Parking Commission.

411 West First Street City of Duluth Duluth, Minnesota 55802 Minutes Parking Commission. Friday, July 10, 2020 7:30 AM Council Chambers, 3rd Floor, City Hall NOTICE: The Duluth Parking Commission will be holding its July 2020 meeting by other electronic means pursuant to Minnesota Statutes Section 13D.021 in response to the COVID-19 emergency. Some members of the Commission will be participating through video conference. Due to the COVID-19 emergency and the closure of City facilities, public comment will not be taken in person. However, members of the public can monitor the meeting and provide public comment on agenda items through WebEx Events. Visit https://duluthmn.gov/live-meeting to access the meeting. The public is also encouraged to submit written comment to Parking Services Manager Mark Bauer at mbauer@duluthmn.gov prior to the meeting. Please include “Duluth Parking Commission July 2020 Agenda” in the subject line, and include your name and address and the agenda item you are speaking to. Please note that all public comment is considered Public Data. ROLL CALL Members Present • Dennis Jensen • Linda Krug • Noland Makowsky, Vice President • Em Westerlund • Mark Bauer, Ex Officio Members Absent • Derek Medved • Jessica Sterle, President • Karin Swor Guests Present • Kris Liljeblad, Senior Transportation Planner – City of Duluth APPROVAL OF MINUTES Approval of June 2020 meeting minutes Commissioner Linda Krug motioned that the June 2020 parking commission meeting minutes be approved as presented. Commissioner Dennis Jensen seconded the motion, which was approved 4-0. ON-STREET ADA PARKING STALL REQUESTS On-street ADA parking zone requests City of Duluth Parking Services Division Manager Mark Bauer presented a proposal to install on-street ADA accessible parking zone at three locations in Duluth. He stated that the parking division had visited the sites and consulted City of Duluth Page 1 Parking Commission. Minutes July 10, 2020 with the Commission on Disabilities on the request. He stated that he recommended approval of the zones. Commissioner Krug motioned that the zone at 1204 East 3rd Street be approved. Commissioner Jensen seconded the motion, which was approved 4-0. Commissioner Jensen motioned that the zone at 113 East 4th Street be approved with the stipulation that it be installed at the time the planned redevelopment of the property is completed. Commissioner Westerlund seconded the motion, which was approved 4-0. Commissioner Krug motioned that the zone on 3rd Avenue East adjacent to Greysolon Plaza be approved with the Parking Services Division’s recommended four-hour time limit. Commissioner Westerlund seconded the motion, which was approved 4-0. PROPOSAL TO ADD TWO TEN-MINUTE DROP-OFF ZONES TO THE 2300 BLOCK OF EAST SUPERIOR STREET Proposal to include two ten-minute drop-off zones in the 1st Street two-way conversion plan Mr. Bauer introduced a proposal to add two ten-minute drop-off zones to the 1st Street one-to-two-way conversion plan. He stated that the zones, located at 2309 and 2316 East 1st Street, would serve the needs of two bed-and-breakfasts. Mr. Bauer stated that the owner of one of the businesses had requested the zones to accommodate the historical tour vehicles that often stop at the properties, as they are both historically-recognized structures. City of Duluth Senior Transportation Planner Kris Liljeblad expressed support for the proposal, noting that 1st Street would likely be removed as a “State Aid” route due to the directionality conversion. Commissioner Krug motioned that the proposal be approved. Commissioner Jensen seconded the motion, which was approved 4-0. PROPOSAL TO IMPLEMENT A TEN-MINUTE DROP-OFF ZONE AT 5631 EAST SUPERIOR STREET Proposal to implement a ten-minute drop-off zone at 5631 East Superior Street Mr. Bauer introduced a proposal to add a two-stall ten-minute drop-off zone at 5631 East Superior Street. He stated that a nearby resident had requested a review of the parking in the area following the opening of Stokke’s Liquor store, which had introduced more vehicles to the area. Mr. Bauer stated that the increase in parking demand has resulted in vehicles parking on both sides of 57th Avenue West, an alternate side route, as well as delivery trucks parking on the avenue and causing concerns regarding clear passage of other vehicles. Mr. Bauer stated that the Stokke’s owner was supportive of the proposal to add the new zone to encourage customers and delivery drivers to utilize this space and remove pressure from the avenue. Mr. Bauer stated that he would also request “Alternate Side Parking In Effect Year-Round” signage for the avenue to reinforce the existing configuration and that that portion of the signage package did not need commission approval. Commissioner Westerlund stated that she was aware of the parking issues in the area and expressed support for the proposal. Commissioner Jensen motioned that the proposal be approved. Commissioner Krug seconded the motion, which was approved 4-0. 2020 PARKING FUND BUDGET UPDATE City of Duluth Page 2 Parking Commission. Minutes July 10, 2020 Comments on COVID-19 impacts on parking budget Mr. Bauer provided a brief update on the impacts of the COVID-19 epidemic on the parking budget. He stated that revenues had decreased as fewer parkers visited the downtown area due to layoffs, social distancing, and business closures but that parking occupancy and revenues were slowly beginning to rise as businesses reopened and customers began to return. He stated that monthly occupancy in the ramps and lots had stayed at about 90% of normal throughout the closures but that transient revenues had decreased by about 50%. Mr. Bauer stated that on-street revenues had decreased by an even greater percentage. He stated that several planned 2020 projects had been put on hold to compensate for revenue losses but that he was hopeful for a string recovery by the end of 2020 and into 2021. OFF-STREET PARKING UPDATE Off-street parking update Mr. Bauer provided an update on off-street parking operations. He stated that design work on the new Medical District parking facility was nearly complete and that it would be a very progressive, multi-modal facility, with electric vehicle charging stations, bicycle facilities, motorcycle parking, pedestrian access, and far more ADA-accessible parking stalls than required. He stated that he would keep the commission updated at the project progressed and involve the commission on items such as rates when those key decision points occurred. ON-STREET PARKING UPDATE On-street parking update Mr. Bauer stated that all parking staff except for Community Services Officers had been rehired after layoffs. PUBLIC COMMENTS Public comments There were no additional public comments. ADJOURNMENT City of Duluth Page 3