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HomeMy WebLinkAbout07-08-15 BPC MinutesBozeman Parking Commission Meeting July 8th, 2015 7:30 a.m. Madison Room Parking Commissioners in Attendance: Ryan Olson Dennis Bechtold Pam Bryan Kelly Wiseman Ben Lloyd Chris Naumann Ben Bennett City Staff in Attendance: Laurae Clark, Treasurer Kristen Pitcher, Parking Clerk Chuck Winn, Assistant City Manager Thomas Thorpe, Parking Manager Heather Davis, Community Development Guests in Attendance: Tanya Koelzer-43 W. Main (Cannery) Bob Fletcher-39 W. Main (Burger Bobs) Marly McKenna-35 W. Main Dave Rabinowitz-33 W. Main Erik Nelson-122 W. Main Action Items: I. Call to order, 7:30 a.m. Ryan called the meeting to order at 7:30am II. Introduce Kristen Pitcher, Parking Clerk Heather Davis was also introduced as a liaison from Community Development. She will be attending meetings to help ensure cohesiveness with their department. III. Disclosures of Ex Parte Communication No changes to the agenda. V. Approval of June 2015 minutes Kelly made a motion to approve the June minutes, which was seconded by Chris. The minutes were approved unanimously. VI. Public Comment – State name & address, limit comments to 3 min. (Tana Koelzer) 43 W. Main (Cannery). She expressed her concern regarding the staging of construction for the Etha and the 5 West project. She is worried that downtown customers, employees, and people living downtown will not have any place to park. The alley way is used heavily for delivery trucks. She would like the BPC to consider not closing both of the parking lots at the same time. (Bob Fletcher) 39 W. Main (Burger Bobs). He also expanded on the concerns the impact of the construction of these two projects will have on downtown businesses. Downtown has always had a parking problem. He wants to see projects create new parking. (Dave Rabinowitz) 33 W. Main. He expressed his concern on how delivery trucks would be able to park to drop off deliveries—deliveries can take up to 45 minutes at times to unload. (Marly McKenna) 35 W. Main. Her biggest concern was with the alley closure. She asked if there was any way they could just close either the alley or the lot at one time, not both. Erik Nelson-122 W. Main. He stated he was just here to listen. VII. Construction Staging in Armory and North Willson Lots—ACTION Tom stated that on July 20, 2015 the Etha will be closing down the armory parking lot to start work. They have posted a sign to notify customers that this will be happening. They anticipate that it will be closed for 18 months. Mendenhall will not be permanently closed. It will have occasional temporary closures for material deliveries, only long enough to get things loaded and unloaded. Chuck explained the parking requirements for developers. They must obtain encroachment permits. Etha has obtained a licensing agreement for the closing of the parking lot for staging of the construction project. The sidewalk around the parking lot will also be closed. Compromise between the developer and surrounding businesses is essential. The hotel has agreed to buy parking permits for their construction workers and employees of neighboring business to use for the duration of the construction to help alleviate the impact of less immediate parking due to the closure. Bob asked if the Etha would be closing the alley and again expressed his displeasure at the continual loss of parking spaces for customers. Chuck confirmed that they would be closing the west side of the alley. Chris clarified that 5 West will be building 60-70 parking spaces in the basement of their new building. At this time they do not have building permits and site plan approval. 5 West has requested the closure of the North Willson lot for staging in a letter issued June 17, 2015. Dennis asked for more information on the timing of the project and what other options might be available for staging. Kelly and Pam agreed they needed more information before they could make a decision on that request. Ryan suggested that we need to look at the overall big picture, as the Parking Commission will be closing lots for re-design in the future as well. Pam suggested we look into replacement parking like what was done for the construction of the parking garage. Chris reminded everyone of the long term picture. Our downtown is experiencing a tremendous amount of economic development activity. Construction is painful. Those private investments do pay off in the end. Chuck summed up that the Parking Commission would like further information including a detailed timeline, benefits of the project, and staging alternatives from the developer before making a decision. VIII. Parking Lot Redesign Update The parking lot designs have been narrowed down to a preferred alternative for each lot. We will lose some spaces. We are still waiting for the storm water designs to be added. They will bring back perspective drawings. Chris said the asked the Community Development Department if the bump outs could be eliminated as an agency exemption or could we be given a variance. Kelly suggested the UDO code be re-written to allow for changes for urban re-development. He went on to explain that Ashley Furniture was not required to make those changes as they were told it was not a significant change of use. Parking lot to parking lot is not a change of use. Why are we required to add those? Chris suggested we help take some leadership and give direction for those changes. IX. Comprehensive Parking Plan Update Rick Williams and Associates out of Portland has been selected to develop a comprehensive parking plan. The scope of work is being clarified at this time. Once that has been completed and approved by the City Commission, they will begin. We are hopeful that they will be starting within a few weeks and then get a draft of the plan to us in December. They should be able to provide us some great numbers to help with our garage lease policy. MSU & the City are drafting a master plan for transportation—these consultants will talk with them. X. Revised Garage Lease Policy Update Chuck stated that the lease policy changes will require that the Parking Commission receive20% of the contract at the time they sign the lease and 100% when they start construction. Etha has not paid anything to date. The letter of intent is going to be removed. While he would like to get this in front of the City Commission, Chuck is hoping to stall the process to allow time for the consultant to review the math for the leased spaces in the garage. It would give us validation that our process is sound. XI. New business Kelly asked about the status of the roof on the garage? Chris stated that we have drawings from Prugh & Lenon, but Dick Prugh is retiring and we will need to find another architect and engineer to take it a biddable document. And then, take it out for bid and figure out how to fund it. BPC could possible pursue an Intercap loan to help pay for it. Tom was given direction to pursue options for this moving forward. An RFQ is required for projects over $20,000. Pam had been asked a question by an existing leaseholder in the basement of the garage. Can they pay more for a designated spot? The answer is no, due to the federal funding of the garage we are not allowed to assign designated spots. It was suggested though, that the valet spaces for the garage could be number in the back of the basement to keep the front ones open for regular leaseholders. Ben asked if the discussions that occurred during the meeting today with the public were okay? The public comment policy states the public may speak but the commission does not need to engage in a discussion at that time. He stated if felt better to be able to allow discussion. Chuck stated the presiding officer can allow or not allow as they feel is most productive. Tom reviewed the manager’s report. XII. Adjournment Pam made the motion to adjourn which was seconded by Dennis. The meeting adjourned at 9:33 am. Respectfully Submitted Kristen Pitcher, Parking Clerk