Parking Commission.

411 West First Street City of Duluth Duluth, Minnesota 55802 Minutes Parking Commission. Friday, March 4, 2022 7:30 AM Council Chambers, 3rd Floor, City Hall NOTICE: The Duluth Parking Commission will be holding its March 2022 meeting by other electronic means pursuant to Minnesota Statutes Section 13D.021 in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Some members of the Commission will be participating through video conference. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, 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 mbauer@duluthmn.gov prior to the meeting. Please include “PARKING COMMISSION” 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. The public are also encouraged to watch the meeting online or by tuning into Public Access Television, Channel 180. ROLL CALL Members Present • Linda Krug • Noland Makowsky, President • Jessica Sterle • Em Westerlund, Vice President • Mark Bauer, Ex Officio Members Absent • Terese Tomanek Guests Present • Jeff Aanenson, Duluth Operations Manager – Interstate Parking Company • Carl Crawford, Human Rights Officer – City of Duluth • Duncan Schwensohn, Senior Engineer – City of Duluth • John Ramos, Investigative Reporter – Duluth Monitor APPROVAL OF MINUTES Approval of February 2022 meeting minutes City of Duluth Parking Services Manager Mark Bauer presented the minutes of the February 2022 meeting of the Duluth Parking Commission. Commissioner Linda Krug motioned that the minutes be approved as presented. Commissioner Jessica Sterle seconded the motion, which was approved 4-0. PROPOSAL TO CREATE A TEN-MINUTE DROP-OFF ZONE AT 222 EAST SUPERIOR STREET Proposal to establish a ten-minute drop-off zone on the 200 block of East Superior Street Mr. Bauer presented a proposal to implement a ten-minute drop-off zone at 222 City of Duluth Page 1 Parking Commission. Minutes March 4, 2022 East Superior Street, adjacent to the Zeitgeist Arts building. He stated that Zeitgeist’s manager had requested the zone for the pick-up and drop-off needs associated with the businesses in the building and that the proposal was for a two-stall zone. City of Duluth Senior Engineer Duncan Schwensohn stated that he was in support of the plan as presented. Commission Vice President Em Westerlund stated that while she supported the proposal, she wished to emphasize the importance of being very intentional are careful regarding these types of requests, as granting too many of them could result in a meaningful loss of public parking for others. Commissioner Krug motioned that the request be approved. Commissioner Sterle seconded the motion, which was approved 4-0 PROPOSAL TO CONTINUE TO PROHIBIT PARKING ON 21ST AVENUE EAST Proposal to continue a parking prohibition on 21st Avenue East Mr. Bauer presented a proposal to reaffirm the existing parking prohibition on 21st Avenue East from London Road to Woodland Avenue. Mr. Schwensohn stated that the related request had been generated by the Minnesota Department of Transportation in relation to an upcoming repaving project that the City of Duluth would be performing. He stated that the avenue currently featured four drive lanes and no parking lanes and was currently marked with no parking signage. Mr. Bauer stated that the existing signage was supplemental and simply intended to reinforce the reality that parking in the drive lanes was not legal. Mr. Schwensohn stated that he believed the purpose of MnDOT’s request was to provide assurance that the no parking configuration would remain following the project. Commissioner Westerlund motioned that the proposal be approved. Commissioner Krug seconded the motion, which was approved 4-0. OFF-STREET PARKING UPDATE Off-street parking update Interstate Parking Company Duluth Operations Manager Jeff Aanenson reported that off-street operations were proceeding smoothly and that Interstate Parking was beginning the annual process of hiring additional staff to assist with the upcoming Canal Park fee enforcement season. ON-STREET PARKING UPDATE On-street parking update Mr. Bauer stated that the City’s second declared Snow Emergency had gone relatively smoothly and that the ticketing and towing numbers were expected to finalize at approximately the same levels as those of the first Snow Emergency. He stated that the areas of enforcement focus had altered this time in response to feedback received during the first Snow Emergency and that the City’s enforcement efforts would continue to be adjusted based on data and feedback. Commissioner Sterle inquired whether there had been proactive communications between the City and area tenants’ groups regarding information about Snow Emergencies. Mr. Bauer stated that the City’s Communications and Public Relations teams had been communicating with various public entities regarding the Snow Emergencies. Commissioner Makowsky suggested that a shuttle service that could serve the City’s designated Snow Emergency Lots be considered. Commissioner Westerlund expressed that the City should continue to explore any options that could assist people who City of Duluth Page 2 Parking Commission. Minutes March 4, 2022 have few parking options and thanked City staff for their attention and responsiveness. Commissioner Sterle inquired into the details of how the City informs residents of the Snow Emergency system and parking options. Mr. Bauer stated that Snow Emergency brochures are mailed at the start of each season to every resident of the city. Mr. Bauer also stated that parking staff had recently assisted with traffic control during the recent United States Presidential visit to the area. PUBLIC COMMENTS Public comments There were no additional public comments. City of Duluth Page 3