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HomeMy WebLinkAboutPKG_UTILITY_MINUTES_OCT_8-2008O1HKOIH ox 1xE wn~ OSHKOSH PARKING UTILITY COMMISSION MINUTES OCTOBER 8, 2008 PRESENT: Carol Schiessl, Presiding; Dennis McHugh and Jay Ratchman ABSENT: Mary Murken and Jim Stapel STAFF: Christopher Strong, Transportation Director Jennifer Weigand, Recording Secretary CALL TO ORDER Acting Chairperson Schiessl called the meeting to order at 4:00 p.m. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Mr. McHugh moved to accept the September 10, 2008 minutes. Mr. Ratchman seconded the motion. Motion carried unanimously. OLD BUSINESS 1. A DISCUSSION ON PARKING NEEDS FOR 100 NORTH MAIN STREET. This discussion followed up on a discussion at the September meeting of the Parking Utility Commission. Mr. Strong noted that the managers of 100 North Main Street have expressed interest in having permanent, reserved usage of 20 spaces in the Ceape parking lot. Mr. Ratchman noted that when the 100 North Main Street development was being built, the developers came before the Board and were adamant in obtaining parking in the Riverside Lot for a resident's second vehicle. It was noted that the owners of 100 North Main were paying for permits in the Riverside Lot until recently because of construction. Ms. Schiessl pointed out that the 100 North Main managers are requesting 20 parking spaces in the Ceape Lot, which would be approximately 20 percent of the available spaces. She expressed concern that the parking requests could change every time the corporation changed managers. Mr. McHugh said there were already eighteen events booked at the new convention center for 2009. He was opposed to giving any parking spaces away. He felt there is plenty of parking available in the surrounding blocks. Mr. Ratchman felt if parking spaces were designated to one party that it could set a precedent for businesses involving the other city parking lots. He noted if vehicles are parked in the lots for extended periods of time, this creates snow plowing problems. Mr. Strong said Mr. Donald Braun, manager of 100 North Main Street, was asking for additional parking for retail customers, business employees and overnight guests. He noted there is 2-hour on- street parking available on State Street and Main Street, which is great for retail customers. Mr. Ratchman felt the current on-street and meter parking is fine for retail customers and employees. He noted his employees have to plug meters. He felt the issue is long-term parking. PARKING UTILITY MINUTES Page 2 OCTOBER 8, 2008 Mr. Strong felt with long-term parking, the owner can walk the distance. Mr. Ratchman noted these apartments started out as family units and are now more for college students, who each have a vehicle. With college students, many vehicles are parked there all week long. At 4:15 p.m. Mr. Don Braun, 100 North Main Street, arrived at the meeting. He proceeded to explain his parking challenges. Presently he is seven parking spaces short for his renters. Until recently, he was paying for 20 parking spaces in the Riverside Lot; now, a construction trailer is presently occupying some of the spaces. He is looking for a workable situation. He does have some tenants willing to park in the convention center lot. His parking problems occur primarily in the evening and overnight. Mr. McHugh would not support this request. He believes the convention center visitors deserve close proximity parking and the purpose of this lot is for convention center parking. Mr. Braun said he is not paying for the parking spaces in the Riverside Lot because of the current convention center construction. In the meantime, he has been paying the tenants' parking tickets. Ms. Schiessl felt the Board should wait until the convention center re-opens before making any decision. Mr. McHugh suggested having Wendy Hielsberg, head of the convention center, come and talk to the Board about their parking needs. Mr. Ratchman questioned why Mr. Braun was asking for twenty spaces when he only needs seven. Mr. Braun said the spaces were for overnight guests and he felt this was his one and only chance to request these parking spaces. Mr. McHugh suggested having the construction trailer moved to allow use of their parking spaces in the Riverside Lot. Mr. Strong suggested the Board revisit this request in November STAFF ITEM None. AGENDA ITEMS FOR NEXT MEETING None. ADJOURNMENT There being no other business to come before the Parking Utility Commission, and upon being duly moved and seconded, (Ratchman, Schiessl) the meeting adjourned at 4:50 p. m.