Parking Commission - December 20, 2018 Minutes
The Regular Meeting of the Board of Parking Commissioners of the City of Fargo, North Dakota, was held in the City Commission Room at City Hall at 9:00 a.m., Thursday, December 20, 2018.
The Parking Commissioners present or absent were as follows:
Present: Chairperson Mike Williams, Margie Bailly, Brian Hayer, Randy Thorson, Jay Krabbenhoft
Absent: None
Chairperson Williams called the meeting to order.
Item 1: Approve Order of Agenda
Member Thorson moved the Order of Agenda be approved as presented. Second by Member Hayer. All Members present voted aye and the motion was declared carried.
Item 2: Minutes: Regular Meeting of October 25, 2018
Member Bailly moved the minutes of the October 25, 2018 Parking Commission meeting be approved. Second by Member Thorson. All Members present voted aye and the motion was declared carried.
Item 3: Welcome New Parking Manager
Chair Williams introduced Vanessa Hernandez as the new Interim Parking Manager for Interstate Parking.
Item 4: October Financial and Operations Report
Paul Schnettler, Interstate Parking, reviewed the October and November 2018 financial and operations reports. He provided an update on parking lot crack repairs that were not completed and noted they will be sealed in the spring. The Board discussed the importance of completing the sealing repairs.
Item 5: November Financial and Operations Report
Heard with Item 4
Item 6: Discuss Schedule, Content, and Participants of January Parking Retreat
Director of Strategic Planning and Research Jim Gilmour shared that the main topics to be discussed at the upcoming Parking Retreat include locations for future parking facilities, monthly parking availability, and future plans of additional public/private partnerships. He also suggested reviewing the organization of the Parking Commission and discussing adding additional people to the table and other interactive meeting opportunities.
City Commissioner Dave Piepkorn stated that he would also like to discuss online parking management and the capabilities to grow with new technologies to assist with future parking needs.
The Board discussed looking at the past parking study and Downtown Master Plan, integration with other City departments, and making the most from work that has already been done.
Discussion continued on possible dates, location, and time to hold the retreat.
Item 7: Construction Concerns from Retailers
City Traffic Engineer Jeremy Gordon spoke on behalf of the Engineering Department. He noted that Kristy Schmidt from the Engineering Department is the downtown liaison and has been working on agreements with downtown contractors regarding closure timelines.
The Board discussed how communication could be improved between downtown retailers, contractors, and the City regarding sidewalk and street closures due to construction. Improved and more frequent notifications to downtown businesses was noted as a priority.
Discussion continued regarding the Main Avenue reconstruction project scheduled to begin in the Spring of 2019. Mr. Gordon noted that the contractors have been given a maximum number of days that major intersections can be closed.
Commissioner Piepkorn stated that this project should be done as quickly and efficiently as possible. He noted that this street has not been redone in over 100 years, so there is a major concern that the project be done well.
The Board continued discussion on future development projects.
Item 8: ROCO Smart Energy Ramp Update
Chair Williams shared that the Smart Energy Project was confirmed in November 2018. He noted the project will start with smart chargers and add lighting controls over the next 6-8 months.
Item 9: Other Business
Discussion was held on parking time limits surrounding 225 4th Avenue North. Mr. Gilmour noted that this issue has been delegated to the Planning Department to address.
Assistant Planning Director Mark Williams addressed that the on and off-street parking fines were tabled at the last meeting. City Auditor Steve Sprague noted that the Passport parking system is ready to be used, but that the fine rates need to be established in order to upload into the system.
Discussion was held on the increase of a second late fee, the rates of on-street versus off-street parking violations, and the amount of downtown construction affecting downtown parking.
Member Bailly moved to approve the increase of on-street parking fees and the addition of a second late fee increase. Second by Member Thorson. All Members present voted nay and the motion failed.
The time at adjournment was 9:51 a.m.