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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMINUTES OSHKOSH PARKING UTILITY COMMISSION MINUTES MAY 13, 2009 PRESENT: Jim Stapel Presiding, and Dennis McHugh ABSENT: Mary Murken and Jay Ratchman STAFF: Christopher Strong, Transportation Director Peggy Steeno, Finance Director Jennifer Weigand, Recording Secretary CALL TO ORDER Chairman Stapel called the meeting to order at 4:00 p.m. UNFINISHED BUSINESS 1. REPEAL PARKING UTILITY COMMISSION BY-LAWS Ms. Lynn Lorenson, City Attorney, explained to the Board that most of the language in the commission’s by-laws is covered by existing state statutes or municipal code language. She reviewed each section of the by-laws and how it is covered under Sections 2-36 and 2-50. The only conflicting item is the section referring to what constitutes a quorum. The by-laws make it more difficult to pass items with you have a small board, since they require three people to approve a motion. Ms. Lorenson said that repealing the by-laws will not change how the Board operates. She said that, as written, the by-laws do not give the commission any more or less authority; most of the language repeats what is in the municipal code book. Mr. McHugh saw no reason to keep the by-laws. NEW BUSINESS TH 2-3. REMOVAL OF PARKING METERS FROM W. 9 AVENUE PARKING TH LOT AND W 8 PARKING LOT. In starting to remove meters from parking lots, Mr. Strong said he was first looking at parking lots where the meters don’t generate much revenue and where there appears to be a lot of capacity available. Ms. Steeno said the meter posts will be removed and sold with the parking meters. 4. REMOVAL OF PARKING METERS FROM RIVERSIDE PARKING PARKING UTILITY MINUTES Page 2 MAY 13, 2009 LOT. Mr. Stapel questioned if we currently sell a bunch of permits for these lots. His concern is if we will lose permit revenue to free parking. We need to consider the revenue impact. 5.REMOVAL OF ON-STREET METERS FROM CEAPE AVENUE, MT. VERNON STREET AND BROWN STREET. Regarding Mt. Vernon Street, Mr. Stapel pointed out the proposed move of the Oshkosh Housing Authority to 204 Washington Avenue. We may want to ask them what type of parking restriction they would want for their clientele. On Brown Street, Mr. Strong said it makes sense to convert the parking to 2-hour because of the availability of long term parking in the Algoma Lot. From his perspective, it makes sense to convert on-street parking to short-term to make it consistent with what we have elsewhere in the downtown area. 6.DISCUSSION OF PARKING MANAGEMENT METHODS TO USE IN PLACE OF METERS. Mr. Strong stated that other methods need to be in place to help manage parking in order to make meter removal succeed in the city. Monthly unreserved parking. It was noted that monthly spaces are currently available at 6 a.m., which requires a vehicle overnight parking to vacate the space early in the morning. Mr. Stapel felt it might work just as well or better if the 6 a.m. start time was changed to 7:30 or 8 a.m. This would help keep residential parking in the area and could turn into a revenue advantage. Mr. Strong said he has heard the overnight parking language is somewhat unclear, and that people are often parking overnight for free based on the way the ordinance is setup now. Shared monthly permits. Mr. Strong suggested hang tags or a similar format could be used to allow a monthly permit to be shared across vehicles. Mr. Stapel questioned how we would it be determined how many permits would be given out. He also said we have to take into account that the cost for hang tags may be higher than a sticker. Daily permits. Mr. Stapel questioned how many of these would be issued. He noted that there are always the motorists who will take the best parking spots. Mr. Strong did not see any need to establish a limit. He suggested that these could be bought in bulk by adjacent property owners at some sort of discount. PARKING UTILITY MINUTES Page 3 MAY 13, 2009 Mr. Stapel felt we need to have policies regarding free parking spots for special events and the sale of parking utility land. He said people are always asking about free parking spots for special events. Previously, the Exclusive Co. had requested to put up a garage in the parking lot behind their building and the Commission denied the request because we don’t sell parcels of parking utility land. Another example, parking spaces were given to the Grand Opera House to park dumpsters. He feels we need to formalize these policies so people know what to expect and we have guidelines to follow. He questioned what the value of a parking space would be. Mr. Strong replied that the cost of constructing an outdoor space is approximately $10,000 per space while a covered space in a parking ramp would be about $25,000. 7.DISCUSSION OF REMOVAL OF PARKING METERS FROM CEAPE AVENUE LOT. This item was tabled. 8.DISCUSSION OF DISPOSITION OF REMOVED PARKING METERS. Mr. Strong said they propose to sell surplus meters through the City’s OshBuy auction site. Ms. Steeno said they have previously sold a parking meter heads for $25. Mr. Stapel liked the idea of using the meters as a fundraiser. This would bring business into the downtown, receive press coverage on parking meter removal and revenue from the sale of the meters. ADJOURNMENT There being no other business to come before the Parking Utility Commission, and upon being duly moved and seconded, (McHugh, Stapel) the meeting adjourned at 5:00 p.m.