Parking Commission.

411 West First Street City of Duluth Duluth, Minnesota 55802 Minutes Parking Commission. Friday, August 5, 2022 7:30 AM Council Chambers, 3rd Floor, City Hall ROLL CALL Members Present • Linda Krug • Noland Makowsky, President • Terese Tomanek • Em Westerlund, Vice President • Mark Bauer, Ex Officio Members Absent • Jessica Sterle Guests Present • Theresa Badja – Planner – City of Duluth • Carl Crawford, Human Rights Officer – City of Duluth • Ari Eilola, Duluth Operations Manager – Interstate Parking Company • Adam Fulton, Deputy Director of Planning and Economic Development – City of Duluth • Rachel Mosely, resident – City of Duluth APPROVAL OF MINUTES Approval of June 2022 meeting minutes City of Duluth Parking Services Manager Mark Bauer presented the minutes of the June 2022 meeting of the Duluth Parking Commission. Commissioner Linda Krug motioned that the minutes be approved as presented. Commission Vice President Em Westerlund seconded the motion, which was approved 4-0. ON-STREET ADA ACCESSIBLE PARKING ZONE REQUESTS On-street ADA accessible parking zone requests Mr. Bauer presented a proposal to implement two on-street ADA accessible parking zones. He stated that he had visited the sites, communicated with the requesting parties, and consulted with the City of Duluth Commission on Disabilities regarding the requests. He recommended approval of both requests. Commissioner Terese Tomanek motioned that the request for 1437 North 8th Avenue East be approved. Commissioner Krug seconded the motion, which was approved 4-0. Commissioner Krug motioned that the request for 1807 West 1st Street be approved. Commissioner Tomanek seconded the motion, which was approved 4-0. This Parking Commission was approved. City of Duluth Page 1 Parking Commission. Minutes August 5, 2022 PROPOSAL TO IMPLEMENT A TEN-MINUTE DROP-OFF ZONE ON THE 200 BLOCK OF EAST SUPERIOR STREET Proposal to implement 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 on the south side of the 200 block of East Superior Street, near Tacos Tacos Tacos and Blacklist Brewery and immediately west of the entrance to Gichi-ode’Akiing Park. He stated that the area already features a hatched zone on the pavement but is not signed. He stated that the request had been generated by the owner of Tacos Tacos Tacos and that he had met onsite with that party and the owner of Blacklist Brewing simultaneously. Mr. Bauer stated that both owners would like to proposed zone to encourage pick-ups and drop-offs at their businesses. Commissioner Krug motioned that the proposal be approved. Commissioner Westerlund seconded the motion, which was approved 4-0. PROPOSAL TO PROHIBIT PARKING AT THE TERMINUS OF 11TH STREET WEST OF 25TH AVENUE WEST Proposal to prohibit parking at the terminus of 11th Street west of 25th Avenue West Mr. Bauer presented a proposal to prohibit parking at the terminus of 11th Street west of 25th Avenue West. He stated that the request had been generated by the City’s street maintenance crew and communicated through the City’s Engineering division and that the intent was to allow adequate room for snow plows and other vehicles to turn around and exit the area during operations. Commissioner Westerlund motioned that the proposal be approved, with the proviso that residents on the affected roadway be notified in advance of the change. Commissioner Krug seconded the motion, which was approved 4-0. DISCUSSION REGARDING POSSIBLE SALE OF CITY-OWNED PARKING FACILITIES Discussion regarding possible sale of City-owned parking facilities Mr. Bauer stated that a Request for Proposals had been issued by the City of Duluth for redevelopment of properties along East 1st Street and that the RFP included the possible sale of two downtown parking facilities: Technology Village Ramp and Medical District Ramp. Mr. Fulton provided additional detail, stating that the intent was to reactivate the referenced area of downtown, which has been in decline for many years. He stated that the RFP was “exploratory” in nature and that there would need to be reasonable assurance that the parking fund would remain healthy for a sale to commence. He stated that no sales action would be taken without further consultation by the Parking Commission, likely in the September meeting. Commissioner Tomanek inquired whether there would be a stipulation in any resulting sales agreement that would require the developer to include public safety measures that adequately address current downtown safety and livability issues. Mr. Fulton stated that no such stipulation had been included in the RFP but that one would likely be included in any resulting agreement. Mr. Fulton stated that the private appraisal of the facility values that was commissioned by the City arrived at a figure of $7 to $7.5 million. City of Duluth Page 2 Parking Commission. Minutes August 5, 2022 DISCUSSION OF PARKING CONCERNS AT 42ND AVENUE EAST AND QUEBEC AVENUE Discussion of parking concerns at 42nd Avenue East and Quebec Street Mr. Bauer stated that a Parking Commissioner had requested that parking challenges in the area of 42nd Avenue East and Quebec Street be discussed in the meeting, in response to a concern the Commission had received from a resident of the area. Mr. Bauer described the area and the challenges. He stated that residents had previously requested the area only allow resident parking but that the request did not proceed because the area is adjacent to a City trailhead and does not meet the parameters of a Residential Permit Parking Zone. Commissioner Westerlund noted that trees in the area were overgrown and suggested that the City’s Parks Maintenance division trim them back to make the signage more visible. Mr. Bauer stated that the residents had expressed hesitancy to call in violations when observed but that the Parking division had continued to encourage such reporting. He also stated that he would direct parking staff to continue proactive patrols in the area. PROPOSAL TO IMPLEMENT A TEN-MINUTE DROP-OFF ZONE ON THE ZERO BLOCK OF EAST SUPERIOR STREET Proposal to implement a ten-minute drop-off zone on the zero block of East Superior Street Mr. Bauer presented a proposal to implement a ten-minute drop-off zone on the north side of the zero black of East Superior Street, adjacent to Pizza Luce. He stated that Pizza Luce had been placing signage on the sidewalk that designated the area as being for drop-offs and pick-ups for their business and that this practice was illegal. He stated that subsequent communication with Pizza Luce management resulted in the request to officially designate a ten-minute drop-off zone that would serve their needs as well as those of anyone else in the area. Commissioner Krug motioned that the proposal be approved. Commissioner Tomanek seconded the motion, which was approved 4-0. PROPOSAL TO CREATE A TEN-MINUTE DROP-OFF ZONE AT 2132 WEST 3RD STREET Proposal to create a ten-minute drop-off zone at 2132 West 3rd Street Mr. Bauer presented a proposal to create a ten-minute drop-off zone at 2132 West 3rd Street. He stated that the request had come from the owner of Riley Rue, a dog grooming business that had recently moved into the building. He stated that the owner of the building supported the creation of the zone and that it would serve the pick-up and drop-off needs of the business. Commissioner Westerlund motioned that the proposal be approved. Commissioner Krug seconded the motion, which was approved 4-0. RECOMMENDATION TO RETURN TO VIRTUAL DULUTH PARKING COMMISSION MEETINGS City of Duluth Page 3 Parking Commission. Minutes August 5, 2022 Recommendation on return to virtual meetings After a discussion on the benefits of allowing virtual meetings of City Boards and Commissions, including more regular attendance, better access for those with accessibility challenges, and enhanced public safety, Commission President Noland Makowsky motioned that the Duluth Parking Commission officially support a return to virtual monthly meetings and communicate this to City Administration and the Duluth City Council. Commissioner Krug seconded the motion, which was approved 4-0. OFF-STREET PARKING UPDATE Off-street parking update Interstate Parking Company Duluth Operations Manager Ari Eilola provided an update on off-street parking operations. He stated that the Canal Park enforcement season was progressing smoothly but that Interstate was noting lower traffic and parking volume than in previous years. He stated that his suspicion was that this could be related to the current high fuel prices, deterring tourists from visiting. ON-STREET PARKING UPDATE On-street parking update Mr. Bauer stated that after one Parking Services Agent had resigned, another had been hired, and the division had return to a full staffing level. PUBLIC COMMENTS Public Comments Duluth resident Rachel Mosely stated that the City had recently ticketed vehicles on a portion of East 2nd Street east of Hawthorne Avenue adjacent to her property at 202 East 2nd Street. She stated that she believed that the area was considered a private drive by the City and that ticketing should not occur. Mr. Bauer stated that Parking Services had been called to the area at Ms. Mosely’s request to ticket her neighbors in the area and that both parties received tickets for illegal parking. City Deputy Director of Planning and Economic Development Adam Fulton offered to assist Ms. Mosely following the meeting to help obtain clarification on how the referenced portion of the roadway is designated by City Engineering. City of Duluth Page 4