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HomeMy WebLinkAboutParking Advisory Board - Minutes - 08/08/2016MINUTES of the CITY OF FORT COLLINS PARKING ADVISORY BOARD August 8, 2016 5:30 p.m. 215 North Mason – Community Room Fort Collins, CO 80524 FOR REFERENCE: Chair: Susan Kirkpatrick Vice Chair: Holly Wright Staff Liaison: Kurt Ravenschlag 221-6386 Administrative Support: Melissa Brooks 224-6161 BOARD MEMBERS PRESENT: CITY STAFF PRESENT: Susan Kirkpatrick Kurt Ravenschlag, Transfort/Parking General Manager Holly Wright, Vice Chair Melissa Brooks, Transfort Administrative Aide George Newman Michael Short Carey Hewitt ABSENT: OTHERS IN ATTENDANCE Councilmember Kristin Stephens Kathleen Walker, Parking Staff Bob Criswell Ted Zibell, Downtown Business Owner Stephanie Napoleon Steve Schroyer Nora Hill 1. CALL TO ORDER Chair Kirkpatrick called the meeting to order at 5:30. 2. WELCOME AND INTRODUCTIONS 3. AGENDA REVIEW Change Parking enforcement Recommendations to Parking Enforcement Options. 4. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Wright moves to accept July meeting minutes and Hewitt seconds. The minutes were approved unanimously. 5. COUNCIL LIAISON REPORT None Meeting Minutes August 8, 2016 6. PUBLIC COMMENT Ted Zibell has been part of the downtown community since the early 90’s. Wife, Ellen and I own Perennial Gardner and Sense of Place. My wife was the Downtown Business Association director from 1992 -1994. In 94 we decided we wanted to have a business downtown. The Perennial Gardner was successful and we acquired the buildings next to us. Currently we also lease 164 N. College to John Atencio Jewelers. We have watched and been a part of the evolution of downtown. When this parking issue of going to pay parking happened, it seemed to come from the back door. People told me that they were going to do pay parking and that it was a done deal. We hadn’t heard or received any information on it. Then we heard that the DBA and DDA say that the Downtown community was in support of paid parking. People started to ask questions and speaking up not in favor of it. We tried to understand what the City was doing. We talked to different business owners and went to several meetings including the Parking Advisory Board. We also went to several open houses with the City. We know the previous Parking Manager had always been in favor of paid parking. Susan spoke with Ellen telling her that there will be a Council Work Session where the City will be recommending on street paid parking. I started to work on the letter. The background of the letter was to get all my thoughts together. I always paid attention to parking because it has always been a big part of discussion downtown. There was always a misconception that there was no available parking. However you could always find a parking spot even during Christmas. The traffic pattern has changed over the years and people are now more spread out. We now see more open parking spots and with the telemarketers gone, that has helped. This letter is meant to say that I don’t see what the City is doing and see discrepancies. I think as a downtown community we should expect more from the City before they present the issue of paid parking. It is a fork in the road between where we have come from and changing the City. It will fundamentally change the nature of the City. Is it needed now? The downtown retailers are in a fast changing retail market place. In the paper, there was an article about small businesses and the impact Amazon has had on them. We have people come into our store and use us as a show room. It is not uncommon for people to come into the store and tell you that they tried to find an item for cheaper online. It is like a knife to your business they want to go find it on the internet first instead of supporting a brick and mortar business In Downtown Fort Collins. When you talk about the evolution, paid parking and simple things like doing an app to do paid parking; you are shifting towards a college based downtown. Our business is supported by the parents of the millennials. These people are not at that place yet to pay for parking on their phone. We are not Boulder or Cherry Creek; we are a values oriented shopper in this town. People like a deal. It is not good to compare Fort Collins to Boulder or Denver; we are evolving in that direction, but the health and lively hood of our business depends on the market place we have now. Still, we are a values oriented community, and if they have to start paying for parking they could easily go to Target or the mall. When you combined the factors with the high rents and taxes in Downtown, all that comes off at what is taken home at the end of year. When I look at what our sales were year to year versus how the City has evolved and our economy, we have gotten flat. We are down from last year. We are working hard to keep the store fresh, being as aggressive as we have ever been and it is only keep us at the same level. If paid parking is coming I think we should hold the City to a higher standard to explain why it is needed now. I want to be realistic, and wrote the letter to say let’s not do something because we think it is time, let’s do it because we need it: because it does have consequences. Hewitt: Ted mentioned that there seems to be a lot of available parking: around 50% except during the lunch hour. I, like Ted, believe this is a fork in the road and by doing this now we would create an entertainment district downtown. Right now, 50% of sales tax collected from bars and restaurants have 40% at stake. The other 50% comes from retailers and they have about 60% at stake. To change parking now might be the straw that breaks the camel’s back. I believe Meeting Minutes August 8, 2016 that retail is fragile, including Downtown retail, and we need to nurture it. This Board and City Council has directed staff to say we will do anything else possible before implementing on street paid parking. Zibell: One thing to add is that retail is fragile on a national level. It took a lot of work to rent the space at John Atencio Jewelers. We read the story about the mall, a lot of restaurants, not many retail stores, and not meeting their goals. Centerra has never filled their space. The Outlet Mall is a ghost town. It is a national thing. Retail is fragile nationally and we are not immune. The chain, big box stores and internet are taking away any opportunity. We have to be smarter and work harder and be very aggressive in our approach. We don’t want to become a downtown with only bars, restaurants, and candy stores. I would hate to move forward on paid parking before it is needed and put anything at risk because of it. Short: Ted you were telling us about your business with an upward projection in the first 15 years and the last 5 have been flat. Zibell: The downturn in 2000 and reconfigured came out of that, but if you want the truth what our end of year gross sales are is equivalent to 2007-2008, it really isn’t that much more. Short: Over that time we have experience significant growth. I understand that you want to be cautious that it would create a downward trend in business. Have you considered that the flattening is because of the perception of available parking and that people don’t bother because they can’t find a spot? Even possible that a more regulated on street paid parking could provide and increase your business? Zibell: We got way more comments about how hard it was to find a parking spot the first 15 years than we have in the last two or three years. I see open parking up to 11:30 am on our block and after 1 pm. What I see is paid parking as the City just wants revenue. Customers have said that if they do paid parking they will not come downtown. Why do we think paid parking is going to create that perception? In reality, it would seem as if Fort Collins has become too crowded and not that coming downtown anymore is a bigger hassle. I see it as more of a potential risk, driving people away. 7. DISSCUSION ITEMS A. Parking Enforcement Options Ravenschlag: We wanted to talk through what some of the enforcement options are, intended outcomes and potential effects these changes might have. The options that are under review are: • Extend enforcement to 7:00 pm Monday – Friday • 2 hour parking in Downtown Zone • Weekend Enforcement • Vehicle Enforcement versus walking • Extend 2 hour parking via app • Escalating fines in RP3 zones. Evening Enforcement is intended to address employee parking on street. Feedback from the Downtown Plan was that a lot of the service workers that work in the evening and know that they can park on street knowing enforcement ends at 5 pm. If enforcement was extended that would capture that crowd and change their behavior to park in the garages. One logical problem is that all the signage would need to be modified. This would also stretch our resources minimizing enforcement in other areas and times. Kirkpatrick: Is it possible to start enforcement at 10 am and not do the 8 to 10 am timeframe. It doesn’t seem to be a busy time. Meeting Minutes August 8, 2016 Ravenschlag: That is certainly possible. One of the concerns of extending enforcement is that it would apply to patrons as well. They would have some behavior changes of going into the garages too. Hewitt: I think it would be a good thing. Wright: I think that shift later would be appropriate because there are not a lot of folks parking in the mornings. What if you went 9 am to 7 pm? Newman: What are you doing to help find the service workers alternative parking? Ravenschlag: The message would be that they should park in the structures if they are there longer than 2 hours. Newman: At a cost, how would we consider the bars and restaurants as a Board since they would be impacted and they are not currently represented on this Board? Hewitt: We have had restaurant people here that have said they can’t monitor their staff and would welcome having the space open to their patrons. Kirkpatrick: In terms of cost it is the same for a restaurant and retailer. I know the smartest thing is to buy my employees parking passes because that space is for my patrons. Ravenschlag: This recommendation came out of the Downtown Plan that had significant outreach that included retailers, restaurants and bars that were part of the conversations. There are options we are evaluating and we are interested in your feedback so we can add it to our evaluation. Wright: We talked about utilizing lots after 5 pm to direct employees to. I am hoping those discussions will mitigate some of that. Two Hour Zone versus Block Face: Ravenschlag: The perception that many have was that this happens regularly and jumping block face to block faces. We pulled data in terms of the number of vehicles that had multiple hits on different block faces and represented 10 -15%; which is lower than what I thought it would be. New signage would be required and free up on-street parking for patrons. Newman: How would you make people aware of what the zone is? Ravenschlag: Probably in the same manner we identify our permit zone, through signage. It will be signage in a way people would be able to see the signage. Newman: I see this having a negative impact for business, because not everyone know how long they want to stay. Without an automated system to add time I would be scared to. Kirkpatrick: This scares me too. Ravenschlag: This too was one of the recommendations that came out of the Downtown Plan. Short: I think it is a disincentive to shop downtown. People may have more than one spot to go downtown. Weekend Enforcement: Ravenschlag: Another recommendation from the Downtown Plan. We don’t have good data on weekend occupancy levels. We have heard that there is a perceived problem and might be event related. This would require new signage. I wanted to get feedback from the Board on this. Wright: I am in favor of it. Saturdays and Sundays are the busiest days of the week. We have heard from numerous business owners, employees parking there all day with no turnover. I think we should do this enforcement and keep it the same every day, Sunday – Saturday 9am – 7 pm. Ravenschlag: Do you see changes seasonally; summer versus winter? Wright: January into March is a slower time for us. Hewitt: I like the idea and keeping it consistent throughout the week. Kirkpatrick: I would love it to be consistent too. The employees know that there is no enforcement but the patrons usually don’t. Ravenschlag: If we added evenings and weekends with existing resources, we would have to pull away from something else. Enforcement generates revenue that could possibly add officers. Newman: What about random enforcement? It is the threat of enforcement that is more powerful than Meeting Minutes August 8, 2016 tickets. Ravenschlag: We are considering this for RP3 zones and it is on the table to be evaluated. Short: As retailers, you are on the front lines. Outside of large cities I think Sundays are a free day. Why would we be an anomaly? We have to be careful about setting up a model around mitigating the employee use of public parking. Walking vs. Vehicles: Ravenschlag: We are hoping to go to more vehicle usage. This allows from more coverage. Some concerns are that it can impede traffic when they stop to issue a citation and reduces interaction with the public. Hewitt: One advantage of using the vehicle is that it is more visual and helps send the message. Wright: Could you walk areas that impede traffic? Ravenschlag: That is what we are looking at. Extend 2 Hour Parking by App: Ravenschlag: Some have said that this is counterproductive to create turnover. With the technology we are putting in the new hotel garage, would allow for us to do this. The new garage being built is a paid garage, when you come into this garage you pay at the machine or application on your phone, paying for how long you think you will be there. Short: Why in the garage would you not pay for the time when you leave? Ravenschlag: You need access control for that system and want to move away from that. People can move freely in and out of the garages. Kirkpatrick: I think if there is a time that we do this on street paid this is a way for people to practice this. Wright: This is a great idea. Escalating Fines in RP3 Zones: Ravenschlag: Permit violations are $25 and do not escalate repeat offenses. An issue we have had is with all the construction on campus, and they are willing to pay the fines. The fine has not been very effective. In my opinion escalating fines are a good deterrent. Also keep in mind that a lot of the zones are new. In terms of a downside, I don’t see a downside of an escalating fine, because hopefully after the first one they get the message. Wright: I like the idea however if someone can’t afford it they have information as to what other things are available like permits and information about the parking garages. People need to learn to park where appropriate. Ravenschlag: These are neighborhoods primarily around campus. So their options would be a permit on campus or zone. Short: We have to be careful not to be punitive and these downtown neighborhoods where this will mostly be used. I don’t think it is the contractors, what is going to happen is it will be people who haven’t thought it through. I think it is a hefty fine and I would not be in favor of escalating fines in RP3 zone. If you do, start the fine lower. Kirkpatrick: I think there needs to be more information about how to get parking permits. In my opinion it is too early to start something like this. Hewitt: What I want to bring up is the opportunity to find more spaces and try to create the maximum amount of parking, most efficient enforcement and see where we go from there. Ravenschlag: I agree. I didn’t include this because adding compact parking fits in with enforcement modifications. It is an area we are moving to find creative way to find more capacity. Meeting Minutes August 8, 2016 What are your thoughts on adding diagonal parking adjacent to residential property? Wright: If it is a wide enough road. Ravenschlag: We tended to shy away from that so it didn’t look like a parking lot. Kirkpatrick: If land use permits, diagonal would make sense. Ravenschlag: As we continue to refine these and have recommendation of what we are proposing, we will bring to the Board to comment on. There will be a large public outreach component. 8. ACTION ITEMS A. Memo to Fort Collins City Council Supporting BFO Offers Kirkpatrick: What is the timing to comment? Ravenschlag: Council will be receiving the City Managers Recommended Budget at the end of this month. Wright: It captured what was discussed at our last meeting and what concerns we had. Kirkpatrick: The question I had is about the Transportation Demand Management. That was one that we did not recommend and is not in the memo. I think it is important to let Council know what the concerns were. Ravenschlag: If you would like us to modify this to make a statement. We are happy to put in what you all want. Wright: I am fine with adding it back in and not endorsing it. Kirkpatrick: If the Board remains silent on that item, I will write in as a private citizen. Hewitt: The more information City Council has the better. I move that we amend the memo. Newman: Seconds. Kirkpatrick: It passes unanimously. B. Residential Parking Permit Program Evaluation for City Council Newman: Motions Wright: Seconds. Hewitt: The first paragraph about 30% occupancy versus 70%. You want to utilize that parking as much as possible. Ravenschlag: I think we will get there. The 2 hour limit is new to the zones. Communicating the commuter permits is the goal to get the occupancy up. We are not advertising, it is on the website, but not actively promoting the commuter permits. Kirkpatrick: Do the tickets have information about the commuter permits. Ravenschlag: Currently they do not. Wright: Miss spelling of revenues. Ravenschlag: We will fix that. Short: I disagree with the escalation fees when we vote I will not vote for this if it is in there. Newman: For consistency we should take that out. Ravenschlag: We will strike that. Kirkpatrick: All those in favor with deleting the escalating fee say Aye. Unanimously passed. C. BOARD REPORT Kirkpatrick: The letter Ted Zibell wrote was for Council and knows that on street paid parking will not be happening. Meeting Minutes August 8, 2016 D. STAFF LIAISON REPORT Ravenschlag: The Commission on Disabilities, August 10, 12: 30 pm at City Hall; will be identifying areas downtown that they would like to see additional disabled parking. 10. OTHER BUSINESS None. 11. ADJOURN The meeting was concluded at 7:10 pm. Respectfully submitted, Melissa Brooks Administrative Aide Transfort