Parking Commission - August 27, 2020 Minutes
The Regular Meeting of the Board of Parking Commissioners of the City of Fargo, North Dakota, was held in the Commission Chambers at City Hall at 9:00 a.m., Thursday, August 27, 2020.
The Parking Commissioners present or absent were as follows:
Present: Chair Mike Williams, Brian Hayer (via conference call), Randy Thorson, Jay Krabbenhoft, Austin Morris
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 Krabbenhoft. All Members present voted aye and the motion was declared carried.
Item 2: Minutes: Regular Meeting of January 30, 2020
Member Thorson moved the minutes of the January 30, 2020 Parking Commission meeting be approved. Second by Member Morris. All Members present voted aye and the motion was declared carried.
Item 3: Interstate Parking Report/Financial Data
a. January 2020 – July 2020
Fargo Operations Manager Vanessa Hernandez, Interstate Parking (IP), presented the January – July 2020 financial and operations reports.
Discussion was held concerning what impact the COVID-19 Pandemic has had on the downtown parking activity and revenue, and reviewing parking options and alternatives to help accommodate contract parkers whose working schedules have changed due to the pandemic.
Item 4: Hourly Rates at Mercantile Parking Garage: APPROVED
Assistant Director of Planning and Development Mark Williams presented staff’s recommendations for this item. Mr. Williams requested the Board’s approval to present the proposal before the City Commission.
Discussion was held on the following: current issues at Roberts Commons Garage (ROCO) regarding customers violating the City’s re-parking ordinance; safety concerns with younger residents using the top floor as a place to hang out; existing technology that may help prevent these issues; and what impact the proposed parking changes may have on customers.
Melissa Brandt, President of the Downtown Community Partnership (DCP), shared her perspective on the downtown parking challenges prior to the pandemic and currently. She shared her concerns on the effect the pandemic has had to the downtown area and businesses. She also addressed Chair Williams question on public feedback regarding the ROCO Garage, stating that many are not aware of the restaurants and retail businesses surrounding this facility. Ms. Brandt would like to see more marketing and incentives offered to encourage people to visit the downtown area.
Discussion continued regarding the layout and parking options of the Mercantile Parking Garage, and ideas to attract the public to spend time in the downtown area as they did before the pandemic began.
Member Thorson moved approval be recommended to the City Commission to discontinue the two-hour free parking at ROCO Garage to go into effect when the Mercantile Parking Garage opens, for a test period of time to be determined. Second by Member Krabbenhoft.
Further discussion was held.
Member Thorson amended his original motion to state that approval be recommended to the City Commission of the following proposals for the ROCO Garage and Mercantile Parking Garage, commencing with the opening of the Mercantile Parking Garage to 1) discontinue the two-hour free parking for a test period of time to be determined, and 2) implement the $1.50 per hour fee for parking, and all-day parking to be capped at $8.00. Second by Member Krabbenhoft.
Additional discussion was held.
Members Thorson, Krabbenhoft, and Williams voted aye. Members Morris and Hayer voted nay. The motion was declared carried.
Item 5: Citations and Collections: APPROVED
Paul Schnettler, IP, reviewed the document submitted to the Board and staff’s recommendations. He talked about the increasing number of uncollected citation fees, and identified issues that have happened over time. Mr. Schnettler is requesting the Board’s approval to present the proposal before the City Commission.
Discussion was held concerning the existing issues, how they are tracked, and allowing only one welcome citation per lifetime for parking violations.
Member Thorson moved approval be recommended to the City Commission to change the six-month welcome citation to one in a lifetime, and change the citation verbiage to state that uncollected citations will be subject to a $50 service fee and to utilize a collection agency for those that are past due. Second by Member Krabbenhoft. All Members present voted aye and the motion was declared carried.
Item 6: Assessment of Post Tensioned Reinforcement Tendons at the Civic Center Ramp
Director of Strategic Planning and Research Jim Gilmour presented this item and shared a photo of the damaged area. He noted an inspection and assessment is currently being completed by Walker Consultants and their subcontractors Western Specialty Contractors. Mr. Gilmour stated he will keep the Board informed on the final assessment and cost.
Discussion was held concerning the damage, the importance of proper maintenance, and other preventative measures that could be utilized in all City-owned parking facilities.
Item 7: Staff Report
a. Sale of Main Avenue Lot
Mr. Gilmour reported that a request for bids will be issued for the sale of the Main Avenue Lot. He noted the sale of this lot was part of the financing plan for the soon-to-be opened Mercantile Parking Garage. Mr. Gilmour stated the request for bids will be brought before the City Commission for approval.
Further discussion was held clarifying how the funds received from the sale will be used.
Item 8: Other Business
Mr. Schnettler reported that Bank of the West has cancelled 100 contracted parking spaces at the Island Park Ramp as of the end of September. He shared he felt it was due to the pandemic with more employees working from home and less onsite staff. Ms. Hernandez added this will leave a total of 67 contracted parkers at the Island Park Ramp. She also noted that Bank of the West has their own parking facility for employees, and used the Island Park Ramp for additional parking.
Chair Williams shared an update regarding the installation of electric car chargers at the ROCO Garage available for use at the end of October.
Member Morris moved to adjourn the meeting at 10:08 a.m. Second by Member Thorson. All Members present voted aye and the motion was declared carried.