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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMINUTES OSHKOSH PARKING UTILITY COMMISSION MINUTES SEPTEMBER 8, 2010 PRESENT: Steve Herman, Nicholas Janis, Mary Murken, Jay Ratchman and Tim Schuster STAFF: Christopher Strong, Transportation Director CALL TO ORDER Councilman Steve Herman called the meeting to order at 4:00 p.m. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Mr. Janis moved to accept the August 11, 2010 minutes. Mr. Schuster seconded the motion. Motion carried (5-0). FINANCIAL REPORTS Mr. Herman noted we are staying close to our projected targeted budget. Mr. Ratchman noted parking ticket revenue is down but he felt this was due to the Main Street construction project. Capt. Schoeni, Oshkosh Police Dept., noted that one of their parking employees was out on medical leave this past month, which would have had an impact. Ms. Murken moved to receive the financial reports. Mr. Ratchman seconded the motion. Motion carried (5-0). OLD BUSINESS 1. ELECTION OF A CHAIRPERSON AND VICE-CHAIRMAN. Ms. Murken accepted the nomination for the chairperson position. Mr. Schuster accepted the nomination for the vice-chairman position. Chairperson Herman declared that the nominees are elected; thus effecting the election by general consent. Mr. Herman turned the meeting over to newly elected Chairperson Murken. NEW BUSINESS 2. DISCUSSION OF SHORT-TERM PARKING IN JEFFERSON (400 BLOCK EAST) LOT. Mr. Strong said there have been numerous complaints about a lack of short-term parking in the lot. He feels the lack of short-term parking centers on three issues: a) a reduction in the supply of short- PARKING UTILITY MINUTES Page 2 SEPTEMBER 8, 2010 term parking spaces, b) an increase in demand for short-term parking spaces due to Main Street being closed and c) an increase in the length of free parking allowed in the short-term parking spaces. Ms. MaDonna Hill said she has a business and a residence at 456 N. Main Street. She noted the businesses have also lost an additional 22 parking spaces behind their buildings in addition to the 15 spaces noted. She said that there is a mix of different kinds of businesses, which results in not enough parking spaces. Her private long-term parking space was negotiated with the City. Clientele, who have spent money at their businesses, are rewarded by a $15 parking ticket. She stated this problem started before Main Street was torn up. When winter comes, parking spaces are reduced due to snow buildup. There are a number of issues besides the lack of short-term parking. She said that additional short-term parking is needed for customer turnover. She said between her roommates and associates, her business utilizes six parking spaces. She expressed frustration to find her private long-term parking space taken at 2 a.m. in the morning, then having to park elsewhere and find yourself with a parking ticket. We call the police to ticket the vehicle but the vehicle cannot be towed away. Capt. Schoeni noted that once the vehicle is ticketed, the other party can call a towing company to have the vehicle towed away and the liability than transfers to them. Ms. Hill said all she wants is a clear understanding so everyone is on the same page and knows what to do. Mr. Herman asked for an explanation of the restricted parking. Mr. Strong explained the City had entered in easements and parking agreements with the property owners that there would be a masonry wall on the back of their property which prohibited parking (except to garage entrances) and in exchange they would get one or two restricted parking spaces. Mr. Todd Cummings, 434 N. Main Street, had said his insurance agent, who came in, ended up with a $15 parking ticket because he had parked in restricted parking due to poor signage. He said that in other cities the wording “restricted parking” is painted in each space, which leaves no question for the driver. The insurance agent was penalized for coming downtown. He felt the signage is not clear and it is not accomplishing what it was intended to do. He asked if many permits have been sold for customers staying longer than 2 hours. Mr. Strong replied that not many had been sold. In the property owner’s opinion, we need to look at another system to address these problems. Mr. Cummings noted beauty salon stylists are going out and brushing off the chalk marks on their tires to avoid getting a ticket. There are not a lot of spaces for the businesses in the area. Capt. Schoeni noted the salon owners have been buying permits the past few months. Ms. Murken wondered if these problems are due to customers, who previously may have parked in the lot behind Kitz and Pfeil, and are not able to cross over Main Street during construction. Ms. Maureen Lasky, OAEDC Downtown BID Manager, has heard many concerns from business owners and customers. They want to encourage businesses and customers to come downtown and maintain short-term parking. There are not that many turnover spots. She feels pay and display is a wonderful option for customers by allowing them to pay for the number of hours they need to conduct their business. She felt the day passes are not working because out-of-town customers are not going to City Hall to purchase them. We need to encourage more turnover in this lot. Mr. Ratchman said what he is hearing is that people who park long-term are parking in the short-term spaces. Ms. Hill said there are many times when there are a lot of spaces available in the permit parking area. PARKING UTILITY MINUTES Page 3 SEPTEMBER 8, 2010 Ms. Julie Wolk, Gardina’s Wine Bar and Café, 448 N. Main Street, said they have experienced problems with other people parking in the reserved parking spaces and then they have to park in the customer short-term parking spaces. She felt they are all being penalized for being successful. Mr. Herman said he is hearing that the number of permit parking spaces should be reduced. To add more parking spaces, the Commission could reduce the permit parking spaces to increase the short- term spaces. Ms. Hill said it is tough because we are business owners and she also lives there. She said that all parties need to work together to get results. Mr. Janis felt there is not a thing that can be done that won’t have repercussions. If the number of permit parking spaces is reduced, permit holders will be upset. He said he didn’t really see a way to change these parking spaces to accommodate what the business owners want. Ms. Kathleen Sakschek, 452 N. Main Street, said the City is investing a lot of money to make downtown Oshkosh beautiful and draw people to the downtown area and Mr. Janis’s answer is a little bit troubling. Ms. Murken asked for clarification that the majority of parking issues occur during day time hours. Ms. Hill said that was correct. Ms. Murken said we need to work together for the same goal that the business owners want. Ms. Hill said another option would be better wording on the signs to help educate everyone. She said that business owners are the ones who hear the wrath of people who want to come downtown. Mr. Schuster asked whether reducing the number of permit parking stalls would greatly impact the businesses. Ms. Hill said it would have an impact on her customers: Some would like it and some would not. She said it was complicated. Mr. Schuster asked whether they anticipated parking problems easing once Main Street is open. Ms. Hill replied that she didn’t think that would make a difference. How many spots did we lose with the bump-outs on Main Street. Mr. Strong estimated it was eight spaces in this block. Ms. Lasky questioned if there is value in looking at a satellite lot for permit parking. This would ease up short term parking. Ms. Hill said it isn’t all about prime short-term parking but also about safety. Mr. Herman recommended a reduction in permit parking to increase short-term spaces. For long- term parking, he felt we should look into satellite lots. Mr. Janis questioned what would be a recommended number to change. Mr. Schuster asked what percentage of State Street Lot is designated for permit parking. Mr. Strong replied the vast majority. Mr. Ratchman suggested that Library employees could also park in the State Street Lot, which would free up some spots. Ms. Hill said there is permit parking around the perimeter of the Library Lot and she would not have a problem parking there because this lot is well-lit. PARKING UTILITY MINUTES Page 4 SEPTEMBER 8, 2010 Mr. Strong added that other cities have satellite lot parking and it is based on a tier pricing structure. The Commission would have to figure out how to make that work with our current permit system. From a strategic standpoint, he felt it made sense to look into this. Mr. Cummings reiterated that the wording on the signs be looked into. Mr. Ratchman suggested revisiting the cost of the parking violation fee. He feels this is a negative sales tactic. Mr. Strong said we were trying to encourage people to buy permits. The ordinance was always a $10 fine but there was some type of agreement between the BID Board and the City. From a budgetary perspective, we never planned on the increased ticket price to increase revenue. His understanding is this reduction in revenue doesn’t reflect any difference in enforcement. He noted that internally there may be an issue with the coding of tickets and there should be some revenue that should be going into Parking Utility. Ms. Murken recommended that we change the permit parking spaces up on the east side up to the southern bio-filter area to short-term parking spaces and continue to monitor the situation after Main Street reopens. Mr. Herman seconded the motion. Motion carried (5-0) Ms. Hill said they would inform their customers and clients that permit parking is also available around the perimeter of the Library Lot and in the State Street Lot. Mr. Schuster suggested updating the permit parking maps that are given to consumers. STAFF STATEMENTS 3. OVERNIGHT PARKING. Motion by Ms. Murken, seconded by Mr. Janis to table this item. Motion carried (4-0). 4. POLICY ON RESERVATIONS OF CITY-OWNED PARKING LOTS. Mr. Herman moved to table this item until Mr. Strong has a draft policy completed. Mr. Ratchman seconded the motion. Motion carried (4-0). 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 (Schuster, Murken), the meeting adjourned at 5:20 p.m.