Parking Commission - April 25, 2019 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, April 25, 2019.
The Parking Commissioners present or absent were as follows:
Present: Chairperson Mike Williams, Margie Bailly, Randy Thorson,
Absent: Brian Hayer, Jay Krabbenhoft
Chairperson Williams called the meeting to order.
Item 1: Approve Order of Agenda
Member Bailly moved the Order of Agenda be approved as presented. Second by Member Thorson. All Members present voted aye and the motion was declared carried.
Before proceeding to item 2, Member Thorson asked about updates regarding item 5 from the February 28 meeting, pertaining to discussion about phone calls staff received regarding concerning parking issues due to placement of dumpsters and equipment for existing downtown construction. Member Bailly shared how staff addressed calls about a dumpster placed near the Fargo Theater, and commended staff on their quick action to resolve the issue.
Item 2: Minutes: Regular Meeting of February 28, 2019
Member Thorson moved the minutes of the February 28, 2019 Parking Commission meeting be approved. Second by Member Bailly. All Members present voted aye and the motion was declared carried.
Item 3: Interstate Report/Financial Data
Paul Schnettler, Interstate Parking (IP), presented the February and March 2019 financial and operation reports. He noted an increase in the monthly revenue for the ROCO Parking Garage for transient/short-term parking transactions, coinciding with heavy snowfall received during this time period.
The Board talked about the positive changes in downtown parking that have evolved over the years including additional signage, parking policies made readily available to the public, and the City’s decision to contract parking management with Interstate Parking Company.
Mr. Schnettler referred to a handout submitted to the Board reviewing the revenue history for the downtown City-owned parking facilities for the years 2015-2018.
Ms. Hernandez presented an update regarding spring cleaning, lot striping, and other maintenance of the downtown parking facilities.
Chair Williams introduced Jerry Christiansen, Freedom Resource Center Accessibility Specialist, who offered his assistance to staff regarding lot striping, etc. of the designated handicap parking spots in the downtown area.
Item 4: Construction Closings and Communications
Planning Director Nicole Crutchfield shared that engineering staff Kevin Gorder and Kristy Schmidt are working with the City Attorney’s Office to review and update the City’s existing policies regarding this item.
Further discussion ensued including input from the Downtown Community Partnership (DCP) President Melissa Rademacher, and IP’s Ms. Hernandez regarding their concerns about downtown construction, street closings, and placement of construction equipment. Ms. Hernandez noted that her staff is not always alerted in advance of the dates of these closings, etc. Ms. Rademacher added DCP and City staff hold monthly meetings to discuss and provide updates on these existing and future closings, etc. affecting the downtown area.
Chair Williams also noted that Interstate Parking, DCP, and the BID will be moving to the former offices of the City Commission and Human Resource in the near future.
Item 5: Update on Downtown Projects
a. Block 9
Rusty Papachek, Owner Representative/Project Manager for R.D. Offutt Company, presented an update. He stated the anticipated opening date for public and permit parking in the parking ramp will be August 1, 2019, with the completion of the adjoining building/tower targeted for some time in 2020.
Upon discussion by the Board, Mr. Schnettler clarified that IP is not managing this new parking ramp; however, this ramp will follow the existing free parking after 5:00 p.m. schedule as other downtown city-owned parking facilities. Mr. Schnettler also shared his positive experiences working at facilities constructed with pre-fab materials.
b. 4th Avenue and Broadway
Ms. Crutchfield presented on behalf of Director of Strategic Planning and Research Jim Gilmour. She shared that Mr. Gilmour and Finance Director Kent Costin are working on the financial strategies for the Mercantile Parking Garage, and have met with the City’s Financial Advisors Baker Tilly regarding options to sell bonds for this project.
Ms. Crutchfield also stated that Mr. Gilmour is working with the owners of Island Park Cycles and the Bison Block Building regarding current access and easement issues.
Item 6: Discuss Uniform Night Time Parking Enforcement
Chair Williams introduced this item for discussion, and submitted a document of the existing policies that are published on the City’s website. He noted concerns he has received of there not being adequate staff available to monitor and enforce the downtown night time parking regulations.
Ms. Crutchfield stated that staff is working on researching the cost and will be seeking quotes to provide this service in the future.
The Board further discussed Interstate Parking providing this service; improving the downtown emergency snow removal process; further review of existing downtown night parking polices by the Board and the DCP for discussion at the next Parking Commission meeting; utilizing a phone text warning process between downtown businesses, City staff, and residents providing updates about road/sidewalk conditions downtown; review all parking options available with completion of future downtown parking garages; and the importance of being proactive addressing these issues before weather related emergency events happen.
Item 7: Mobility Matters Forum, May 22, 2019
Chair Williams announced this Forum will be held at the downtown Fargo Public Library on May 22 from 9:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., showcasing all of the City’s available options for travel in the downtown area, along with other ideas that could be added in the future.
Board discussion focused on the importance of advertising to promote this event to all city-wide.
Item 8: Other Business
Chair Williams shared a recent picture of the construction progress on the Block 9 parking ramp.
Member Thorson requested staff share each meeting’s agenda with the Board in advance for review and the option to add items as needed before the agenda is finalized.
Member Bailly moved to adjourn the meeting at 9:54 a.m. Second by Member Thorson. All Members present voted aye and the motion was declared carried.