Downtown Improvement Committee

Downtown Improvement Committee Meeting Minutes November 8, 2013 1. Call to Order and Welcome A regular meeting of the Nashua Downtown Improvement Committee was called to order at 7:38 a.m. on November 8, 2013 in Room 208, Nashua City Hall by Chairman Marylou Blaisdell. Present: Marylou Blaisdell, Rich Lannan, Alderman Mike Tabacsko, Tom Galligani, John Koutsos, Sy Mahfuz, Ron LaFleur Absent: Mayor Donnalee Lozeau, Ben Clemons, Alderman Jim Donchess Others Attending: George Durante, Alderman Barbara Pressley 2. Approval of Meeting Minutes from October 11, 2013 MOTION TO APPROVE THE MINUTES FROM THE OCTOBER 11, 2013 MEETING MADE BY T GALLIGANI. MOTION WAS SECONDED BY J KOUTSOS AND APPROVED UNANIMOUSLY. 3. Downtown Issues M Blaisdell remarked that complaints continue to come in about panhandling, public drunkenness, drugs, and people entering establishments to ask for money and not leaving. The President of the Greater Nashua Chamber of Commerce, Chris Williams, was given the floor to answer the Committee’s questions regarding the Chamber’s efforts in Downtown Nashua. C Williams proceeded to report on the Chamber’s observations of the Downtown, commenting that overall there is a negative perception of downtown and the number of businesses that are closing and moving out is adversely affecting the psyche of the area. C Williams cited the diminished presence of Great American Downtown for the void in marketing and advocacy for Downtown and said that the Chamber could step in and focus on converting anecdotal information into data. The findings would dictate the Chamber’s roll moving forward. C Williams offered the idea of forming a small group of businesses that have been in the area for an extended period of time to look at comparable downtowns to identify best practices for Nashua. He also suggested that there may be other businesses in these downtowns that may be able to be attracted to Nashua for expansion. C Williams clarified that he was not suggesting that things are currently being done wrong, just that they could be done better. C Williams added that he has seen and heard about the panhandling and inquired if there were more funds available for a greater downtown police presence. R Lannan responded that the Committee has been discussing this and that it has been attempted before. M Blasidell suggested that stores on her block are considering hiring private security. S Mahfuz suggested that the police chief be invited to speak with the Committee. T Galligani reminded the Committee that a similar discussion was held when the rash of robberies was occurring, but not much had resulted. C Williams asked what could be down about getting more funding. 1  M Blasidell handed out a parking meter revenue comparison spreadsheet. A discussion ensued regarding the parking revenue trends and T Galligani recommended that the Committee should us the parking revenues to complete the electronic parking meter conversion that has been started. R Lannan agreed that an increased police presence should come regardless of the parking revenue. M Tobacsko remarked that this may be a difficult conversation to have due to the current political situation. S Mahfuz stressed the importance of these meetings regardless of the political situation. M Blaisdell reported that the police do not have a presence downtown except for the third shift and reiterated that a presence is needed all of the time. J Koutsos disagreed that more police were the answer and that it is more a matter of getting stores to take better care of their property. He offered the example of stores being pitch black at night, which could be changed by utilizing LEDs, which are cost effective and would effectively eliminate the pockets of darkness along Main Street. R Lannan suggested that a meeting be held with all owners. J Koutsas expressed the need for funding to help pay for small storefront improvements like lights. T Galligani reminded the Committee about the availability of the Downtown Nashua Commercial Façade Improvement Program. C Williams Reported that he was aiming to release a survey for downtown businesses within two weeks, with a draft for review completed by this week. M Tobacsko requested that it include some of the issues that have been raised by J Koutsos. S Mahfuz asked if T Galligani could identify other comparable cities in the US to identify common sense solutions for our problems. R Lannan agreed that this was a good strategy. S Mahfuz viewed this as an opportunity to support whatever direction the Committee pursues. M Tobacsko revisited C Williams’ report on the negative perception of the Downtown and said that people need to hear about the good things that are happening. T Galligani commented that vacancy is less of an issue and it is more the quality and types of businesses in Downtown Nashua. Many businesses are undercapitalized and a good hard look has to be taken at these factors and other trends. 4. United Methodist Church Commercial Building R Lannan presented the news of the commercial building next to the United Methodist Church being scheduled for demolition. J Koutsos inquired about the City’s position on the matter. T Galligani responded that at first he was shocked at the situation because of the loss of jobs and space, but commented that the City is hoping to engage in making this the best public space possible and explore possible integrations with neighboring businesses. The City is working with the displaced businesses to aid with their relocation and possibly offering some funding to assist with their transition. 5. Parking Ordinances M Blaisdell raised the proposed ordinance to remove the parking meters on Quincy Street that is being discussed amongst the Board of Aldermen. M Blaisdell suggested that the Committee send a letter to the Board of Aldermen to recommend that the meters remain because residents have access to private parking and the complaints are presumed to be coming from the Post Office employees, a commercial establishment. M Blaisdell commented that the proposed ordinance sets a precedent that parking will be removed for businesses on one street, but all other businesses and their customers will continue to have to pay. T Galligani and M Tobacsko felt that this was a short sighted measure. M Tobacsko reasoned that there is demand for the spaces for commercial purposes, so why should parking fees be removed. He then rhetorically inquired that if the Quincy Street meters were removed, then why wouldn’t all parking in downtown be removed? M Tobacsko stated that he would be voting against the measure. M Blaisdell responded that she would be sending a letter to express her personal opinion on the matter. 2  MOTION TO PROCEED WITH SENDING A LETTER TO THE PRESIDENT OF THE BOARD OF ALDERMEN EXPRESSING THE DOWNTOWN IMPROVEMENT COMMITTTEES’ OPINION REGARDING THE REMOVAL OF THE QUINCY STREET PARKING METERS MADE BY S MAHFUZ. MOTION SECONDED BY R LANNAN AND APPROVED UNANIMOUSLY. 6. Other Business R Lannan asked for an update on the panhandling ordinance. T Galligani provided an update and reported that the Mayor is working with social service groups to explore the logistics for moving forward. M Tobacsko updated thCommittee that the Mayor’s reappointments have been made for expiring terms at the last Board of Alderman meeting. S Mahfuz informed the Committee that Dick Avard is getting upset about the meters behind his store. He then asked if meters could stop at 5 PM so that people would not have to leave. M Blaisdell responded that they will not have this problem after the two hour minimum is changed. S Mahfuz requested a list of free parking spots after 6 PM so that he can distribute it. The Committee thanked Alderman Tobacsko for his dedicated service to the Downtown Improvement Committee. M Blaisdell reported that M Tobacsko has been working diligently on restructuring the handicapped parking space in Downtown Nashua. Legal has expressed that a minimum of two hour parking is required. M Tobacsko stated that the ordinance language now reads that handicapped parking will be permitted for two hours in Zones 1 and 2, unlimited in Zone 3, and free of charge in all zones. 7. Next Meeting Date/ Adjournment The meeting was adjourned at 8:46 a.m. 3  /‘/,?/J3 &‘nZ’—*dcy! /O/.is/i! Cctt~.s> 72ecf7~ 0-13-058 ORDINANCE RESCINDING THE AUTHORIZATION FOR PARKING METERS ON QUINCY STREET CITY OF NASHUA In the Year Two Thousand and Thirteen The City of Nashua ordains that Part II “General Legislation”, Chapter 320 “Vehicles and Traffic”, Article XI “Parking Meters”, Section 320-51 “Parking meter streets”, subsection C of the Nashua Revised Ordinances, as amended, be hereby further amended by deleting the struck-through language as follows: ‘j 320-51. Parking meter streets. The following streets are designated as parking meter streets in the listed zones, and authority is hereby granted to install and maintain parking meters on these streets in appropriate locations: C. Zone III. Name of Street Side Location Quincy Street West Between East Pearl and Last Hollia Street” All ordinances or parts of ordinances inconsistent herewith are hereby repealed. This ordinance shall become effective upon passage.  LEGISLATIVE YEAR 2013 ORDINANCE: 0-13-058 PURPOSE: Rescinding the authorization for parking meters on Quincy Street ENDORSERS: Alderman-at-Large David W. Deane Alderman-at-Large Mark S. Cookson Alderman-at-Large Barbara Pressly Alderman Arthur T. Craffey, Jr. Alderman-at-Large James Donchess COMMITTEE ASSIGNMENT: FISCAL NOTE: Reduction in meter related revenue. Labor cost to remove meters. ANALYSIS This legislation removes the authorization for meters on Quincy Street between East Pearl Street and East Hollis Street. The meters are currently installed and operational. Approved as to form: Office of Corporation Counsel By: Date: ~ icc,, ;z~, ~ Michael Tabacsko From: Clarke, Dorothy [ClarkeD~nashuanh.govj Sent: Friday, October 11, 20135:01 PM To: Michael Tabacsko Cc: Legal Department Subject: Time Limits for Handicapped Parking Follow Up Flag: Follow up Flag Status: Flagged Hi Mike, Here is the research that I did on time limits for handicapped parking. As you can see, I originally did the research for AId. Melizzi Golja in May 2012, and then sent the same information to AId. Pressly recently when she also asked about it. Based on the Governor’s Commission on disability’s policy statement about time limits on accessible parking, it seems that they have an issue with any time limits of less than 2 hours. As you know, the city’s meters in Zone I have a90 minute parking time limit. And so your requested legislation to allow free handicapped parking, but only for the amount of time allowed in that zone would be an issue in zone I. I made a few suggestions for possible legislation in the next-to-last paragraph of my original email. Would either of these ideas be acceptable to you (and the Downtown Improvements Committee, if you want to discuss with them)? Thanks, Dory. From: Clarke, Dorothy Sent: Wednesday, September 18, 2013 11:54 AM To: ‘Barbara Pressly’ Cc: Bennett, Stephen; Leonard, Celia Subject: FW: Time Limits for Handicapped Parking Spaces Hello Barbara, As mentioned yesterday, here is my long and detailed email about handicapped placards and time limits. Dory. From: Clarke, Dorothy Sent: Thursday, May 24, 2012 4:43 PM To: ‘Mary Ann Melizzi-Golja’ Cc: Legal Department Subject: lime Limits for Handicapped Parking Spaces Hi Mary Ann — You asked us to look into the laws surrounding time limits for handicapped parking spaces. Here is what I have learned: Under state law, RSA 265:73 provides that any motor vehicle carrying special number plates issued to paraplegic, amputee or blind war veterans shall be allowed free parking time as long as the motor vehicle is under the direct control of the owner. So this limited group of people get free unlimited parking. RSA 265:74 provides that any motor vehicle with the walking disability plates or hanging windshield placard shall be allowed free parking, including at any city parking facility where a fee is charged, if the person who qualifies for the disability is being transported in the vehicle. However, the statute goes on to say that the city has the discretion to set the time periods using guidelines which shall be provided by the governor’s commission on disability. So this group of people is entitled to free parking at city meters and in 1 the garage, but the city can put a time limit on their use of the space (and in non-metered handicapped spaces, if within a metered zone.) I located the governor’s commission on disability’s Policy Statement for Time Limits on Accessible Parking Statements. Here it is in its entirety: “When there is a two-hour maximum time limit for municipal parking spaces, a two-hour maximum limit is a reasonable time limit for accessible parking spaces, provided that there are additional accessible parking spaces available within two (2) blocks of the accessible parking space. If there are no additional accessible parking spaces, a three-hour limit for the accessible parking spaces is recommended. If the maximum time limit exceeds two hours, a time limit of equal amount is reasonable for accessible parking spaces. If there is no time limit on municipal parking spaces, there shall be no time limit placed on accessible parking spaces. To avoid abuse of accessible parking spaces, a time limit is recommended, but only when a time limit is placed on all parking spaces. Approved June 20, 2006” Turning to the city ordinances, NRC 320-72 describes handicapped spaces, limits their use to vehicles with disability plates or placards, and lists locations of handicapped spaces on some city streets and in some city lots and garages. The ordinance does not put any time limits on any handicapped spaces, nor put any time limits on handicapped vehicles parking in metered spaces. NRO 320-47, B excepts handicapped spaces from the metered parking fee at the two parking garages. (I would say this language is unnecessary as the handicapped parking fee exemption is in state law.) The city has not explicitly chosen to exercise its allowed discretion under RSA 265:74 and set time periods for free handicapped parking. As you know, we have zones that allow 90 minutes, 2 hours, and unlimited. I think the only zone that would be an issue under the disability commission’s guidelines is the 90 minute zone. We could draft legislation (I recommend adding language to NRC 320-72) that limits free handicapped parking to 2 hours or whatever time limit is allowed in that space, whichever is longer. (Or another way of putting it would be that free handicapped parking is limited to the parking time limit in that parking zone, although it shall not be less than 2 hours.) Or I have heard (but not confirmed) that Manchester allows double the time for handicapped parking, so then they would be allowed 3 hours, 4 hours, and unlimited, if you want to give them a little more time. I will also let you know that both Aid. Pressly and AId. Sheehan have been to see me in the past few weeks with lists of potential changes to the downtown parking ordinances. AId. Sheehan said she did not favor parking time limits for handicapped vehicles; AId. Pressly thought it might be better to work with the state to make sure that the handicapped placard system was being effectively run and managed. So this issue has been on a number of people’s radar screens, I don’t know if you want to talk to any of them ahead of time, or if you’d like to submit some legislation and have that policy discussion at the committee level. Just let me know how you’d like to proceed, Thanks, Dory.