Mobile GR Commission Meeting

Mobile GR Commission 50 Ottawa Ave. NW Minutes Packet Grand Rapids, MI 49503 March 3, 2022 @ 12:00 PM Mobile GR and Parking Services Conference Room I. Call to Order The meeting was called to order at 12:00 PM by Chairperson Lynee Wells PRESENT: Jones, Wells, Judd, Winn, Monoyios, Mathis, Patton, Parkes, Nyenhuis, Bennett, Kasper, Gilles, Terpstra, Miguel-Cipriano, Kimura, Anderson ABSENT: Lunger (Excused), Clark (Excused), Naramore (Excused), Batzer (Excused), DeLong (Excused) II. Approval of Minutes Approval of Minutes from February 3, 2022 RESULT: ACCEPTED [UNANIMOUS] YEAS: Jones, Wells, Judd, Winn, Monoyios, Mathis, Patton, Parkes, Nyenhuis EXCUSED: Josh Lunger, Craig Clark III. Public Comment on Agenda Items IV. Action Items 1. Resolution by the Mobile GR Commission to approve amendments to the Residential Parking Permit Policy • Erin Evenhouse and Justin Kimura summarize the RPP Policy Updates Action Item. • Commissioners express thanks to staff for their work on this item. RESULT: APPROVED [UNANIMOUS] MOVER: Richard Winn, Vice Chair SECONDER: Joseph D. Jones, Comm YEAS: Jones, Wells, Judd, Winn, Monoyios, Patton, Parkes, Nyenhuis ABSENT: Kris Mathis EXCUSED: Josh Lunger, Craig Clark V. Discussions 1. Mobility Pilot Projects (Presentation) Generated 4/27/2022 10:30 AM Mobile GR Commission Meeting Full Page 2 March 3, 2022 • Justin Kimura and Erin Evenhouse summarize the Mobility Pilot Projects discussion item. • Commissioners thank Evenhouse and staff for their work on the item. • Commissioners also express support for the Mobility Pilot Projects and the future of the project. 2. Traffic Calming Program Update (Presentation) • John Bartlett summarizes the Traffic Calming Program Update discussion item. • Commissioner Jones expresses the desire for more traffic calming measures. • Commissioner Monoyios suggests that the traffic calming budget be increased. • Justin Kimura responds that the the recent increase in funds allows for staff to choose many different options for traffic calming devices, and the budget currently doesn’t restrict them. • Commissioner Winn suggests that to in an effort to incorporate traffic calming, we should eliminate as many one-way streets as we can. • Bartlett responds that it is difficult outside of downtown, because of resident parking on both sides of a one-way street. Regarding downtown, changing streets such as Ottawa and Fountain to two-way is under discussion. • Kimura states that it is an intertwined network and making changes from one-way to two-way is complex and difficult, but staff is navigating through it. • Commissioner Wells voices support, specifically mentioning Ottawa, in changing streets from one-way to two-way. Commissioner Wells also points out that the Mobile GR budget has not been presented and asks for the Commission to be brought up to speed on the budget conversation. • Kimura responds that the department has recently presented their budget to the City Manager, who will then prepare to propose his budget to the City Commission. Kimura states that since it is a continuation budget not much was changed from the previous years budget, as income is projected to be similar. • Commissioner Wells asks if department budgets are usually seen by bodies such as the Mobile GR Commission before they are presented to the City Manager. • Kimura responds that the Mobile GR Commission can give input on workplans and priorities, but the specific details of the budget are between the departments and the City Manager. • Commissioner Mathis adds that he would like to get input from the community and the residents around the one-way streets on potential changes. 3. Justin Kimura Departure • Commissioners express thanks and good will toward Justin Kimura on his departure. VI. Updates 1. March 2022 Project Updates Generated 4/27/2022 10:30 AM Mobile GR Commission Meeting Full Page 3 March 3, 2022 VII. Public Comment on Other Matters • Annika Jaros states that they are a senior at the Museum High School. Jaros says that they drive to school, along with many others, since Grand Rapids Public Schools (GRPS) does not have bussing at the high school level. Jaros states that because of being downtown and other constraints, parking for students was not provided. There is a teacher parking lot across the street and overflow spaces for teachers in a nearby church parking lot, but due to limited spots none are provided to students. Jaros says that students are left to park in residential areas. Jaros states that their dad spoke to Larry Johnson, who oversees public safety and security at the district, and Johnson acknowledged that parking was a concern, but due to downtown restrictions there was no solution. Jaros says that after hearing many students express their concern about walking to school from nearby neighborhoods, Jaros collaborated with the school principal to conduct a survey. Jaros received 31 responses out of 120 students in total. Jaros states that 65% of students who drive and filled out the survey said they felt unsafe walking to school. Mostly because of the icy conditions, but also because of the dark mornings in winter months and passing unknown people on the walk. Jaros states they spoke to the City in November and was told they could purchase a State Street permit at $48 dollars per month. Jaros states that the survey data showed that 50% of students that filled out the survey thought $10-$15 per month was a reasonable price. Jaros states that other GRPS students pay a $15 yearly fee for parking, and that inner city students should not be put at a disadvantage for choosing a unique school. Jaros proposes a few solutions, first to offer State Street permits to students for a reduced price. Second, to turn the coin units on Jefferson into GRPS designated parking zones during school hours. Third, make Washington into a one-way to allow for designated parking for students. VIII. Adjournment The meeting was closed at 1:05 PM Generated 4/27/2022 10:30 AM