Parking Commission - January 30, 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, January 30, 2020.
The Parking Commissioners present or absent were as follows:
Present: Chair Mike Williams, Brian Hayer, Randy Thorson, Jay Krabbenhoft, Austin Morris
Absent: None
Chairperson Williams called the meeting to order.
Item 1: Approve Order of Agenda
Member Hayer moved the Order of Agenda be approved as presented. Second by Member Thorson. All Members present voted aye and the motion was declared carried.
Item 2: Minutes: Regular Meeting of November 21, 2019
Member Thorson moved the minutes of the November 21, 2019 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. November 2019
b. December 2019
Fargo Operations Manager Vanessa Hernandez, Interstate Parking (IP), presented the November and December 2019 financial and operation reports. Ms. Hernandez further reviewed the year-end revenues for 2019 in comparison to 2018.
Discussion was held regarding revenue projections for next year, and updates on the overnight enforcement of downtown parking since it went into effect on October 1, 2019.
Item 4: Request for Temporary Use of Parking Lot
a. Main Avenue Lot – Interstate Parking and the DCP
Ms. Hernandez reviewed the request from the Downtown Community Partnership (DCP), to utilize the Main Avenue Parking Lot during the 2020 Street Fair. She explained the lot would be used for a concert stage, and contract parkers would be temporarily relocated to the 4th Street Lot or the Island Park Ramp. Ms. Hernandez stated Interstate Parking is recommending to partner with the DCP and allow the use of the Main Avenue lot on July 18-19, 2020.
Upon questions from Member Thorson, DCP Event Coordinator Katelin Madsen clarified that the DCP does have the proper licensing and insurance in place to serve alcohol at this site. She also explained the plans in place for alternative parking sites during the event to accommodate contract parking customers who utilize the Main Avenue Lot.
Additional discussion included the layout and setup of the stage in the lot, and utilizing the FM Link shuttle along with promoting other parking options for public use during this event.
Member Thorson moved to approve the request for temporary use of the Main Avenue Parking Lot during the 2020 Street Fair. Second by Member Morris. All Members present voted aye and the motion was declared carried.
Item 5: Mercantile Parking Garage
a. City Commission Approvals
b. Results of Loan & Bond Sales and Long Term Income & Debt Projections
Director of Strategic Planning and Research Jim Gilmour reported on the status of the project. He referred to the packet information presented at the October 7, 2019 City Commission meeting, and summarized the items approved and pending. Mr. Gilmour also reviewed the financial projections report submitted to the Board for the years 2021 through 2046.
Discussion was held regarding the following: status on purchase of the land Island Park Ramp is built on; further review of the 2019 year-end revenues as stated in IP’s reports in relation to projected revenues; future parking rate increases; and reevaluation of parking trends and options as new facilities open.
Item 6: Staff Report
Director of Planning and Development Nicole Crutchfield presented the following items.
a. Interstate Parking Contract Amendment
Ms. Crutchfield stated staff is close to final coordination of a contract with Interstate Parking. She reviewed the contract, the proposed amendments, and noted a draft has been submitted to the City’s Finance Committee before presenting to the City Commission for final approval.
b. State of Downtown: Parking Open House
Ms. Crutchfield talked about this event and the flyer submitted to the Board. She stated this event is a collaboration between the Planning Department, Downtown Community Partnership (DCP), and Interstate Parking (IP).
Discussion followed regarding the upcoming open house, and further research of resources available to assist the public to find downtown parking options - such as cell phone apps.
c. Ground Transportation Center (GTC) Update
Ms. Crutchfield reported on the status of repairs needed at the GTC. She noted KLJ is the construction management coordinator working with staff on this project.
d. Signage Update
Ms. Crutchfield talked about updated signage to be placed along 3rd Avenue North between 4th Street and the alleyway, implementing 4-hour parking. She stated with the move of the Police Department and the former Fargo Cass Public Health from their 4th Street locations, downtown visitors will soon be able to utilize this area for parking.
Item 7: Other Business
No other business was discussed.
Member Morris moved to adjourn the meeting at 9:57 a.m. Second by Member Thorson. All Members present voted aye and the motion was declared carried.