Parking Commission.

411 West First Street City of Duluth Duluth, Minnesota 55802 Minutes Parking Commission. Friday, February 7, 2020 7:30 AM Council Chambers, 3rd Floor, City Hall APPROVAL OF MINUTES Commissioner Derek Medved motioned that the January 2020 parking commission meeting minutes be approved as presented. Commissioner Karin Swor seconded the motion, which was approved 4-0 (Commissioner Noland Makowsky had not yet arrived at the meeting by the time the vote was taken). ON-STREET ADA PARKING SIGNAGE REQUESTS Mr. Bauer presented an on-street ADA parking zone requests for approval. He stated that he had visited the site and that he recommended the request for approval. Commissioner Swor motioned that the request, for 3216 Restormel Street, be approved. Commissioner Medved seconded the motion, which was approved 4-0 (Commissioner Makowsky had not yet arrived at the meeting by the time the vote was taken). PROPOSAL TO ADJUST PARKING CONFIGURATIONS ON WEST SUPERIOR STREET IN LINCOLN PARK City of Duluth Engineer Cindy Voigt described a proposal to alter the on-street parking configuration on West Superior Street between the point at which Superior Street and Michigan Street separate west of downtown and 22nd Avenue West. She stated that the proposed configuration was related to the re-routing of the cross-city bicycle trail onto Superior Street caused by the upcoming Twin Ports Interchange project. Ms. Voigt stated that the engineering and parking divisions had worked with the Lincoln Park business community to arrive at the recommendation. Mr. Bauer stated that the recommended changes would also serve to respond to the changing needs of the growing business district and to “freshen up” old signage in the area. Commission Makowsky inquired what the total on-street parking stall loss or gain would be. Ms. Voigt replied that she did not have that number. Mr. Bauer stated that the Lincoln Park Business Group had previously requested that the on-street parking meters be removed but that a subsequent stakeholder survey had revealed very low support for the proposal. Ms. Voigt stated that recent conversations with area stakeholders regarding the current proposal had confirmed the low support for meter removal. Commission Vice President Jessica Sterle motioned that the proposal be approved as presented. Commissioner Medved seconded the motion, which was approved 4-0 (Commission President Andy Goldfine abstaining). City of Duluth Page 1 Parking Commission. Minutes February 7, 2020 BLUESTONE EXPANSION CONTRACTOR PARKING UPDATE Mr. Bauer provided an update on contractor parking related to the Bluestone development expansion project. He stated that the City’s engineering division had provided the developer with street obstruction permits that would allow contractors involved in the project to park on East 8th Street between Clover Street and Wallace Avenue, adjacent to the project, in excess of the posted two-hour time limit. He stated that this solution should accommodate the parking needs for the duration of the project. OFF-STREET PARKING UPDATE Interstate Parking Company Duluth Operations Manager Doug Melander provided an update on off-street parking operations. He provided an update on the status of structural repairs being performed at Library/Depot Upper Lot and Hart District Ramp. ON-STREET PARKING UPDATE Mr. Bauer re-presented a proposal to adjust the total public parking loss on East 2nd Street, related to the upcoming St. Luke’s redevelopment project, from the previously-approved 47 spaces to 34 spaces. He stated that St. Luke’s and their contracted designed had altered their design to allow the public spaces to remain on the lower side of the 900 East block and that the item was being re-presented for approval after having been tabled in the January 2020 commission meeting. Area resident Cheryl Olson stated that she was concerned with both the loss of on-street parking stalls and by the lack of communication on the subject with area stakeholders by the City. Commissioner Goldfine inquired why only the 13 meters on the 900 East block and not others could be retained. City of Duluth Engineer Duncan Schwensohn stated that the intent on the other blocks was to extend the boulevard width and to make the area more visually attractive, as well as to provide a sound buffer to the nearby relocated helipad. Commissioner Sterle inquired what discussions with area residents had taken place. Mr. Schwensohn stated that the City had held two public meetings but that they had been poorly attended. Commissioner Sterle inquired whether there would be any further public meetings. Mr. Schwensohn stated that there would be no further meetings, since the project plans were complete. City of Duluth Senior Transportation Planner Kris Liljeblad stated that because of the relocation of the St. Luke’s emergency room entrance on the lower side of the 1000 block of East 1st Street that removal of the parking on that block was “a given,” but he stated that the parking removal on the 1100 East block was “more optional.” He pointed out that the new St. Luke’s parking structure effectively replaced the stalls lost on-street. Mr. Bauer stated that St. Luke’s representatives had confirmed that parking off-street would involve a fee and that the parking division’s prediction was that a significant on-street parking demand would remain as a result. Commissioner Makowsky inquired whether the on-street stalls on the 1100 block could also be retained. Mr. Schwensohn stated that any further changes risked delaying the project, perhaps until the following year. Commissioner Sterle reiterated her previous concern regarding the quick project City of Duluth Page 2 Parking Commission. Minutes February 7, 2020 approval timeline and associated lack of thoroughness regarding public feedback, as well as the pressure put on the commission to approve the proposal too quickly. Commissioner Medved motioned that the proposal to retain the previously-eliminated 13 stall on the 900 East block of 2nd Street be retained. Commissioner Sterle seconded the motion, which was approved 5-0. PROPOSAL TO AMEND PARKING COMMISSION BYLAWS Mr. Bauer introduced a proposal to change two items in the parking commission’s bylaws. He stated that the parking manager’s title should be changed to “Parking Services Manager” to conform to the current title for the position and that the number of commissioners required for a bare quorum should be changed from five to four, in accordance with a 2019 City Council action affecting this change. Commissioner Medved motioned that the proposed changes be approved. Commissioner Makowsky seconded the motion, which was approved 5-0. ANNUAL ELECTION OF PARKING COMMISSION OFFICERS Mr. Bauer stated that the annual parking commission meeting in which new officers were to be elected had arrived. Commissioner Makowsky motioned that Commissioner Sterle be elected President. Commissioner Goldfine seconded the motion, which was approved 5-0. Commissioner Medved motioned that Commissioner Makowsky be elected Vice President. Commissioner Swor seconded the motion, which was approved 5-0. PUBLIC COMMENTS There were no additional public comments. ADJOURNMENT This was approved. 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