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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2021-03-08 DTPC MIN - Special Meeting DOWNTOWN PARKING COMMISSION SPECIAL MEETING March 8, 2021 Chair McAllister called the meeting to order at 7:02 p.m. Present: Chair McAllister; Commissioners Anderson, Glynn, Hopfe (arrived later), Johnson and LePage; Council Liaison Junker Absent: Commissioner Lettner Staff present: Community Development Director Turnblad, Police Chief Mueller NEW BUSINESS Parking Capacity Work Plan Community Development Director Turnblad stated his memo includes a draft work plan for implementation of the nine strategies identified in the capacity study. The Commission is requested to discuss the draft and point out items that need to be changed. Mr. Turnblad explained the draft work plan which outlines the strategies and the estimated resources it would take to complete the task. Mr. Turnblad stated that any projects that cost money in 2021, has not been budgeted for. Therefore, many of the projects listed for 2021 are ones that don’t take a lot of monetary resources, but instead staff time. Any projects they wish to see for 2022, will need to be budgeted. Nothing is currently in the budget. Commissioner Glen stated that the project ‘way finding and signage,’ would involve a lot of other agencies and their time. Mr. Turnblad agreed and added that signage is an important factor to businesses especially downtown, so getting their input in that project is important and would take a good amount of staff hours. Commissioner McAllister asked for clarification regarding budgeting. She asked if that would be separate from the revenue from the Parking system. Mr. Turnblad stated all revenue from the parking system, ramps, lots, etc. are the only available money for these projects. He added if it is decided to build a new parking ramp, it would take require funds outside of the revenue of the parking system. Commissioner McAllister stated that due to COVID, the revenue from the parking system has been impacted and that should be taken into consideration during these discussions. Mr. Turnblad agreed and mentioned they have a healthy parking enterprise fund, and this year will complete the last parking rehab project. Those parking lots should last for years. The City is in a good condition to proceed with projects. Downtown Parking Commission Special Meeting March 8, 2021 Page 2 of 3 Commissioner Anderson asked about monetary values for each project. He stated that many of these projects are somewhat interlinked. Mr. Turnblad explained in the next step City Staff will dig deeper to determine how much each project would cost. There hasn’t been updating to the City Parking Ordinances in many years and that would be a large project. Chief Brian Mueller addressed Strategy 4 and his concerns for that project. He feels that project would warrant a larger conversation at a different time. Councilmember Junker agreed and commented that due to COVID, requirements and enforcement have eased to encourage the public engagement in the city. He asked if the parking enterprise fund paid for the “Shorty’s project.” Mr. Turnblad clarified that it did not pay to remove the structure but it did pay for lot surface work. He gave background into how the topic of license plate readers came about. Chief Mueller stated he can understand the static cameras; however, he would like to get more officers Downtown to engage with the community. Commissioner Glen stated if parking requirements are changed, then enforcement would need to go hand in hand to enforce those changes. Commissioner McAllister stated all pay lots should be the same price and use the same enforcement software. “One price, one tool” would simplify things for visitors. She agreed that until they are ready with the software, they shouldn’t make any changes. Commissioner Anderson expressed interest in shifting the 2020 task for Strategy 8 into 2022. And as this strategy is implanted, the first step should be to create a single revenue system in the parking ramp and pay lots. Perhaps the first step is taken in 2022. The second step should be a single fee structure for the surface pay lots. So in 2023, raising the rate in Lot 2 to $5 should be considered. Commissioner Anderson said the title for Strategy 4 should be changed from “enforcement and technology” to simply “enforcement”. It would be preferred if technology did not replace people and the possible positive interaction from that. Specifically, automated license plate recognition systems can create suspicion in the community. Furthermore, he asked if changing the time limits for main street needs to be approved by Council. Commissioner LePage agreed changing the main street time limits makes sense and needs to be addressed. Councilmember Junker stated the idea of changing the time limits was not received well by the Council, but it should be revised. Commissioner Hopfe commented that the public utilizing the retail stores downtown would need longer parking times, and she wouldn’t want to see it go lower than 2 hours. Shopping and eating during the summer months would take longer than 2 hours. It is a seasonal demand as well. Commissioners discussed that due to COVID the city has implemented quick turnaround time parking for takeout and order pick up. Additionally, temporary outside seating on the main street took up a large section of parking. Perhaps now is the time to implement. Downtown Parking Commission Special Meeting March 8, 2021 Page 3 of 3 Commissioner McAllister and Junker mentioned there needs to be better dialogue, discussion points and education behind the discussion of changing time limits on parking. Chair McAllister suggested that a tenth strategy should be added and that should be “communication”. It is very important to include businesses and the broader community involved in the planning discussions as well as sharing changes as they occur. This strategy has to be employed throughout the life of the work plan. Commissioner Hopfe brought up the fact that many of the public park downtown and utilize the biking and walking paths. A large number of cars and many of the downtown restaurants are not open yet. She wonders what the upcoming years will be like with the new trails opening. Commissioner Johnson summarized the commissions discussion about pursuing and drafting this work plan in the future. 1) The first priority is to address time limit change on Main Street. This is key to the parking pattern shifts that will be needed to increase parking capacity with our existing infrastructure. 2) Communication and public outreach are critical to enable the changes in use patterns need to increase capacity. 3) Creating a well-crafted set of talking points is important so we are all clear on our message and so the message heard by the Council and the community is consistent and compelling. Mr. Turnblad will revise the first two years of the work plan consistent with the discussion and if time permits, put it on the March 18 regular Commission meeting. ADJOURNMENT Motion by Commissioner Lepage, seconded by Commissioner Johnson to adjourn. All in favor. The meeting was adjourned at 8:21 p.m. Heidi McAllister, Chair ATTEST: Bill Turnblad, Community Development Director