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Home My WebLink About08-17-06 Parking Commission Minutes Bozeman Parking Commission Meeting August 17, 2006 Parking Commissioners in Attendance: Chris Pope Larry Bowman Paul Burns Pam Bryan Steve Schnee City Staff in Attendance: Karen Semerau Laurae Clark Rich McLane Andy Epple Guests in Attendance: Thomas Mosser Camden Easterling Paul Reichert Chris Pope called the meeting to order. Rich McLane reported on the parking situation. He stated that Kathy Ham has not been patrolling at MSU, but has been re-directed to cover other parking enforcement and complaints in other areas. A new officer, Karen Sulheim, started last week and is in the training process. He stressed that he doesn’t see the number of tickets issued as a measure of success. He wants consistency and an open personality and good judgment in dealing with the parking in downtown. They are interviewing one more person for the other open slot within the week. Once a new officer is hired there will be Monday thru Saturday enforcement. On Saturday initially it will be a lot of warnings till the public is aware that there is enforcement downtown on that day. Steve asked if we should provide some notice to business owners about the improved outlook on parking enforcement and Saturday enforcement. A few business owners are very upset with lack of enforcement. Paul Reichert stated a newsletter will be going out next week to the downtown business owners, and he would add that in. Rich asked that he also remind owners that they may certainly call in complaints to the non-emergency dispatch line 582-2000 and those would be assigned to the next available officer by dispatch. And, he offered to list his email address in the newsletter as well for owners to contact him with any issues if they so wish. Rich also asked that he be informed of any issues that the commission may be receiving so he can follow up on them. He also discussed a complaint (letter) from a Wal-Mart customer regarding the enforcement of the handicap and fire-lanes at Wal-Mart. He wanted the commission to be aware of the complaint should they get any feedback and assured them he was investigating and following up on it. th Chris Pope played a taped portion of the City Commission Meeting from August 14 regarding the discussion of the sale of the Armory Lot. A number of references were made to the parking commission throughout the discussion and he wanted all the commissioners to be aware of the conversation and the issues and questions they posed. Karen Semerau, on Chris Kukulski’s behalf, presented a packet of information related to the commission discussion and buy/sell agreement being proposed. She stated that the Meeting Date is inaccurate on the memorandum provided; it was compiled yesterday— th August 16. The Memorandum, which is in draft form, is Chris’s recommendations regarding the Buy Sell Agreement to the City Commission—similar to a counter offer. st Initially a follow-up discussion was to be held on August 21 at the next City Commission meeting, but that has now been pulled off due to a very busy agenda and th will be rescheduled to August 28 or thereafter. She wanted to make sure the parking commission was aware of the TIF reference in item #4 on Page 2 of the Memorandum. That negotiating point would guarantee a minimum of a tax revenue stream to the TIF which could help fund the lost public parking spaces. The commission discussed the pros and cons of this proposal. Chris K.’s proposal doesn’t replace the 28 parking spaces, only provides cash from the sale of the lot and future TIF revenues to replace the lost parking spaces. The lot in question is 11,585 sq ft. The appraised value may not create any more cash than what was originally proposed in the buy-sell as replacement cost of the lots. And, that cash would most likely be absorbed by the parking garage and would leave that area of Bozeman with a void in parking. Larry was not comfortable with eliminating the spaces. We can’t replace those spaces for the appraisal cost of the land. The Parking Commission asked that Karen take back to Chris K. that they would like to continue the discussion with him next week if possible. Steve would like to know what this project could potentially add in tax dollars and TIF funds. Paul Burns stated that he sees a real need for a parking manager for the City. Someone who is on top of the budget, inventory, manages the lots, garage, etc. and is aware of the parking issues and serves as a liaison between the parking commission and the City Manager and City Commission. He sees the need now to assist in the building and managing of the garage—not after the garage is built and development takes place and becomes a real problem, but someone who can get out in front and manage these issues from the beginning. It was frustrating to him (and all the Parking Commissioners) that they were not aware of this issue before it was presented to the City Commission and had no representation in that discussion. He believes this position is essential and needs to be proposed to the City Manager sooner rather than later and figure out how to fund it. Karen is going to bring back to Chris K. the Commissions questions and comments and th try to schedule a meeting with Chris on Thursday, August 24. Chris Pope reminded the Commission that this was Paul Reichert’s last meeting as he is st resigning as of September 1 from the DBA and wanted to recognize Paul for all his hard work, input and effort over the last few years. Andy Epple stated that he needs the Parking Commission & City Commission to give the okay before a development of a City-owned parking lot in downtown is presented to the Planning Office. In regards to the Armory lot, his recommendation is to have the 28 spaces replaced plus develop additional parking they need for their development. Thomas Mosser commented that he is very frustrated—he is hearing two different things. At two meetings both he and another developer were told that the Parking Commission would be supportive of a 1 to 1 replacement of parking. Jeff Rupp is saying that no, the Parking Commission want to replace parking an increased rate, and Chris Pope stated to the paper that yes, that was correct. Jeff was not at those last two meetings, is not aware of what was discussed and should not be insinuating that a 1 to 1 ratio would not be acceptable. Chris Pope apologized and said, yes, he had misrepresented the Parking Commission’s stance on that subject to the paper. Pam reminded him that it was just brought to their attention that a City Ordinance may not allow for even a 1 to 1 replacement, but that the land must be sold for cash at the appraised value. Their recommendation may not work because they were unaware of this ordinance during their prior meetings. Chris stated the lots have never been for sale. The approval they gave at the prior meetings was appropriate at the time. The buy-sell agreement presented brings a completely new issue and complexity to the table. Andy reminded Thomas and the Parking Commission that this board is an advisory board. The final decision will be made by the City Commission regardless of what the Parking Commission recommends. Chris acknowledged Thomas’s frustrations and stated he would like to see some general guidelines developed in the future. Steve Schnee stated that one large factor on how any buy-sell would be reviewed is on the ability of the developer to perform. He also had some general questions on the EAL’s and asked who is monitoring those budgets and ensuring the funds are being spent appropriately. Laurae stated she would try to get an update from the Finance Dept. at the next meeting. Meeting adjourned @ 9:07. Respectfully submitted, Laurae Clark City of Bozeman Treasurer