Loading...
06-10-86 Parking Comm MinutesJune 10, 1986 PARKING COMMISSION 2:00 P.M. • Chairman Gordon Pirrie and members Colin Wills, Bob Ivey and Dr. Ed Myers in attendance. Building Official Jackson and Roger Hopkins of the Daily Inter Lake also present. POLICE CHIEF/PARKING COMMISSION LETTER - Chairman Pirrie read the attached letters received in response to the letter passed out by Colin Wills to the downtown area. The largest number of comments received were concerning lack of enforcement. The discussion included questions concerning that enforcement: is the meter maid too busy? Not busy enough? Working just lots? How many tickets are written and how much time does it take to write a ticket? The suggestion was made again that she stagger her starting times so as not to be so predictable. Her district covers from Center to 5th and from lst Avenue West to 1st Avenue East. It was pointed out that it is getting into the time when college parking will not be a problem and the problems with employers and employees will surface. Later in the meeting Chief Stefanic came in and this subject was discussed again. Specific areas mentioned were the 300 block on the east side of Main Street after 11:00 A.M., area by Miller, Eigeman, etc., and suggestions for using different routes or a different part of town every day unless she was concentrating on a particular problem area. The maid writes an average of 100 tickets a day (more than 3 Butte maids combined). The greatest complaints are the "day after day" ones. Chief Stefanic indicated that they had some "secret" tricks for catching violaters who played games with them, but he would not disclose what those were, only that they worked most of the time. Forty-five minute • parking was discussed, 30 minute in front of the College. The City Council had previously said it wanted to meet with the Parking Commission before enacting the latter. Chief Stefanic said the maid might tend to enforce the metered lots more because it was cleanerenforcement. He also said that the policy was to emphasize the streets, but he was not sure what the meter maid does as practice. Courtesy tickets for out-of-state vehicles were discussed. Chief Stefanic stated that they are not ticketed unless they take advantage of that. The Chamber has courtesy cards for tourists. There is not any other kind of courtesy ticket. TOM KOSINA - from Missoula will meet with the KDC July 8 and then will meet with the Parking Commission at 2:00 P.M. and hopefully will have some suggestions. LOADING DOCK/BN - Ed Myers explained that the College is working with BN to arrange temporary parking behind the Loading Dock, which they hope to have operational by the fall quarter. It will provide approximately 60 spaces. They are waiting for BN approval but it looks good. This could be turned over to the City to run. There would need to be preferential parking for College students. GRIFFIN PARK - The suggestion was made again to take some of the tax increment monies and loan or give to the Parks Department for Griffin field. A reasonable fee could be charged for college students to use the spaces, and when it sold in the future the Parking Commission could get the money back. It would generate 146 spaces (179 including both inside and along the edges). Gordon Pirrie termed it a win -win situation. Good for the Parking Commission and good for the ball • field. It could be done this year as soon as the ball teams were done for the season, giving them the funds to have Begg Field ready for next year's season. Roger Hopkins stated that it had been discussed at a Parks Committee meeting and the members were very receptive. The Commission asked that a memo be written PARKING COMMISSION . June 10, 1986 Page 2 to the Council recommending further study of this idea and stating that the Parking Commission is. ready to do whatever is necessary. There was duscussion of marketing the idea to the college students to convince them that it was not any further away than where they were already parking. Raising the fine system, changing the parking regulations around Linderman, and charging $3 - $5/month or maybe $10/quarter were all suggested. College needs for parking are about 400 spaces during peak times. It was also suggested that for the first two days after the first of the month that the holder of a parking space be allowed to renew the same spot. Input from the College students will be requested to help show the need to the Council. An updated map of available parking is also needed. Colin Wills gave some details he had previously worked out as to costs per space for various plans. An area for compacts only was discussed because it can mean a gain of 25% more spaces. It was suggested that the area for compacts only be addressed in all City lots. Using some area of Griffin Field for motorcycles was suggested, but Ed Myers said they use the covered area off 1st Avenue East. CASH IN LIEU OF PARKING - Chairman Pirrie brought up this subject again by stating that the Commission needs to set a fee and bend it where possible for the existing buildings. It can be $100 or $500 or something else, but it • needs to be done. It can be reviewed and changed later if necessary. Colin Wills objected to dealing with the fee on a one-to-one basis saying it causes discrimination. Building Official Jackson stated he had contacted other cities and his notes are attached to these minutes. The point was made again that the Commission needed to charge something, and the funds must be channeled back into parking rather than general funds. Ed Myers stated that the businesses were only hurting themselves by not creating parking. There was extended discussion of the pros and cons of cash -in -lieu -of -parking and the need for a decision, to be doing something. ajg • • • • PARKING COMMISSION DOWNTOWN PARKING City of Billings 40% of parking requirements must be met for new construction. First 15,000 square feet exempt from parking regulations. Additional information being sent. Bozeman Off-street parking district established and lots actually purchased. Cash in lieu of acutally buys spaces at $1200 per space. Butte -Silver Bow S.I.D. created to pay for lots in Central Business District (8 planned, 2 developed). No parking requirements in C.B.D.. Businesses outside of C.B.D. pay $500/space for cash -in -lieu -of. Great Falls Special Assessment for parking garage, Parking S.I.D. - no cash -in -lieu -of. Outside of S.I.D. when there is a 25% is required. Helena no requirements for parking. increase in occupant load more parking Parking District with assessment and no requirements. Lots are in and supplied. Missoula S.I.D. parking bond issue for lots. Meters left in to help pay for 13 lots. There is no parking requirement anywhere within the Central Business District. A portion of the C.B.D. is included in the S.I.D., but not all, and they reason that those wishing to be in that area will be willing to pay the extra for the S.I.D.. Above information gathered by phone by Ken Jackson, Building Official. THE CITY OF KALISPELL MONTANA POLICE DEPARTMENT KALISPELL, MONTANA 59901 PHONE 406-755-2121 MARTIN D. STEFANIC Chief of Police DONALD F. HELLMAN Asst. Chief of Police You are aware of the parking problems in the central business district, and the city needs your help in attempting to solve part of the problem. It is quite obvious that many people working in the central business district are parking where we would like to see shoppers and other business patrons park. The problem could be solved by hiring more parking attendants; however, there are not funds in the city coffers to afford these people without rais- ing taxes--whichshouldbe the last resort. The problem can be partially solved with your help. It is to your advan- tage if you would join in an effort to urge employees to park in parking lots away from the business district. With your help and your employee's help, we can lessen the parking problem and improve business in the shops within our central business district. Sincerely, Martin St anic Chief of P o l i e e. • Fellow Citizen: �ut^L4 �}6tr+ �s,,fj[cGc•Z /L.,uL The foregoing message from your Chief of Police is supported by your volunteer Parking Commission. Other solutions considered by the Com- mission include, but arenotrestricted to: restoration of parking meters, recording and fining heavily those found to be consistent parking violators, creating additional land for parking. Or we can continue to allow these violators their present. practice and send the business traffic to find space wherever it can. Recent acquisition of city -owned narking cost. $3,260.87 per space. Lengthy exploration of many potential sites show average space cost- ing over $3,100.00. Should this be your wish that we pursue "pur- chase and improve" --or any other input you can offer --please let your commission know. Please contact any of the Parking Commission members: Gordon Pirrie, Bob Ivey, Harry Farrington, Ed Meyers, J. Austin Miller or Colin Wills. Comments may be mailed to the Kalispell Parking commission at Drawer 1997, Kalispell, MT 59903. Thank you. Kalispell Parking Commission Your friendly downtown merchants • ■'MINI♦ �'fr�tu�-' -- - PHONE 755-SM V AAUTIiE'S � �'' PICTURE FRAMING �, 429 FIRST AVENUE EAST err' Custom Matting VZO KALISPELL, MONTANA 58801 ART 'N FnAME ") Adiel Supplies ,t�, OWNER� „ Russell Prints : i.- HOP _ DOUG RAUTHE _+ Mirrors entl Glass "We Freme Yow friends , ,( �� i �. 10 n. lz2P�1 If y >�-u ) r G L 11 MAIN STREET 752-5007 DIAL KALISPELL, MONTANA 59991 May 15, 1986 Kalispell Parking Commission Drawer 1997 Kalispell, Montana 59903 Dear Friendly Downtown UPTOWN Kalispell Parking Commission: I believe a partial solution to the problem Marty addresses is to put employers on notice that if they tolerate their employees parking in the central business district they could be subjected to a stiff fine say $100 to $$250. You and I both know that there are several merchants who know about it and let it slide. Another source of parking available would have been to have left Depot Park Loop open until it was necessary t❑ close it and them rather than expanding the park area, was t❑ at least open up parking around the area to the inside ❑f the sidewalks surrounding the . park on the north border. One other obvious source ❑f additional parking is to make Center Street from Main t❑ First Ave. East one-way heading west, eliminate the left turn lanes at both ends, as the ❑ne on the east turns int❑ a small parking area and with the lights operating as they are you don't need one heading west. I have watched that corner for years and have never observed more than tw❑ or three cars turning left at any one signal change. Traffic heading east could still be two lanes, but this would open up parking on both sides of Center Street between Main and First Ave. East. - We do appreciate the hours you fellows have spent on this commission. Thank you. • Sincerely,) Roger Siblerud, Mgr. A. J. KING VICE PRESIDENT May 19, 1986 OF KALISPELL Box 48 KALISPELL, MONTANA 59901 Mr. Gordon Pirrie Kalispell Parking Commission Drawer 1997 Kalispell, MT 59903 _. Dear Gordon: PHONE 755-7123 MEMBER F. D. 1. C. I have a letter from the Kalispell Parking Commission requesting input regarding city acquisitions of parking spaces. It is my opinion, if the city wishes to retain a strong tax base in a centralized business district, it will be necessary for the continued acquisition of city owned parking, at least until such time as it is determined that there is adequate parking in the core area. I do believe we have tax increment funds on hand to provide improvements in the downtown area and these funds should be used in the best possible way to preserve consumer services in our centralized location. Best regards. Very truly yours, A -J-16. King /gh n �J \/Vestern States \ Insurance Agency, Inc. May 15, 1986 Kalispell Parking Commission Drawer 1997 Kalispell, Mt. 59903 RE: PARKING Dear Sirs: I would like to thank you for sending the letter regarding parking and requesting input into fhe current parking problems. I must compliment the City Police Department and the volunteer parking commission. I currently lease space in the KM Building and part of my lease stip- ulates that employees would not park within 300 feet of this building. • I can both understand and respect this request and have, for the past year purchased parking spaces from the City of Kalispell for each of my employees. I must admit that on occasions I or my other sales person do not use the parking space, but rather park in front of the building, if we determine that we will only be here for a short period of time. However, I realize that other people in this building do not abide by the stipulations of their lease. • I moved to the Flathead Valley in June of 1983, from the City of Billings and I would hope that you will take my comments constructively. Simply put, Kalispell has no narking problem. When I lived in Billings, I felt fortunate, indeed, to be able to park within four or five blocks of any downtown distination. I must say that one of the most pleasant sur- prises for me, upon coming to Kalispell was to find that there were no parking meters. I find that parking meters do not alleviate parking problems, they merely create a vast source of revenue for our city fathers. I also believe that if you'll check statutes, you'll find that it is illegal to place parking meters on a federal highway, and since Main Street is part of Interstate 93, I feel that you will find it would be illegal to place meters on that street. Other cases in point, that I believe citizens should know, is that parking meters cost a great deal, parking meter attendants cost a great deal, and that the possibility of putting parking meters in the downtown area will do nothing but create jobs, and unfairly tax the downtown busiessmen. P.Q. 5as I21b 0 Ka!i;vcll, AloriNwa 59o03 o 400 , 25S-4P93 The three available parking lots in the area utely fanastic, and I can only compliment the care and maintance of the lots. I would say, of Kalispell is to be complimented on its par really see no problem. I hope that you will structively and that if you decide to do anyt tain an additional parking lot or two for dow Sincerely, Claude K. Aaberge CKA/sd of the KM Building are absol- City of Kalispell on their . at this time that the City king problem, because I take these comments con- hing, it would be to ob- ntown working people. • • Lin 235 South Main Kalispell, MT 59901 406-752-1339 1 1, _ a ""'N"""-' R s'. 235 South Main Kalispell, MT 59901 406-752-1339 rzz. `C�L��-�P�,✓CL�t�J C.E:'/l�iC..,. G�CG'L,C` �%lG�llst .�-CCc,'-C�/', GL�' / —� `ti�-LnL /u?5 / / '16, ee4//C C rcC-e G Cc e f atiee� C�Z j LGj I GC%C't. fQ Gtc; t ye e/` r, Martin D Chief of City Hall Kalispell, Flathead Valley Community College Number One First Street East Kalispell, Montana 59901 (406) 755-5222 . Stefanic Police MT 59901 May 20, 1986 Dear Chief Stefanic and Kalispell Parking Commission: In response to your recent letter, I was a member of the Parking Commission that initiated removal of parking meters in -downtown Kalispell. We discussed the problem of employees taking choice parking spaces from shoppers and other business patrons and concluded that only severe penalties could restrict this activity. At that time our most successful role model was the city of Salem, Oregon. Salem had parking designated specifically for downtown employees.and parking designated for shoppers, etc. Stickers were provided to downtown employees and employers which entitled the bearer to park in the lots and garages fring- ing the downtown area for a very reasonable monthly or yearly fee. Spaces in central downtown were reserved for "paying customers." Violators were heavily fined. Meter maids were alerted to watch for employee or employer autos improperly parked in the shopper's spaces by checking out autos consistently parked in same locations, autos that repeatedly were parked more than two -hours and several ways of checking license plates against master lists of people employed in the downtown area. (I am not sure how they put together the latter.) I still believe this could be "sold" to the parking public with some imagination and good PR. LB:mcs • Siely, 71c" �c:e�-„�.� Loraine Bundrock Director of Admissions & Registration AN EOUAL OPPORTUNITY INSTITUTION