Parking Commission.

411 West First Street City of Duluth Duluth, Minnesota 55802 Minutes Parking Commission. Friday, March 1, 2024 7:30 AM Council Chambers, 3rd Floor, City Hall ROLL CALL Members Present • Antonio Davis • Mike Mayou • Branden Robinson, Vice President • Robert Woods, President • Mark Bauer, Ex Officio Members Absent • Brandon Van Tassel Guests Present • Nicole Barclay, Manager – Duluth Flame Nightclub • Carl Crawford, Human Rights Officer – City of Duluth • Ari Eilola, Duluth Operations Manager – Interstate Parking Company • Abigail Gannon, Bartender – Duluth Flame Nightclub APPROVAL OF MINUTES City of Duluth Parking Services Manager Mark Bauer presented the February 2024 Duluth Parking Commission meeting minutes for approval. Commission Vice President Branden Robinson motioned that the minutes be approved as presented. Commission President Robert Woods seconded the motion, which was approved 4-0. PUBLIC COMMENTS Duluth Flame Nightclub Manager Nicole Barclay stated that on certain nights, her business was being negatively impacted by the 10:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m. on-street parking prohibition that was put in place by the Duluth Police Department and Duluth Parking Commission to address criminal and nuisance activity in the downtown bars area. She stated that while the restriction was helpful on Friday and Saturday nights, it was unnecessary and detrimental to the Flame on the other five nights in the week. She stated that patrons sometimes had difficulty finding parking in close proximity to the business. She stated that the club has access to a small parking lot nearby but that it was utilized primarily by employees and was not convenient for customers. Ms. Barclay requested that the Commission consider keeping the restriction in place on Fridays and Saturdays but eliminating it on the other days. Mr. Bauer provided information that supported the restriction but stated that he would discuss the request with City officials and report back to the Commission on the internal group’s recommendation. Commissioner Mike Mayou requested that more detailed data be provided to the Commission that separates data for the days of the week so City of Duluth Page 1 Parking Commission. Minutes March 1, 2024 that an informed decision could be made. Commissioner Woods added that a more detailed breakout of the times of day of criminal/nuisance activity would be helpful. Mr. Bauer mentioned that there were off-street parking alternatives that could be utilized to reduce the need for on-street parking in the area. He also mentioned that the 2:00 a.m. to 6:00 a.m. parking restriction could not be altered due to street maintenance needs. ON-STREET ACCESSIBLE PARKING ZONE REQUESTS Mr. Bauer presented two on-street accessible parking zone requests for approval. He stated that he had visited the sites and consulted with the applicants and recommended that both be approved. Commissioner Robinson motioned that the request for 3008 Vernon Street be approved. Commissioner Mayou seconded the motion, which was approved 4-0. Commissioner Robinson motioned that the request for 2717 West 9th Street be approved. Commissioner Antonio Davis seconded the motion, which was approved 4-0. OFF-STREET PARKING UPDATE Interstate Parking Company Duluth Operations Manager Ari Eilola provided an update on off-street parking. He stated that installation of the pedestrian access control system at Hart District Ramp was in progress and that there would soon be a planned demolition of the building directly to the west of the 1st Street entrance to the facility. Mr. Bauer stated that last year the City had funded and completed installation of new vehicle and pedestrian barriers on the parking deck adjacent to the building in preparation for the demolition, as the building had previously served as such barriers. Mr. Bauer expressed the City’s condolences on Interstate Parking’s recently loss of Manager Ben Larson, who had passed away unexpectedly. He stated that Ben’s service to the public had been exemplary and that the City appreciated his hard work. Mr. Bauer provided updated numbers regarding parking facilities calls for service and reported incidents, which indicated a shift from Hart District Ramp to other facilities as the new access control system had been in progress. Commissioner Mayou inquired into the progress or plans for installation of facilities signage that would indicate that parking for up to four hours would be free for those displaying valid credentials. Mr. Bauer stated that this would be included in the upcoming facilities signage packages. Commissioner Robinson inquired whether the Commission could be provided more detailed security incidents numbers in future meetings. Mr. Bauer stated that he would work to provide those. Commissioner Woods asked specifically if there could be more detailed provided regarding the “unusual behavior” incident category. Commissioner Mayou inquired what could be done to address the problem of pigeon droppings in the parking facilities. Mr. Bauer stated that quotes had been received on cleanup and mitigation packages for this and a plan would be approved soon. Mr. Eilola stated that an enhanced reporting system for his team’s responses to reported on- and off-street parking issues was in the process of implementation. ON-STREET PARKING UPDATE Mr. Bauer stated that there were no significant updates regarding on-street parking. PUBLIC COMMENTS FOLLOW-UP City of Duluth Page 2 Parking Commission. Minutes March 1, 2024 There were no additional comments from the public. City of Duluth Page 3