12-02-86 Parking Comm Minutes0
December 2, 1986 PARKING COMMISSION 4:00 P.M.
Chairman Gordon Pirrie and Commission members Colin Wills, Ed Myers
and Bob Ivey in attendance. Mayor Kennedy, Councilmen Saverud, Manning and
Palmer, Clerk Haver, Ed Gallagher, Chief Stefanic, Henry Good, Tom O'Neil,
Phil Neuharth and Roger Hopkins of the Daily Inter Lake also present.
BURLINGTON NORTHERN LOT - Gordon Pirrie stated that the Parking Commission
wants the lot, they don't want to have to pave it, and they need to know what
needs to be done to finalize this situation. C. Saverud pointed out that
the parking ordinance require lots to be paved. C. Palmer said this was a
commercial requirement that would not apply on a vacant piece of property.
C. Saverud felt the City Attorney should write an opinion stating it was
permissible. Mayor Kennedy said the final agreement for the lease was for
$500/month with Burlington Northern taking care of the taxes and a 70%-30%
split on any revenues over $500/month. There was some discussion of paying
for something that is already in use for parking but the consensus was that
the City needed to be up front and fair with BN. C. Palmer was concerned
that a precedent was being set by paying a flat fee since other leases are
not handled that way. Access was discussed and the Mayor stated that the
only access and exit would be from Main Street because the other access points
are included in separate leases with other businesses. One access and exit
only, with a right turn in and right turn only out will be used. Bob Ivey
made a motion to accept the lease on tha above terms based on minimal improvements.
Ed Myers seconded and the motion passed. A letter will be written to the
• City Council with the Parking Commission's recommendation.
ORDINANCE EXTENDING 2-HOUR PARKING ZONES - Colin Wills offered his vehicle
count figures for the downtown area (attached) and pointed out that he counted
241 vehicles in the east end of the mall lot during the week that were not
there on weekends. It was agreed again that enforcement of off-street parking
was a necessity. There was the continuing discussion of enforcement, available
parking spaces, the area to be included, etc.
C. Saverud stated that some of the Council were wondering if the Parking
Commission had a game plan and said the Council wants to encourage actions
that fit into a long range plan as well as temporary measures that work within
the plan.
Colin Wills asked if that could include leasing of Griffin Park for parking.
C. Manning felt that a short term, temporary lease until the property was
sold could probably be worked out but also asked what was the use of enforcing
off-street parking if you lose 230 spaces and have nowhere for the vehicles
to go?
Ed Myers pointed out that cities than plan well plan for parking as they
expand rather than after the fact. C. Saverud thought that better enforcement
might encourage free enterprise in the area of parking so the whole burden
might not be on the City.
Chief Stefanic stated several points: 1) Shortening the parking time
limit would make enforcement easier, but with that comes the question of having
enough time to shop, 2) More (1-2) meter maids would be necessary to catch
offenders but if a greater number of offenders were caught it would make the
system work, and 3) There is a need for a change in Montana law to allow for
collection of tickets. The Supreme Court has had a problem with holding the
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PARKING COMMISSION
December 2, 1986
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owner of a vehicle responsible for parking tickets. Enforcement at this point
is a big bluff and he estimated that 20% of the tickets are not collected.
Revamping the ordinances to make fines collectible by civil collection procedures
would help.
Colin Wills said temporary help should be hired on a trial basis. Clerk
Halver stated that the budget could not be amended at this time to add more
staff, and that in order to amend it they must prove that funding is available.
The Chief will look into this situation to see what can be done.
O'NEIL LOT - Colin Wills stated he had gotten bids from two appraisers
and it would cost approximately $250/day for a cursury 2-day appraisal. Qualifications
for appraisers were discussed. Attorney Neier gave word that three things
need to take place: 1) Parking Commission must show that this lot fits into
the long range plan and recommend action to the Council, 2) the City Council
then approves the purchase based upon the outcome of the appraisal, and 3)
the City Council makes the arrangements for the appraisal. After continued
discussion Bob Ivey moved that the Parking Commission recommend the purchase
of the O'Neil lots for the price of up to $135,000. Gordon Pirrie turned
the chair over to Ed Myers and seconded the motion. Bob Ivey and Gordon Pirrie
voted for, Ed Myers voted against and Colin Wills abstained. The motion passed.
Paving of the lot was discussed. It cannot be done until warm weather.
Ed Gallagher stated that bond funds could be used for improvements as well
as acquisition.
Tom O'Neil stated that he is trying to work with his board and needs
a letter or something in writing showing the intent of the City since the
lots have been off the market for a month and a half waiting for action from
the City. C. Saverud said that as soon as the Council acts on the sale he
would have no problem with a letter being written stating that based upon
the appraisal the property would be purchased.
LONG-RANGE PLAN - C. Palmer asked that Le Parking Commission be ready
to present a major long range plan to the Council because they want to know.
Gordon Pirrie felt that the PC could give direction but that many specifics
cannot be known at this point. C. Saverud asked for a statement of philosophy
and intent rather than specifics. Colin Wills asked if the Councilman in
attendance were in favor of the Salem plan. C. Saverud said he was. C. Palmer
was concerned about administrative costs and the possible loss of good will.
Gordon Pirrie responded that if some people don't like it that was too bad -
the need to be addressed here was getting customers downtown in order to keep
viable businesses open. The secretary will write to Salem and Eugene, OR
both for up-to-date parking ordinances. TheICity Attorney needs to check
the plans for enforceability. Chief Stefanid and the secretary will prepare
a map of the existing two-hour parking zones for the next meeting so that
extention of the zones may be discussed. -
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PARKING COMMISSION
• December 2, 1986
Page 3
NORTHWEST TELEPHONE REQUEST' FOR 20 LEASE SPACES - Bob Ivey and Colin
Wills will scout out possible acquisition and improvement costs. This information
can be translated into a cost/month figure to pass on to the phone company.
TRIPPET LOT - The City Clerk explained that after going over the records
carefully it appears the City owes approximately $3,000. Bob Ivey said that
for a period of time the City Hall employees parked in his lot and Trippet
forgave his portion of the revenues (70%,). Then there was a misunderstanding
and the end result was that he would sign a lease and the City would settle.
Since there is no signed lease legally and technically the City does not owe
the money, but morally it does owe it. Clerk Halver said he counted all the
full time tickets from November 1982 to the present. The City provided the
meters, posts and box and Trippet installed them and paved and striped the
lot and agreed to pay for the improvements. Bob Ivey will go to see Mr. Trippet
to negotiate a settlement, part of which will be that Mr. Trippet signs a
lease.
CORRECTION - Colin Wills asked that the minutes show that he voted for
the purchase of the O'Neil Lot at the November meeting providing that the
Council pass an ordinance with stiffer enforcement of the two hour parking
zones.
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