Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutPARKING UTILITY MINUTES OCTOBER 2014 Please contact the Parking Utility Commission at PUC@ci.oshkosh.wi.us with questions or concerns. PARKING UTILITY COMMISSION MINUTES OCTOBER 8, 2014 PRESENT: Chanda Anderson, Steve Herman, Mary Murken ABSENT: Timothy Schuster, Jay Ratchman STAFF: Jim Collins, Transportation Director Marlene Binder, Secretary CALL TO ORDER Steve Herman called the meeting to order at 4:05 p.m. ACCEPTANCE OF MINUTES Mr. Herman moved to accept the minutes from the previous, August 13, 2014, meeting. Ms. Murken seconded the motion. Motion carried (3-0). Ms. Anderson asked for clarification that the salaries and fringe benefits listed in the income statement do not include Police Department enforcement of parking violations. Mr. Herman and Mr. Collins replied that it is not included but the utility pays for administration costs. Mr. Herman explained that Kyle enforces other types of parking violations such as on street parking violations and private property parking lot violations so he is paid by the Police Department. NEW BUSINESS 1. A REQUEST FOR FOUR HOUR PARKING IN 9TH AVENUE PARKING LOT (CURRENT CONDITION 90 MINUTE PARKING) Mr. Collins said he received two requests from businesses for longer parking limits in this lot, one from Golden Gate Floral and another from Adventure Games. There are two other lots in the area that provide parking options as well. A private lot behind the 9th Avenue lot and the 10th Avenue city owned lot. Mr. Herman asked what the time limit was for on street parking in front of these businesses. The two business owners present replied it was 90 minutes. Mr. Collins continued that there are 5 leased, and 22 available 90 minute public spaces making up the total 27 parking spaces in the 9th Avenue lot. Ted Alecos, of Adventure Games, 927 Oregon Street, said about half of his 4,000 square feet building is devoted to various card, tabletop and board gaming. The gaming tournaments held here are attended by persons aged 12 and up and last between 2 and 4 hours. He explained that the l0th Avenue lot is PARKING UTILITY MINUTES 2 October 8, 2014 Please contact the Parking Utility Commission at PUC@ci.oshkosh.wi.us with questions or concerns. inconvenient for his gamers because they need to bring equipment, such as miniatures, rule books, and special terrains which may necessitate making multiple trips to the building. Cameron Stang, of Expressive Apparel, says his business has been located here 3 ½ years. There are five spaces behind his building and he states his customers have difficulty finding a parking space near his building because another business’s employees park in those spaces. Mr. Stang said he has called police numerous times to enforce the parking time limit so parking would be available for his customers. Mr. Collins said Zach Beatty, whose wife owns Salon Village, telephoned and spoke in support of changing a portion of this lot from 90 minute to 4 hour. Ms. Anderson recommends changing the parking restriction of all spaces from 90 minutes to 2 hours except leased and handicapped spaces. Mr. Collins said the 10th Avenue parking lot is 4 hour parking. Mr. Herman would like to keep the parking limits consistent throughout the city. Ms. Anderson suggested the business owner purchase parking permits on weekdays when tournaments are held during daytime hours. Mr. Herman called for a voice vote on changing the parking restriction to 2 hours for stalls 1-11, 16-20 and 24-27, essentially all stalls except the leased and handicapped stalls, in the 9th Avenue parking lot. Voice vote carried (3-0). STAFF STATEMENTS Mr. Collins said the Planning Department is spearheading a parking study for a downtown parking ramp and possibly a downtown plan. It is unknown at this time if the two studies will be combined or done separately but this commission will be a part of the process. Mr. Herman suggested that when the Planning Department is ready to present the study, it would be nice if a combined meeting of both the Traffic Review Advisory Board and the Parking Utility Commission be held together. The second item he wanted to bring before the Board was that the BID believes its commitment to the parking utility has expired. According to the gentleman’s agreement they were to contribute funds annually to offset costs after parking meters were removed. The City has costs associated with reconstructing parking lots (such as Riverside, 400 West, etc), as well as costs to maintain these parking lots. The City of Oshkosh would like the BID to continue to offset some of these costs. Mr. Herman also suggested that the fee for overnight parking permits be looked at as possible additional revenue that would have no effect on downtown businesses. There was additional discussion as to whether the overnight parking permits are issued for the parking lots or on street parking and if this matter falls under the purview of the Parking Utility Commission or the Traffic Review Advisory Board. Mr. Collins said he would look into this matter and report back at the next meeting. ADJOURNMENT There being no other business to come before the Parking Utility Commission, and upon being duly moved and seconded (Herman, Anderson), the meeting adjourned at 5:00 p.m.