Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout11-09-22 Sustainability Advisory Board Agenda and Packet MaterialsA.Call to Order - 6:00 PM B.Disclosures C.Changes to the Agenda D.Approval of Minutes D.1 Approve the October 12, 2022 Sustainability Board Meeting Minutes(Chipouras) E.Public Comments This is the time to comment on any matter falling within the scope of the Sustainability Board. There will also be time in conjunction with each agenda item for public comment relating to that item but you may only speak once. Please note, the Board cannot take action on any item which does not appear on the agenda. All persons addressing the Board shall speak in a civil and courteous manner and members of the audience shall be respectful of others. Please state your name and place of residence in an audible tone of voice for the record and limit your comments to THE SUSTAINABILITY BOARD OF BOZEMAN, MONTANA SB AGENDA Wednesday, November 9, 2022 This meeting will be held both in-person and also using Webex, an online videoconferencing system. You can join this meeting: Via this Webex Link Click the Register link, enter the required information, and click submit. Click Join Now to enter the meeting. Via Phone: This is for listening only if you cannot watch the stream, channel 190, or attend in-person United States Toll +1-650-479-3208 Access code: 2553 879 7843 If you are interested in commenting in writing on items on the agenda please send an email to agenda@bozeman.net prior to 12:00pm on the day of the meeting. Public comments will be accepted in-person during the appropriate agenda items. You may also comment by visiting the Commission's comment page. You can also comment by joining the Webex meeting. If you do join the Webex meeting, we ask you please be patient in helping us work through this hybrid meeting. As always, the meeting will be streamed through the Commission's video page and available in the City on cable channel 190. 1 three minutes. General public comments to the Board can be found on their Laserfiche repository page. F.Special Presentations F.1 Transportation Demand Management Special Presentation(Mastel) G.FYI/Discussion G.1 Food System Stakeholder and Priority Mapping Work Session (Wright/Meyer) G.2 Parking Supply and Demand Management Work Session(Veselik) H.Adjournment For more information please contact Jon Henderson, jon.henderson@bozeman.net General information about the Sustainability Board can be found in our Laserfiche repository. This board generally meets on the second Wednesday of the month 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm. Citizen Advisory Board meetings are open to all members the public. If you have a disability and require assistance, please contact our ADA coordinator, Mike Gray at 406-582-3232 (TDD 406-582-2301). In order for this Board to receive all relevant public comment in time for this meeting, please submit via the Commission Comment Page or by emailing agenda@bozeman.net no later than 12:00 PM on the day of the meeting. Public comment may be made in person at the meeting as well. 2 Memorandum REPORT TO:Sustainability Board FROM:Ali Chipouras, Sustainability Program Specialist Natalie Meyer, Sustainability Program Manager Jon Henderson, Strategic Services Director SUBJECT:Approve the October 12, 2022 Sustainability Board Meeting Minutes MEETING DATE:November 9, 2022 AGENDA ITEM TYPE:Citizen Advisory Board/Commission RECOMMENDATION:Approve the October 12, 2022 Sustainability Board Meeting Minutes STRATEGIC PLAN:1.1 Outreach: Continue to strengthen and innovate in how we deliver information to the community and our partners. BACKGROUND:In accordance with Commission Resolution 5323 and the City of Bozeman's Citizen Advisory Board Manual, all Boards must have minutes taken and approved. Prepared minutes will be provided for approval by the board at the next scheduled meeting. Staff will make any corrections identified to the minutes before submitting it to the City Clerk's Office. UNRESOLVED ISSUES:None. ALTERNATIVES:As recommended by the Board. FISCAL EFFECTS:None. Attachments: 10-12-22 Sustainability Advisory Board Minutes.pdf Report compiled on: November 4, 2022 3 Bozeman Sustainability Advisory Board, 10/12/2022 Page 1 of 3 THE SUSTAINABILITY ADVISORY BOARD OF BOZEMAN, MONTANA MINUTES October 12, 2022 This meeting will be held both in-person and also using Webex, an online videoconferencing system. You can join this meeting: Via this Webex link Click the Register link, enter the required information, and click submit. Click Join Now to enter the meeting. Via Phone: This is for listening only if you cannot watch the stream, channel 190, or attend in-person United States Toll+1-650-479-3208Access code: 2552 303 8936 A) 00:01:07 Call to Order - 6:00 PM Present: Isabel Shaida, Matt Thompson, Emma Bode, Rebecca Kurnick, Kristin Blackler Absent: Lumay Murphy, Terry Cunningham B) 00:03:35 Disclosures • There were no disclosures. C) 00:03:51 Changes to the Agenda • There were no changes to the agenda D) 00:03:59 Public Service Announcements • Strategic Services Director Jon Henderson provided a public service announcement that there is a vacant position on the Sustainability Citizen Advisory Board. The application will be open until October 21, 2022. E) 00:04:45 Approval of Minutes E.1 Approve the September 14, 2022 Sustainability Board Meeting Minutes. 09-14-2022 Sustainability Advisory Board Minutes.pdf 00:05:26 Motion to amend E) Approval of Minutes 4 Bozeman Sustainability Advisory Board, 10/12/2022 Page 2 of 3 Isabel Shaida: Motion Kristin Blackler: 2nd 00:05:26 Vote on the Motion to amend E) Approval of Minutes The Motion carried 5 - 0. Approve: Isabel Shaida Matt Thompson Emma Bode Rebecca Kurnick Kristin Blackler Disapprove: None F) 00:05:38 Public Comments • There were no public comments. G) 00:06:42 Special Presentations G.1 00:06:40 Urban Transportation District Special Presentation 202221012 – Sustainability Advisory Board – Urban Transportation District • Heather Grenier and Sunshine Ross from the Human Resource Development Council (HRDC) presented on HRDC’s public transit program and how an Urban Transportation District would allow HRDC to continue managing the operation, infrastructure, and activities of a public transportation system. H) 00:48:22 FYI/Discussion • Strategic Services Director Jon Henderson provided an FYI that the Bozeman City Commission is having work sessions on a pilot program for composting and the UDC overhaul related to zoning districts on October 18th. • Sustainability Specialist Ali Chipouras provided an FYI that the heat pump water heater training hosted in partnership with NEEA, NorthWestern Energy, and Pacific Plumbing was a success. • Emma Bode provided an FYI that the Interfaith Power and Light is hosting a fall speaker series called Intergeneration Advocacy for a Livable Climate. Learn more at montanaipl.org H.1 00:59:54 Community and Neighborhood Resilience Programming Work Session 20221012 – Sustainability Advisory Board – Community and Neighborhood Resilience Programming Work Session • Sustainability Specialist Ali Chipouras presented on community and neighborhood resiliency programming related to wildfire smoke and heat outreach. The board followed up with questions and suggestions. H) 01:50:14 Adjournment For more information please contact Jon Henderson, jon.henderson@bozeman.net General information about the Sustainability Board can be found in our Laserfiche repository. 5 Bozeman Sustainability Advisory Board, 10/12/2022 Page 3 of 3 6 Memorandum REPORT TO:Sustainability Board FROM:Jon Henderson, Strategic Services Director SUBJECT:Transportation Demand Management Special Presentation MEETING DATE:November 9, 2022 AGENDA ITEM TYPE:Citizen Advisory Board/Commission RECOMMENDATION:Transportation Demand Management Special Presentation STRATEGIC PLAN:6.3 Climate Action: Reduce community and municipal Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions, increase the supply of clean and renewable energy; foster related businesses. BACKGROUND:Solution J of the Bozeman Climate Plan calls for an increase in walking, bicycling, carpooling, and use of transit. Candace Mastel, City of Bozeman Transportation Demand Management (TDM) Coordinator, will provide a brief presentation on the City's TDM efforts, including a Work Plan for the 2022/23 fiscal year that will address the following actions listed in the Climate Plan: Action 4.J.1 Prioritize Regional Multi-Modal Planning and Connectivity Action 4.J.2 Pursue Innovative Funding for Pedestrian and Bicycle Connections and Network Action 4.J.5 Support Trip Reduction Programs and Transportation Demand Management Additional information will be shared regarding the City's commitment to transportation safety, including current efforts to improve physical infrastructure, update policies, increase policing, and elevate promotional awareness of a safe transportation system for all users. UNRESOLVED ISSUES:None. ALTERNATIVES:As suggested by the Sustainability Citizen Advisory Board. FISCAL EFFECTS:None. Report compiled on: November 4, 2022 7 Memorandum REPORT TO:Sustainability Board FROM:Jon Henderson, Strategic Services Director SUBJECT:Food System Stakeholder and Priority Mapping Work Session MEETING DATE:November 9, 2022 AGENDA ITEM TYPE:Citizen Advisory Board/Commission RECOMMENDATION:Food System Stakeholder and Priority Mapping Work Session STRATEGIC PLAN:6.3 Climate Action: Reduce community and municipal Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions, increase the supply of clean and renewable energy; foster related businesses. BACKGROUND:Solution N. of the Bozeman Climate Plan highlights the critical importance of a robust local food system to reduce emissions while supporting a more equitable and resilient community. Developing all facets of a local food system, including but not limited to food production, access, processing, distribution, sales, resiliency and security, waste, education, and natural resources requires further stakeholder mapping, partnership building, and priority mapping. To effectively guide this solution, City staff, the Sustainability Citizen Advisory Board, and the Bozeman City Commission wish to more fully understand the local food landscape including key players, assets, challenges & opportunities, local food system entities' (business, non-profit, individual) perspectives on the appropriate role for the City, and input on the associated actions: 6.N.1 Support the Formation of a Local Food Council 6.N.2 Help Develop a Food System Assessment and Security Plan 6.N.3 Encourage Local Agriculture and Preservation of Working Lands 6.N.4 Support Local Food Production, Processing, and Distribution The scope of this effort will include a review of relevant City plans/documents to identify existing practices and additional goals that may be served through the cultivation of a robust local food system in addition to identifying issues and opportunities by conducting interviews with active food system entities, such as: Producers Processors 8 Distributors Small business/food entrepreneurs Retail/grocers Restaurant/catering professionals Food bank/food assistance Compost/waste management Nutrition/health professionals Institutional culinary professionals Education (pre-K, K-12, informal/experiential educators) Research and higher education Government (Extension, City, County) Agricultural organizations (AGAI, FFA, 4-H) Conservation professionals (TPL, GVLT, etc) Economic development (Prospera, etc) Concerned/engaged community members (diverse representatives, faith- based advocates) Outcomes include shared learning that is summarized in a written report with a 'map' of food system entities and assets; a synthesis of key challenges, opportunities, and priorities; and a synthesis of perspective on the appropriate role for the City of Bozeman to advance Solution N. Kate Wright, independent consultant and chair of the Open & Local Coalition, along with Natalie Meyer, City of Bozeman's Sustainability Division Program Manager, will provide a brief presentation on the City's approach to cultivating a robust local food system. The Sustainability Citizen Advisory Board will provide input to staff on food system stakeholders and recommendations moving forward, as described within Item 5 of the adopted Work Plan with the following guiding questions: Is this the right approach? What questions/suggestions do you have? Who do you feel are people/entities we should prioritize for interviews? UNRESOLVED ISSUES:None. ALTERNATIVES:As suggested by the Sustainability Citizen Advisory Board. FISCAL EFFECTS:The Sustainability Division has $20,000 allocated in FY23 to support this effort. Report compiled on: November 4, 2022 9 Memorandum REPORT TO:Sustainability Board FROM:Jon Henderson, Strategic Services Director SUBJECT:Parking Supply and Demand Management Work Session MEETING DATE:November 9, 2022 AGENDA ITEM TYPE:Citizen Advisory Board/Commission RECOMMENDATION:Parking Supply and Demand Management Work Session STRATEGIC PLAN:6.3 Climate Action: Reduce community and municipal Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions, increase the supply of clean and renewable energy; foster related businesses. BACKGROUND:Action 4.J.7 of the Bozeman Climate Plan calls for leveraging parking policies to encourage other modes of transportation. The attached memo provides a thorough description of the proposed solutions. Mike Veselik, City of Bozeman Parking Manager, will provide a brief presentation on parking supply and demand management. The Sustainability Citizen Advisory Board will be asked to provide feedback to staff with the following guiding questions: Does the proposed parking supply and demand management tool (i.e., paid parking) in downtown Bozeman help achieve the City's sustainability goals in the Climate Plan? Are there any additional components that should be addressed as it relates to the City's climate goals? UNRESOLVED ISSUES:None. ALTERNATIVES:As suggested by the Sustainability Citizen Advisory Board. FISCAL EFFECTS:None. Attachments: Sustainability Board Parking Supply and Demand Work Session.pdf Report compiled on: November 4, 2022 10 11 Page 1 of 6 MEMORANDUM REPORT TO: Bozeman Sustainability Board FROM: Jon Henderson, Strategic Services Director Mike Veselik, Economic Development Program Manager RE: Parking Supply and Demand Management Work Session MEETING DATE: November 9, 2022 AGENDA ITEM: Work Session RECOMMENDATION: Provide input to staff on the proposed parking supply and demand management tools (i.e. paid parking) in downtown Bozeman to help achieve the City’s sustainability goals in the Climate Plan. BACKGROUND: On February 1, 2022, Staff presented a proposal to the City Commission relating to the management of parking in Downtown Bozeman. The proposal was a recommendation to pursue a policy of active curb management through paid parking. Staff recommended a seasonal paid parking model. The seasonal model created an on-street paid parking system from May 1-Spetember 30th of each year. The seasonal model rates are $1.75 per hour for on-street parking and $1.00 per hour in the garage. Staff recommended the seasonal model because it assessed charges on the system when demand was at its peak. The main factor driving the summer peak in parking demand is Montana’s robust tourism economy. The model also took into consideration the supply side of the parking equation. Using a seasonal, cost plus model, staff and our consultants concluded the City will raise enough revenue to contribute the remaining $9 million of a $16 million 400 space parking garage. Further, the City has options to finance additional supply including, but not limited to, an expansion of the Bridger Garage or a third parking garage with surplus on-street paid parking revenue. Well managed, on-street paid parking in downtown Bozeman provides staff, the Transportation Advisory Board, and the City Commission with a proven tool to manage a scare resource—parking supply in downtown. Pricing the on-street parking system is basic economics. We have an unbalanced supply and demand equation at the moment. As any business owner or economist would acknowledge, when a good or service is scarce, it is appropriate to raise the price on said good to 12 Page 2 of 6 lower demand. Putting a price on parking creates an incentive to turnover the most valuable spaces for the primary use of customers and visitors and encourages employees and other long-term visitors to park in structures or surface lots, or take an alternative mode of transportation to access downtown while generating the revenue to cover debt service payments to construct new supply. CITY COMMISSION ACTION: After a healthy debate and public comment, the City Commission directed the City Manager to complete a few tasks and conduct some research before the Commission would make a decision on whether or not to pursue on-street, paid parking. Those tasks include: 1. Identify the revenue potential of a year round model 2. Secure Site Control for a Second Garage 3. Establish Parking Benefit Zones 4. Research grants to fund future supply 5. Additional Engagement with the Downtown Community on Paid Parking 6. Research an Employee Parking Program 7. Research Downtown-Midtown-Cannery Circulator—cost and operations Below are the items from assigned to staff that are relevant to the Sustainability Board. Year-round parking revenue: Under the cost plus model, the parking system is projected to generate $2.47 million in revenue, minus an estimated $571,000 for operating costs every year. The City will have $1.9 million to spend on debt service for additional parking supply, bike and pedestrian infrastructure improvements, employee parking programs, and any other policy initiative with a rational nexus to parking. Staff is also exploring a year-round and a seasonal option for on-street paid parking which would retain the two hours free in the garage. Downtown Engagement: In the winter 2021, staff engaged with downtown business owners, employees, and residents regarding parking issues in the downtown core. A key conclusion from the engagement was that staff should pursue policies based on data and keep the community informed of key decisions. For this reason, staff brought a recommendation of downtown, on-street paid parking to efficiently manage increasing demand and create new supply to the City Commission based on occupancy data collected in August 2021. During the February 2022 Work Session, the Commission requested an additional round of public engagement with the downtown community. Staff hosted five additional engagement sessions—two virtual and three in-person. More than 70 13 Page 3 of 6 individuals representing various segments of the downtown community including residents, employees, and property and business owners participated. Full summaries of the engagement sessions can be found on our Engage BZN webpage. The sessions consisted of a 20-25 minute presentation substantially similar to the one shared with the City Commission on February 1, 2022. Participants asked clarifying questions regarding facts in the presentation. Then, facilitators from the City led the group through a conversation on the following three questions: 1. What benefits and unintended consequences do you see in creating an on-street paid parking environment in downtown Bozeman? 2. What are suggestions for steps to address those unintended consequences? 3. What is the most important issue to address with an employee permit program? (i.e. cost? availability?) Participant opinions ranged from staunchly opposed to the idea to enthusiastic supporters of on-street paid parking. Staff was very pleased with the mix of participants including business owners, residents, employees, university students, and transportation and parking professionals. The discussions led to staff placing a task order on the April 5, 2022 City Commission consent agenda to have the parking consultants research other employee permit parking programs across the country. The summary was shared with all participants in the community engagement and we received no substantive feedback on the summary. Downtown-Midtown-Cannery Circulator: A popular idea for expansion of transit to serve Downtown is to create a circulator called the Downtown-Midtown-Cannery circulator. The Commission directed the City Manager to have staff research the costs of the circulator and how long it would take to create a circulator program. Streamline staff informed City staff that a circulator route would cost $368,000-$400,000 annually and that routes have already been created for a circulator. For context, the estimate of a bond payment for a parking structure is $642,536 with parking in a better location with no increasing costs of operated a new transit line. Additionally, without paid on-street parking revenue, there is no revenue for the City to fund a circulator. If pursued in earnest, the City will need to enter into a final agreement with the Gallatin County for using part of the Gallatin County Fairgrounds for additional parking. Any agreement would likely involve significant capital investment for the parking lot to support the anticipated increase in use. STAFF RECOMMENDATION: Since the February 2022 work session, staff has undertaken a great amount of effort to consider and discuss the effects on-street paid parking as a curb management tool will have on downtown business owners, 14 Page 4 of 6 downtown employees, visitors to downtown, and residents in the neighborhoods surrounding downtown. Staff remains in conversation with representatives of the neighborhood associations and members of the downtown community on these issues. For several reasons, staff remains steadfast in the conclusion that on-street paid parking is necessary for effective management of downtown parking and remains aligned with broad strategic goals of the Commission. First, in December 2020, the City Commission voted 5-0 (recorded comments and vote on page 11) to approve the City’s Climate Plan. Climate Plan Goal 4.J.7 clearly states, “An abundance of free parking encourages and enables the decision to drive versus walking, biking, carpooling, or using transit.” Not accurately pricing parking undermines all the other efforts the City is taking to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and leave a livable planet for future residents of the City of Bozeman. Second, studies have found that underpriced on-street parking leads to an increase in greenhouse gas emission. If one assumes it takes three minutes to find a spot in congested downtown—like Bozeman—and spots turn over five cars per space per day, that is an extra 15 minutes of travel a day. If the average cruising speed is 10 miles per hour, then cruising creates 2.5 vehicle miles traveled per a space per a day. Over a year, this leads to an additional 912 vehicle miles traveled. The final benefit of on-street paid parking for curb management is that the strategy provides staff with an additional tool to manage the demand side of the supply/demand equation. Time and again, cities have used pricing in their downtown on-street paid parking systems to encourage people to choose other modes of transportation. When walking or biking is free, but parking has a monetary value, neighbors and residents may opt to walk or bike, thus reducing single occupancy vehicle trips—the number one contributor to greenhouse gas emissions. Less vehicle trips downtown equals less need for parking in the downtown core which will allow for a more efficient development pattern on our most valuable real estate in the City. A more efficient development pattern could lead to more walkable neighborhoods and more regular public transit, thus even further reducing the single-occupancy vehicle travel. A reduction in single-occupancy vehicle travels leads to reduced greenhouse gas emissions which can helps slow the worst impacts of climate change. Actively managing parking is a truly virtuous cycle which will allow the Citizen Advisory Boards, City Commission, and staff to achieve the goals established in plans such as the City of Bozeman Strategic Plan (Goal 2.2, Page 3; Goal 4.2 15 Page 5 of 6 Approach C, page 6; Goal 7.5, page 11) Community Plan (Goal DCD-3.6, page 34), Downtown Bozeman Improvement Plan (Goal 3, pages 44-51) Downtown Strategic Parking Management Plan (Strategy 20, page 32; Strategy 21, page 34; Strategy 24, Page 41), and the Climate Plan (Focus Area 4, Action 4.J.7). AN ALTERNATIVE SOLUTION: Up to this point, staff has recommended following the Cost Recovery Plus model for Downtown Bozeman. The Cost Recovery Plus Model is $1.75/hour for on-street parking and $1.00/hour for all surface lots and garages. Staff recommended a seasonal approach during the City Commission meeting in February. At that time, Commissioners expressed an interest in an annual model which is included above. Based on our community engagement efforts and conversations with the Downtown Bozeman Partnership, staff is proposing a third option as well. Staff also recommends the City Commission consider providing two or four hours of free parking the Bridger Park Garage and in any second parking structure. Our parking consultant modified the model to include these free hours. Below is a table showing revenue generated with two or four free hours on a seasonal or annual basis. As one can clearly see, two or four free hours in the garage still generates sufficient revenue to cover the operations of an on-street paid parking environment in downtown Bozeman. Further, the free time in the garage will achieve the goal of directing locals and employees to park in the garage. Thus, spaces are freed up on Main Street and other streets for those less familiar with downtown Bozeman. Staff supports this recommendation as a way to continue to attract locals to downtown to eat, shop, work, and play. 16 Page 6 of 6 TRANSPORTATION ADVISORY BOARD RECOMMENDATION: After receiving an extensive memo and supporting materials, hearing a substantially similar presentation, and receiving public comment from six members of the public, the Transportation Advisory Board unanimously recommended the City Commission direct staff to adopt paid parking as a supply and demand management strategy. CONCLUSION: Bozeman is a unique community with a thriving downtown supported by tourists and locals alike. Staff’s proposal for a seasonal on-street paid parking model allows revenue capture from tourists and those who choose to access downtown when demand is highest and parking supply is scarcest. Staff, the Transportation Advisory Board, and the City Commission can use on-street paid parking revenue to create more infrastructure and services that benefit community members. The only limit on said infrastructure and services is the creativity of staff, the Transportation Advisory Board, and the City Commission. Lots of issues facing the downtown meet the rational nexus standard with parking required to receive surplus revenue—employee parking, additional parking supply, sidewalk and street light improvements, bicycle infrastructure, electric vehicle charging. Therefore, there are opportunities to use the newly captured revenue from individuals choosing to pay for parking. On-street paid parking is a key policy evolution for Bozeman to continue to transition from a large town to a small city. While it is impossible to predict every outcome of this change, staff is confident that the benefits of a more sustainable community, more active transportation management practices, and additional revenue generate by the systems users will better support downtown employees and improve the city’s transportation infrastructure without increasing the tax burden on the downtown business community. 17