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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMINUTES OSHKOSH PARKING UTILITY COMMISSION MINUTES OCTOBER 14, 2009 PRESENT: Harold Buchholz, Mary Murken, Jay Ratchman and Jim Stapel ABSENT: Nicholas Janis STAFF: Christopher Strong, Transportation Director Jennifer Weigand, Recording Secretary CALL TO ORDER Chairman Stapel called the meeting to order at 4:00 p.m. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Mr. Buchholz moved to accept the September 9, 2009 minutes. Mr. Ratchman seconded the motion. Motion carried (4-0). FINANCIAL REPORTS Director of Finance Peggy Steeno answered questions regarding the update on Parking Utility Fund balance memo. Mr. Buchholz said this was something that needed to be done and he appreciated it being brought before the Board. Ms. Murken moved to accept the financial reports. Mr. Ratchman seconded the motion. Motion carried (4-0). NEW BUSINESS 1. DISCUSSION ON ADJUSTMENT TO METERLESS PARKING Ms. Stacy Lang, owner of Jacinda’s Spa and Salon located at 438 N. Main Street, said her biggest concern is for her clientele. Some of their services can take up to 2 ½ hours. It is not realistic in her business for their clients to move their vehicles every 90 minutes. She has started a petition in opposition to the 90-minute parking. The 90-minute parking impacts her business every day. She believes that customers are so worried about getting a parking ticket they get in their cars and leave the downtown area without shopping at other businesses. The only time her business has a parking issue is on Thursday, Friday and Saturday evenings when her customers have to contend with tavern patrons utilizing parking spaces. She is suggesting a 2- hour parking restriction. She also was concerned that having $15 parking tickets would make downtown more attractive to consumers. Mr. Buchholz questioned if a 2-hour parking restriction should be temporary until the parking lot is done. Ms. Lang would prefer 2-hour parking permanently. She feels a 90-minute limit is not enough time for anything. Mr. Buchholz would be in favor of a 2-hour limit on a temporary basis. PARKING UTILITY MINUTES Page 2 OCTOBER 14, 2009 Ms. Nicole Brayton, owner of Brayton’s Bed & Breakfast located at 143 Church Avenue, felt the 90- minute limit did not promote downtown businesses. She would like to see a 4-hour parking restriction in the parking lots so visitors are able to shop in several downtown stores without worrying about getting a parking ticket. Mr. Stapel said a 4-hour limit basically means free parking for employees and owners. Mr. Ratchman agreed with Mr. Stapel. Ms. Lang suggested designating certain areas as employee parking in the parking lots. Mr. Ratchman noted several residents live in the downtown area and in the a.m., motorists have to fight for a blue band spot. He agreed with possibly a 2-hour parking limit in the parking lots and on the street. He felt we should keep the time limits uniform. Ms. Lang noted Oshkosh is different from Appleton, which has a parking ramp and parking meters. She feels 90-minute parking and $15 parking tickets give no other options to customers for parking. Mr. Ratchman agreed Ms. Lang. Mr. Stapel said they are trying to make it work for everyone. Mr. Strong suggested lengthening parking to 2 hours in one parking lot at a time. He noted previously there were 4-hour parking spaces on Division Street for salon customers. Mr. Stapel said this backfired because employees parked there. Ms. Lang suggested implementing a 2-hour parking restriction in the 400 Block East lot and then change it only if it’s abused. She said a 2-hour parking limit would alleviate a lot of her problems. Mr. Buchholz moved to change the 90-minute parking restriction in the Jefferson (400 Block East) lot to 2-hour parking until December 31, 2010 (when the Main Street reconstruction is completed). Mr. Ratchman seconded the motion. Motion carried (4-0). Regarding the $15 fine, Mr. Strong noted this has not been approved by the Common Council. He had worked with Police Chief Greuel to update the violation fine structure. Mr. Ratchman is opposed to the $15 fine when there are no other parking options available to customers. A high violation fine will cause customers to complain about downtown and this reflects on all downtown businesses. He thinks the $5 fine is fine, but not $15. Mr. Buchholz said he would like to get more citizen input on what deters them from coming downtown. Ms. Murken was OK with whatever fine we choose as long as it is comparable to other communities. Mr. Ratchman felt the $15 fine would cause more negative publicity. Mr. Stapel would be interested in knowing what nearby communities charge for penalties. Ms. Murken moved to pull the $15 parking penalty from the upcoming resolution and look at comparable rates. Mr. Ratchman seconded the motion. Motion carried (4-0). PARKING UTILITY MINUTES Page 3 OCTOBER 14, 2009 2. DISCUSSION OF OVERNIGHT PARKING. Laid over until next month. 3. AUTHORIZATION TO DONATE METER HEADS TO BID MARKETING COMMITTEE. Ms. Murken moved to approve. Mr. Ratchman seconded the motion. Motion carried (4-0). STAFF STATEMENTS 1. UPDATE ON 400 BLOCK EAST RECONSTRUCTION PROJECT. Mr. Strong said the opening celebration is scheduled for November 7, 2009. AGENDA ITEMS FOR THE NEXT MEETING None. ADJOURNMENT There being no other business to come before the Parking Utility Commission, and upon being duly moved and seconded (Murken, Buchholz), the meeting adjourned at 5:27 p.m.