parking spaces are dedicated to outdoor seating. Four private parking lots are totally or partially used for business as well. He added that the parking enterprise fund is solid enough that free parking may continue for the summer without impacting salaries or operating expenses. Councilmember Junker pointed out that effective June 1 the City is charging in Lots 1 and 2 from Thursday night through Sunday. He has talked to many downtown business owners and received positive feedback about the outdoor seating areas but there are also inconveniences for garbage trucks and delivery trucks. Commissioner McAllister asked if there has been feedback from retail business owners. Councilmember Junker replied he has heard very little from retailers. A number of retailers are doing well. Mr. Turnblad added that on streets other than Main Street, the City offered the ability to do outside sales to any group that wanted to do that. Only one retailer chose to do so. Downtown Parking Commission Meeting June 18, 2020 Page 3 of 3 Commissioner McAllister encouraged the Commission, in considering pandemic-related choices, to also consider the information in the parking study in determining an overall strategy for 2020 and figuring out a comprehensive plan for rolling out the parking changes. Chairman Anderson said he understands the need to consider the broader picture but he does not want to saddle this process with a detailed discussion about future parking strategy. Extending the current use of outdoor spaces and free parking has little financial impact to the City right now and businesses are still hurting so he feels the City should stay status quo for the next 30 or 60 days. Commissioner McAllister agreed but feels the Commission should consider both conversations together. Parking Enforcement Officer Pasket commented that staff is not enforcing time-limited hourly parking, only ticketing for illegal parking. Motion by Commissioner Glynn, seconded by Commissioner Lettner, to extend the current parking program through August unless otherwise changed by the City Council. All in favor. ADJOURNMENT Motion by Commissioner Lettner, seconded by Chairman Anderson, to adjourn the meeting at 9:29 a.m. All in favor. Respectfully Submitted, Julie Kink, Recording Secretary Darin Anderson, Chair ATTEST: Beth Wolf, City Clerk