03-10-87 Parking Comm Minutes• March 10, 1987
PARKING COMMISSION 4:00 P.M.
Chairman Gordon Pirrie and Commission Members Colin Wills and Bob Ivey in
attendance. Mayor Kennedy, Chief Stefanic, Myron Lewis and Roger Hopkins of
the Daily Interlake also present.
MYRON LEWIS PARKING SPACE REQUEST - Myron Lewis and Gary Kastner, owners
of the apartments at 608 3rd Avenue West requested permission to reserve 3 parking
spaces (One on the east side, one on the north side, and on in front of 324
6th Street West) for their rental property. Because of the High School the
lack of off-street parking creates a serious dilema that is making it hard to
rent the apartments. The Commission has never approved this type of parking
before and was concerned that it would set a precedent. Enforcement was discussed,
with suggestions for both police enforcement and landlord enforcement. It was
pointed out that the Council has had a policy for several years to not allow
any additional leased spaces. The Commission decided that City Attorney Neier
should address the legalities of this situation and a decision can be made when
he has responded.
MALL PARKING LOT - The status of this was questioned. It was pointe&-out
that it will require 7-8 signs rather than just three, and Chairman Pirrie said
to do whatever was necessary, but that the lease should include the recouping
of expenses before the 70-30% split goes into effect. Evidently there was some
misunderstanding in the Council when the plans were reported in the Inter Lake
• that the Parking Commission was by-passing the Council. This matter will be
taken to Council for approval before the lease is signed.
BURLINGTON NORTHERN LOT - Mud is becoming a serious problem. Colin Wills
questioned the use of the street sweeper gatherings for fill, or the use of
gravel from Lawrence Park. Usage of this lot has been in the 40's to 50's range,
and the income is not covering the cost of the lease payment. A letter will
be prepared to be sent to Jim Cook after Council approval stating that due to
the fact that the number of spaces did not materialize as planned and the revenue
is not covering the lease payments, the City wishes to change to a 70-30% split
on April 1. If this is not agreeable the Commission felt that the lease should
be canceled.
STERLING RYGG REQUEST - Mr. Rygg requested a free parking space for his
personal use in the lot the City leases from him. Bob Ivey felt that since
we would still be responsible for the policing he should pay, but Chairman Pirrie
said to bend and keep him happy. A letter will be sent to Mr. Rygg instructing
him to see the Police Department to make the necessary arrangements.
WALKER PARKING REPORT - Chairman Pirrie reported that he had called Mr.
Walker and determined that a study for Kalispell would cost approximately
$23-24,000. The KDC is talking about doing a city -county -school district traffic
study that should yield some useable information. The consensus was that the
Commission should wait and do whatever planning could be done without doing
another study. Chairman Pirrie stated that money should be used this year to
update the lots that we already have, putting in sprinkling and lighting, lanscaping,
benches - that sort of improvement - things that would fit in with the proposed
changes for downtown. The water hookups needed for sprinkling systems in the
Eagles Lot and the 1st Federal Lot need to be addressed during the construction
of 1st Alley West. Colin Wills was adamant that there had been enough money
spent on "studies" that were then updated each year or so at additional cost
PARKING COMMISSION
March 10, 1987
Page 2
and they should be used - not just set on the shelf.
DALE HAARR REQUEST - Mr. Haarr has requested that a parking meter be installed
in front of his store so that someone cannot park there and stay all day. Chief
Stefanic said there was not supposed to be parking there at all. Bob Ivey suggested
painting the curb yellow again. The Mayor said he was for putting the meters
back on the street and that Dale Haarr and others agreed. This led to a discussion
of the pros and cons of parking meters. It was finally agreed that this issue
will be added to the survey of the downtown business people. Mr. Haarr's request
will be on hold until the results from the survey are obtained.
EMPLOYEE PARKING ON STREET - The Chief reported on several instances of
abuse. Chairman asked how pressure could be put on the College concerning their
employees. There was further discussion but no recommendations.
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