Parking Commission.

411 West First Street City of Duluth Duluth, Minnesota 55802 Minutes Parking Commission. Friday, July 12, 2024 7:30 AM Council Chambers, 3rd Floor, City Hall ROLL CALL Members Present • Antonio Davis • Mike Mayou • Andrew Paszak • Branden Robinson, Vice President • Brandon Van Tassel • Robert Woods, President • Mark Bauer, Ex Officio Guests Present • Ari Eilola, Duluth Operations Manager – Interstate Parking Company APPROVAL OF MINUTES City of Duluth Parking Services Manager Mark Bauer presented the June 2024 Duluth Parking Commission meeting minutes for approval. Commission Vice President Branden Robinson motioned that the minutes be approved as presented. Commissioner Brandon Van Tassel seconded the motion, which was approved 6-0. PUBLIC COMMENTS There were no comments during the initial Public Comments period. ON-STREET ACCESSIBLE PARKING ZONE REQUESTS Mr. Bauer presented three on-street accessible parking zone requests for approval. He stated that he had visited the sites and consulted with the Commission on Disabilities and the applicants. He recommended that all three requests be approved. Commissioner Robinson inquired into the site review process for the request for 902 Central Avenue, which featured an electric vehicle charging station in the driveway. He stated that careful consideration should be given at the Parking Services Division and Parking Commission level regarding situations in which homeowners are choosing to add infrastructure at their homes that impacts on-street parking. The Commissioners also discussed the zone request at 923 South Lake Avenue, pointing out that there were changes that could be made to the property that would allow the adjacent driveway to be used for accessible parking. Mr. Bauer stated that these types of items were routinely included in the site reviews but that the Commissioners’ point regarding consideration of all accessible parking options prior to recommendation of City of Duluth Page 1 Parking Commission. Minutes July 12, 2024 accessible parking zone requests was well-taken and would be valuable to consider in the future, especially as electric vehicle infrastructure continues to proliferate. Commissioner Mike Mayou motioned that the request for 923 South Lake Avenue be approved. Commission President Robert Woods seconded the motion, which was approved 6-0. Commissioner Mayou motioned that the request for 902 North Central Avenue be approved. Commissioner Woods seconded the motion, which was approved 6-0. Commissioner Woods motioned that the request for 3813 West 5th Street be approved. Commissioner Mayou seconded the motion, which was approved 6-0. PROPOSAL TO IMPLEMENT A LOADING ZONE AT 331 EAST 4TH STREET Mr. Bauer introduced a proposal to create a loading zone at 331 East 4th Street. He stated that the owner of a new business, Exclusive Detail Duluth LLC, had requested the zone to serve his needs. Mr. Bauer stated that there was an existing loading zone around the corner, on 4th Avenue East, that served the needs of the other business in the building, an automotive repair business. He stated that the proposed zone would be located directly west of the existing no parking here to corner signage that protected the sightlines at the nearby intersection. Commissioner Woods motioned that the proposal be approved. Commissioner Andrew Paszak seconded the motion, which was approved 6-0. OFF-STREET PARKING UPDATE Interstate Parking Company Duluth Operations Manager Ari Eilola provided an update on off-street parking. He stated that parking utilization related to the recent Grandma’s Marathon had been lower than expected, primarily due to less-than-ideal spectator weather. He stated that the pigeon mitigation initiative at the Hart District Ramp was complete and was functioning well. He stated that preparations were in progress for installation of the new access control system at Technology Village Ramp and that Medical District Ramp would soon follow, with an estimated completion of both systems installations in October 2024. He stated that several new accessible parking stalls had been added at Civic Center Ramp to accommodate customer needs, primarily related to the City of Duluth’s Workforce Center, which is located adjacent to the ramp. He stated that installation of Medical District Ramp’s accessible door opening at the facility’s lobbies would be completed in August 2024. Mr. Eilola stated that seasonal striping and pressure-washing of the parking ramps and lots was in progress. He stated that the stairwells and lobbies at Hart District Ramp were scheduled to be painted and seal-coated. Mr. Bauer stated that the new Medical District East Public Ramp would be inspected by the City on July 22 to determine if construction was substantially complete, after which the City would take ownership of the facility. Mr. Eilola stated that signage would be in place and that additional staff would be on-duty when the ramp opens to the public. He stated that the facility would include cash payment options. Commissioner Mayou thanked City staff and the parking operator for prioritizing accessible access in the parking facilities. ON-STREET PARKING UPDATE Mr. Bauer provided an update regarding on-street parking. He stated that the Parking Services Division was actively involved in the design of the new City of Duluth Page 2 Parking Commission. Minutes July 12, 2024 streetscape in the Lincoln Park business district, which had reached the final design stage of the project. Commissioner Mayou inquired whether the Parking Division was involved in the planning of upcoming changes to Snow Emergency operations. Mr. Bauer stated that he was actively involved in the planning and was supportive of the changes. Commissioner Mayou inquired whether the Parking Division was aware of and working on a resident’s concerns with recent parking enforcement in the Jay Street area of Lakeside. Mr. Bauer stated the he was aware of the item and that parking staff were working toward a solution. Commissioner Woods inquired whether the Parking Division was aware of and involved in upcoming St. Louis County changes to 40th Avenue West that would eliminate some on-street parking. Mr. Bauer stated that he was aware of this item and involved in discussions. PUBLIC COMMENTS FOLLOW-UP There were no additional comments from the public. City of Duluth Page 3