Parking Commission - October 31, 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, October 31, 2019.
The Parking Commissioners present or absent were as follows:
Present: Chair Mike Williams, Brian Hayer, Jay Krabbenhoft, Austin Morris
Absent: Randy Thorson
Chairperson Williams called the meeting to order.
Chairperson Williams introduced new Board Member Austin Morris.
Item 1: Approve Order of Agenda
Member Hayer 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 Meetings of May 30, 2019 and July 25, 2019
Member Hayer moved the minutes of the May 30, 2019 and July 25, 2019 Parking Commission meetings be approved. Second by Member Krabbenhoft. All Members present voted aye and the motion was declared carried.
Item 3: Interstate Parking Report/Financial Data
a. September 2019
Paul Schnettler, Interstate Parking (IP), presented the September financial and operation reports.
Fargo Operations Manager Vanessa Hernandez provided an update on the downtown overnight parking enforcement implemented on October 1.
Discussion was held regarding promoting public awareness of the city-wide on-street winter parking regulations that go into effect on November 1, and making sure all on-street signage is current.
Item 4: Staff Reports
a. Approve Parking Rates for 2020 and 2021
Director of Planning and Development Nicole Crutchfield presented the proposed rates on behalf of Jim Gilmour, Director of Strategic Planning and Research. She reviewed staff’s strategies used to determine the rates. Ms. Crutchfield requested the Board’s approval to present the rate changes for 2020 and 2021 before the City Commission.
Discussion was held on how these rates compared to other cities the size of Fargo, and to keep the Island Park Ramp at its current rate of $59.
Member Hayer moved to approve the rates and keep the Island Park Ramp at $59 as proposed. Second by Member Morris. All Members present voted aye and the motion was declared carried.
b. Island Park Ramp – Shuttle and Group Rate
Ms. Crutchfield reported this item is no longer an option. Bushel (formerly Myriad Mobile) expressed interest in leasing parking spaces in the Island Park Ramp and operating a shuttle service to their location. She stated they informed staff yesterday this idea will not work for their needs.
c. Projects and Outreach Items
Ms. Crutchfield presented information on the following items:
• She noted the City conducted an ADA (American with Disabilities Act) assessment of Island Park Ramp by consulting with the City’s Inspections Department. Ms. Crutchfield stated staff plans to consult with an architect or engineer to prepare a design solution, and get bids for necessary improvements including sidewalk and access at the pedestrian doors.
• She reported last month City staff and interested business owners met to discuss Broadway benches and policing difficulties in the downtown area. She said included in the discussion was the need for public outreach and open houses in conjunction with City Planning, Downtown Parking, and the DCP (Downtown Community Partnership), to further coordinate parking improvements and other downtown activities.
• She referred to a draft of bylaws included in the packet for the Parking Commission. Ms. Crutchfield asked the Board to review the document for further discussion at the next meeting.
• She stated staff is working on a contract update with Interstate Parking and a draft will be presented at the next meeting.
Member Morris absent.
Item 5: Other Business
No other business was discussed.
Member Krabbenhoft moved to adjourn the meeting at 9:45 a.m. Second by Member Hayer. All Members present voted aye and the motion was declared carried.