5.3. SR 04-09-2007
City of EII< River Item Number
REQUEST FOR COUNCIL ACTION 5.3.
Agenda Section Meeting Date Prepared by
\X/orksession i\pril 9, 2007 Catherllle 1vlehelich, Director of
Econolruc Developlnent
Item Description Reviewed by
Do,vnto,vn Parking Focus Group Recormnendations for Scott Clark, C0111lDuruty Developtuent
Changes to Current Parking llegulations and Perlnitting Director
Introduction
On Septelnber 18, 2006, tlle City Council cfuected staff to prepare a report on parking issues in tile
do\vnro\vn area. In response to the report that \vas presented to tlle Council No\rel11ber 20) 2006, tlle
Council agreed upon a series of assulnpuons to serve as a foundation for future parking
reco111111cndations al1d establislled a parking focus group to develop \vorking solutions.
The I:; Deus Group \vas directed by dle Council to cOl11plete tlle follo\Vlllg tasks:
1. Develop and reCOl1unend to tlle CouncillDoclifications to tlle city's regulatory and adlninistrative
parki.ng pernut process (phase I - for itnplen1cntation Spring 2007 tlltougll Spring 2008)
2. Develop and recol1unend to tlle Council policies for transition of clnployee parking to tlle periphery
of do\vnto\vn~ (phase II - for unpletnentation SUlnnler 2008).
3. .Develop analysis and recoltllnend to the Council options for additional parking in tile long ternl,
including parking rall1p. (phase III - for unplClnentation III dle future).
Discussion
The Focus Group has cOlnplctcd dle first task and is prepared to present tlle attached recol11luendation
for 111oclifications to d1C dO\Vl1tO\Vn parking regulatol}r and pernutting systelTI for lluplelnentation Spring
2007. ~rhe recollunendations of clle Focus Group \vill be presented by tlle staff facilitators, Chief of
Police Beahen and the Director of Econolnic Developl11ent Catllerine i'vIellclich.
Financial Impact
--[he prul1ary fmalleial ll11pacts of the recollUl1endation l1ave 1lat been qual1tified, but are related to tlle
adrnin.istrative perl1utting (pertnit tags, signage, staff tll11e, ete.) and enforcelnent (staff tll11e) of parking
regulations as absorbed by tlle Police Departlnent and l)ublic \Y./orks Departlnellts. It is ll11portant to
note dlUt it is clear dlat the 510/ 1110 n tl1 perl1ut fee \villnot cover tl1cse additional costs of regulation and
enforcen1en t.
In addition the F'ocus Group is recolllll1ending tile City's consideration of purchasing "parking boots"
(approx. 5500 each) for enforcCl11cnt of Ul1paid parking tickets and "el11ergency pull-posts" (approx.
S"1 ,700 each) to ease l)ublic safety concerns.
Attachments
· Do\vnto\vn Parking Focus Group I'vlceting ivIinutes, FebruarY-Ivlarcll 2007
. l)hase I Recollunended I\-1odifications to tlle Do\vnto\vn Parlw.1g Regulations & PernuttUlg l)rocess
. Do\vnto\vn Parking Ivlap -l)roposed Changes i\pril 2007
S:\Do\\+oto\,;n Rl:vila.hzalion\P~lrking\2007 Parkin~ Focutl Grour\RE(~UEST Cf)UNCIL :\CTIONA.9JJ7.Joc
Rt:conlmcnJ Changes to Parking Rcgub tions ~mJ Pcnnitting
April 9, 2007 Council \Vork St,;$sion
Page .:2 of 2
Action Requested
Staff requests the Council consider tlle recol1lluendations of tlle Do\vnto\vn Parking Focus Group and to
authorize tile staff and tIle Police Depattlnent to undertake the l1ecessary steps to unplCll1ent tlle
111odifications to tl1e do\vnto\vn parlci.tlg regulatiol1s and permitting process Spring 2007, as sumlnarized
belo\v:
· IZeduce l)arking tlll1e fu1UtS onstreet and in I<.ing i\ve lot and enforce \veekday and overnight parking
regulations.
o l{elocate do\vnto\vn resident and ov-ernigllt guest parking to nortIl I-I\vy 10 lot by free pernuts.
· Linut issuance of I<.ing j\ ve en1ployee perlnirs to 1500/0 (110 pennits) of available stalls.
· Issue en1ployee perl1nts by application on a quarterly basis, at a rate ofSl0/1uontll, starting \vith "1
per business/property o\vner; tllen "round robul" approach.
· Pro,ride COllUTIulllcations campaign to pr01TIote elnployee use of safe and available parking location
alterna rives.
· Evaluate fulanciall11eans and tUning for purchase of "parking boots" and "el11ergency pull-posts"~
· Parking regulation al1d perl1ut systeln to be reevaluated on quarterly basis by a sitnilur focus group
\vitll regulatory changes to be autllorized by Council prior to issuance of perlruts.
Council Action
i\[OtiOl1 by _
Second by _
\r otc
Follow Up
S:\DownuJ\\'n Rt:vitalilatiun\P~lfking\2007 P~lrking Focu~ Group\REQUEST COUNCIL. :\C"1"rONA.9.07.Joc
MEETING OF THE ELK RIVER
DOWNTOWN PARKING FOCUS GROUP
HELD AT UPPER TOWN CONFERENCE ROOM, CITY HALL
MONDAY, MARCH 26, 2007
rvIelnbers Present:
Larry"roth, J(eith I-Iolme) Nick Zenvas, Bill Houlton) Pat D\V)ter, Dave
R ymano\vski, \' ern fIan son, Denny \Xl alsh
J\Iembers ..:\bsent:
Fred ~.'lcCoy, Jeff I<.rueger, Tamara ..*\ckerman
S ta ff P resen t:
Director of Economic Development Catherine ~:!:~.~elich, COlTIlllUllity
Developlnen t Director SeD tt Clark, Chic f 0 f ~:2..~2'e:.-Je.ff Beahe n
1.
Revie\v of Febnlary 26~ 2007 !\Jeeting lvlinutes ....::..::.::.;.>:... ':.;:.:~.i.:.:':..:::::.::::':::::..
The lninutes of the February 26,. 2007 Do\vnto\vn Parkiiig Focu:ifi..g~qup meeting \vere
revie\ved and approved by consensus of the attend~.c;.:~.:~:.
2.
~~~~~~~no~::~:~~::dC~:~~e:l:~ ~f~l:~riJ:~~i~~;~;~~~~!;!~;parking stalls and permits
available under his recoffilnendauon. ...... ........... ... . ..... ........
'. .
....
... .". : ...... ....... ..........
. . ... .. ... ..... .". . .... ",...
~;l~~: :;rrl~~~h~,:::~~i~on of 8 resid~ri~;,pennits)
i5i~~i\ti~~~;~~t~i~::~~;~,;~~;i;il~~:~ent)
96 5 tails
23 permits/ stalls
73 stalls
110 pernuts
('~1:~~~::::e:~~~1~t:~di~~fl:::;et:~:~:::~es and property owners and not by
.~;~l:~;;::~:}~~~~orated basis by number of employees, square footage, ete.
· Evalu~iitf\1.~yel9.~ihtcrest in permits upon mailing infonnation on the ne\v rulest
i.ncluding.;..H.:g:.~;:rii6t limited to a statement that a permit to park in I<.ing .t\ve lot is a
privilege, +:.:p'itid pennit \vill not guarantee an open spot at all rimes.
· ..All business/property o\vners by address should have the right to purchase 1 pennit
(upon interest and application deadline), then assess the situation and system for issuing
balnnce of available permits if any exist.
· Business/property o\vners should consider negotiating for use of privately-o\vned
parking lots for employee stalls based on their o\vn needs (School District,. Dares, First
National BankJ Bank of Elk River)
· Issue pertruts based on density of emploYluent per square footage of business space or
as a percentage of total do\vnto\vn employment.
Downto\vn Parking Focus Group
ivlarch 26, 2007
Page 2 of2
· Business/ property o\vners \vho are issued permits but do not have Unluediate need for
them should be allo\ved to "transfer" to anod1cr business/property o\vner through
business-to-business negotiation and agreement.
o Esmnated current number of do\vnto\vn businesses 50
.Estimated ne\v businesses in Bluffs and Jackson Place 1.2
Total Do\vnto\vn Businesses 65
· .A.s a matter of policy procedure, the Focus Group should establish the proposed systcln
recommendation and present to cile Council at \vork session for Council approval
before 0 ffering/ announcing to the do\vnto\vn businesses.
· Employee parking permits to be issued on a quarterly basis at the cost of $10 per month.
Number of ernployee: customer parking spaces ratio and numR:S.~ of available permits to
be reevaluated based on changed needs and dClnands by ~.:;~.i1)iitii.r.:.:pi1rking focus group
on a quarterly basis prior to is suance. ..,.. ,"
· Clarified enforcement of parking regulations: .:-::::::::.:. .......:::,~::.:...;:..:::.:....
o I<.ing .A.ve Lot & Onstteet Parking time J~rriif*-...- Enfot:2..:#..4:::.~--ronday-Friday; no
\veekend enforcement ..:::::.::.....,. ....:..;:-::-.... ., ..,:::::::..:.::...
o Overnight Parking (no parking 2a,9}.+6atu) - Enforced 7 -dafs..::i.~.i.:)ycek
. . ... ..
........ ... . ..
. . . ...............
..... . ","
.........". ..... ... .... ,"
.........".. ................ ..
..::..:......:..... ::. \............. .......
:~~~g tl~:~;::~: ~~ :.~~~~:~:=~ ~~:~:~'~,~~,~;:i~>~11,~:f9H~Wing recomrri,~~d~'tion
· ~{ail do\VntO\Vll business and property o\vners i11"(~!~ation on dle ne\v rules along \vith
pennit application and deadli1i::s.r::~.clucling but not..lii1.Rs;.p to a statetnent that a pennit to
;~r~s~~~~:;~~~i~r~~~:~.~~rB~~~:,::~~ ~V~~\r~~~:r;:t~eq:~r~!r~; ~;~~ ::
the cost of $10 per month. .:....u.... ,......:..:.:.;:;::::::.;:;::.:.:::::.:/::::.,.:.:::::::.::.::.;.:..::.~.... ........
o.g.:::.~.::"::.8.y~..~.terl y b~si$}:::p:~~-o~e.:.:"t(f~js.$.q~B.S...~.:;):.:::.:.::;:.:.
3.
~ ?~:~~~
.:.......:.:". :"::":.:::
............... ,". .
.. . ....." ..........
I'he nexi:::;'rii,:~.~.qng ofE!i;~ Focus Group 'Nill be IvIonday, ..April 9. The focus of the discussion
\vill be on th"e:~\p.h.~:~:~::11 parking options (for impleluentation Summer 2008). 1\-15. J\-Iehelich
encouraged lue.fijb'crs to be thinking about the options outlined in the J\Jarch 12, 2007 focus
Group ~Jinutes..~.:.and the question - U\X'hen the King ..t\ve parking lot is converted to an .t\LL
customer pa.rking lot~ ho\v and \vhere should employee parking be aCC01TIlnodatedr'
Sublnitted by,
Catherine ?vIehelich
Director of Econorruc Development
MEETING OF THE ELK RIVER
DOWNTOWN PARKING FOCUS GROUP
HELD AT UPPER TO'NN CONFERENCE ROOM, CITY HALL
MONDA Y, MARCH 12, 2007
IvIenlbers Present:
Larry Toth, Keith Hahne) Fred l\'IcCoy, Tamara .A..ckennan, Bill I-leulton,
Pat D\vyer, Dave Rymano\vski, "\1 ern I-Ianson
[vI e lTI b ers .t\. b sea t:
Nick Zenva s, Denny \Valsh, Jeff Krueger
S ta ff P resen t:
Director of Economic Developlnent Catherine l\'Iehelich, Community
Development Director Scott Clarkl Police Sergeant Brad Rolfe
1. Revie\v of FebnlaI:.\' 26. 2007 l\Ieeting I\{inutes
"[he lumutes of the February 26, 2007 Do\vnto\vn Parking Focus Group meeting \vere
revie\ved and approved by consensus of the attendees.
[vIs. i\Tehelich provided an overvie\v of the purpose of tllls lneeting \vluch is to reach
agreement on the proposed modifications to the current do\vnto\vn parking regulations and
pennitting system so a reC01TI1TICndarion from the group can be presented to City Council.
2. Discussion of Proposed Changes to Current Parking System
Police Sergeant Brad Rolfe revie\ved Chief of Police Beahen's lnemo on proposed changes
to the parking ordinance. Concerns \vere raised by SOIne members regarding \vhy the
permits need to be fce-based, the S 10/ month rate may be too high for some businesses and
employees, concerns that a paid permit doesn't guarantee an available stall, and safety
concerns about the overflo\v parking options.
[vIs. l\Jehelich raised the question if any businesses had concerns about the availability of
customer parking. Some Inclubers cOlnluented that custolner parking adequate for no\v, and
that tills \vill need to be luonitored as the ne\v buildings becolne occupied.
Follo\ving discussion, Focus Group melnbers reached agrcclnent on the follo\ving proposed
changes to the parking systelTI for implementation Spring 2007 to SUITIlTICr 2008:
1. Enforceluent of do,vnto\vn parking regulations ends after 6:00 p.ln. and \veekends,
\vhich \vould allo\v evening do\VntO\Vll \vorkers to move cars closer to place of
business to ease sufety concerns~ TIns issue 1uny need to be revisited based on
anticipated increase in eveningf\veekend parking demand froln ne\v businesses and
park activities.
2. ~-\ll do\vnto\vn resident and overnight guests parking that are not being provided by
the property Q\vner \vill be required to park in city lots nordl of I-Iigh\vny 10 by
pennit, \vhich \vill be issued at no cost. Police Dept to order emergency posts
(approx. $500 each) to ease safety concerns in the north parking lots and in the IGng
.t\ venue 10 t.
3. Change the time limits for:
. lZing ..Ave lot to 3-hour (fraln 4-hour)
· On-street parking to 2-hour (froln 3-hour)
Downtown Parking Focus Group
i\ larch 12t 2007
P;lgC 2. of 3
. '"[he section of north :t\Iain Street bet\veenJackson .A.ve and in front of the Bank
of Elk River \vill be posted 1-hour.
. .-\ fe\v stalls along J ackson .J.~ ve in front bet\veen I(emper Drug and DialTIOnd
City Bread \vill be posted I-hollI.
4. Police Dept to order "parking bootsH for enforcement of multiple unpaid parking
offenses (approx. t/$ of offenses go unpaid and courts \von)t enforce).
5. Limit dle maximum nUlnber of King ~-\venue employee parking pennits to 110, \vith
the unders tanding tha t a penuit does NOT guarantee an available s tall. FREE
overflo\v employee parking \vill be those un-posted areas of I\Jain Street and Lo\vell,
\vest of dIe do\vnto\vn area (roughly 64 stalls), IGng ~~\ve employee parking pennits
to be issued on a 6-month basis and at a rate of $10 per month for the benefit of
parking cIa ser.
IGng i\ve Elnplovee Parking
Elnployee stalls (upon relocation of resident stalls)
iv!aximum permits to be issued
Permit issuance
* First National Bank (per Easelnent ..:~\greement)
* Remaining permits available
96
110
23
87
Currently over 200 employees representing 49 businesses have been issued penults
(not including Inultiple pennirs).
The Focus Group \vas not able to reach agreement on the best systelTI for issuing a litnited
number of pennlts. The follo\ving options \vere briefly discussed:
Lottery / randoln dra\v
First-coIne, flIst-serv-e
l\Teeting of business o\vners to \vork it out on their Q\Vll
3. Next Steps
1\'15, f\-'fehelich stated since the group \vas unable to reach agreement on this issue that the
recoffilucndauon to the City Council regarding changes to the parking regulations and
permitting system \vill be postponed. She stated that staff \vill meet to discuss additional
options for discussion at the next Focus Group meeting.
Focus group Inelnbers \vere encouraged to discuss the proposed changes \vith their
respective blocks of neighboring businesses for feedback.
Staff outlined a series of options for future discussion regarding d1e Phase II transition of
enlployee parking. TIle options included:
· lTIodif-y as-is permitting system
. north I-I \vy 10 10 ts
. on-street periphery parking
· sharing of privately o\vned lots
. busing! shuttling [roin north H \\'y 10 lots
· parking ramp
· nc\v I expand surface lot
Downtown Parking Focus Group
1\ I arch 12, 2007
PJgc 3 of3
Subtrutted by,
..//? ,
1/ 'l~ d;?'/ / /
L .({?4J-.://.c-;hJL ~/~~//
Catherine rvfehelic h
Director of Economic Development
MEETING OF THE ELK RIVER
DOWNTOWN PARKING FOCUS GROUP
HELD AT UPPER TOWN CONFERENCE ROOM, CITY HALL
MONDAY, FEBRUARY 26,2007
fvlen1 bers Pres en t:
Larry Toth, Nick Zenvas, Tamara Ackerman, Bill I-Ioulton, Pat D\vyer,
Dave RYluanO\vski, \T ern I-Ianson, Denny \X'alsh
lvIcru b ers j\ bs en t:
I<:'cith I-Iolme, Fred lvIcCoy, Jeff I<rueger
Staff Present:
Director of Econolnic Development Catherine :rvIehelich, COlrununity
Development Director Scott Clark, Chief of Police Jeff Beahen
1. Revie\v of February 12~ 2007 Ivleeting Nlinutes
The nunutes of tbe February 12, 2007 Do\vnto\vn Parking Focus Group meeting \vere
revie\ved and approycd by consensus of dle attendees.
1v1s. ivlehelich provided an overvic\v of the purpose of this lueeting \vhich is to provide input
to staff on proposed 111odifications to the current do\vnto\vn parking regulations and
pertnitting systelTI.
2. Presentation and Discussion of Proposed Changes to Current Parking System
Chief oEPolice Beahen distributed to members a "La\v Enforcement Parking Overvie\v &
Suulmary of Survey"~ ChiefBeahen provided an overvie\v of his research on sitnilar
do\vn to\vn cOll1ruunicies, including I-Iopkins, S till\vater, St. Cloud) Chanhassen, N onvood-
Young illuerica and Anoka.
Chief Bcahcn concluded the presentation \vith his recorrunendatiol1s for luoclificacions to the
current do\vnto\vn parking regulations and permitting system.
Focus Group melubers discussed agreement on the follo\vmg proposed changes to the
parking system, recognizing that the systeln may change after 12-18months:
1. EnforCClnent of do\vnto\vn parking regulations ends after 6:00 p.IU. and \veekends,
\vhich \vould allo\v evening do\vnto\vn \vorkers to move cars closer to place of
business to ease safety concerns. TIus issue Inay need to be revisited based on
anticipated increase in evening/\Veekel1d parking demand from nc\v businesses and
park activities.
2. All do\vnto\vn resident and overnight guests parking that are not being provided by
the property o\vner \vill be required to park in city lots north of fligh'\vay 10 by
pertnit. Police Dept to order elnergency posts (approx. $500 each) to ease safety
concerns in the north parking lots~
3. Change the ti.tne limits for I<ing ~;\ve lot to 3-hour (Eroln 4-hour) and all on-street
parking to 2-hour (from 3-hour). Consideration may be made in the future for
some i-hour parking on-street for businesses that require availability of stalls \vith
quicker turnover (c.g~ bank, co ffee shop, chiropractor, etc.)
4. Police Dept to order Uparking boots" for enforcement of multiple unpaid parking
offenses (approx. 1/4 of offenses go unpaid and courts \von't enforce).
Downtown Parking Focus Group
r;cbruary 26, 2007
Page 2 of2
5. Limit the Inax.imum number of I<ing Avenue elnployee parking permits at a rate not
to exceed 100/0 higher than the available permitted spots (derived frain SL Cloud
policy)~ According to ChiefBeahen dlere are currendy 270 pertnits dlat have been
issued for 88 employee stalls in the I<ing Ave lot
Employee parking permits \vould be fee-based at a rate of $10 per lTIonth for the
benefit of parking closer. j\lternative employee parking \vould be available at no
charge and no time limit (except for street cleaning pUlposes) on-street \vest of
Lo\vell & iv[ain or in d1e city lots north of I-Iigh\vay 1 O.
Issues to be addressed yet include:
I-Io\v to issue the linuted number of perlnits (1 per business and res t on lottery?
Or flrst-colue, flIst-serve?
}Io\v often to reissue pertn1ts to allo\v nc\v businesses to apply (annual, senu-
ann unl or quarterly?)
3. Next Steps
Chief Beahen \vill draft hvo options on ho\v to issue limited nUlnber of employee pcnnits
for discussion at the next meeting. !vIs. lvlehelich s ta ted that at the next lueeting s tafE \vill be
looking for the Focus Group to formalize a recommendation to the City Council on
modifications to the parking system. In addition d1e group \vill begin to discuss options for
lTIoving en1ployee parking to the periphery (phase II).
Submitted by,
/~
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(..@bk?1ft-kU//
Catherine Ivlehclich
Director of Econoluic Development
MEETING OF THE ELK RIVER
DOWNTOWN PARKING FOCUS GROUP
HELD AT UPPER TOWN CONFERENCE ROOM, CITY HALL
MONDAY, FEBRUARY 12, 2007
l'vlen1 bers P resen t:
I<eith I-Iolme, Larry T oth) Tamara Ackerlnan, Bill I-Ioulton, J efE l<rueger,
Pat D\vyer, Dave Rymano\vski, '1 ern I-Ianson, Denny \\falsh
Ivlelubers .A.bsen t:
Fred :tvIcCoy , Nick Zenvas
S tafE Pres en t:
Director of Econollllc Developlnent Catherine ivlehelich) COlumunity
Developtuent Director Scott Clark) Chief oEPolice Jeff Beahen
1. In troductions and Revic\v Group Tasks
Focus Group luembers \vcre i.ntroduced to each other~ lvIs. 1.vlehelich provided background
on d1e City Council's formation of the parking focus group and tasks being requested of the
group. She presented a \vork plan and Ineeting schedule to accomplish the follo\villg
requested tasks:
. Develop and recolrunend lTIodifications to the city's regulatory and adnunistrative
parking permit process (phase I)~
· Develop and recormnend policies for transition of en1ployce parking to the periphery
of do\vnto\vn (phase II)~
· Develop analysis and reconunend policies for future consideration of parking ran1p
(phase III)~
She stated the expectation is for the group to provide a report and recolnn1endation to the
City Council as each task is completed and tile recommendations for long-tefIll parking
solutions \vould also be considered by the current Do\vnto\vn Redeveloptnent Plan
Taskforce.
2. Background Infonnation and Assun1pcions
IvIr~ Clark provided an overvic\v of the November 20,2006 Cit:y Councillueeting and the
assumptions \vhich the Council accepted.
3. Discuss Current Parking Regulations and Pern1itting Process
Focus Group lnembers stated the follo\ving questions and concerns about the current
parking p races s:
. Inquired about cost and capacity potential of the various parking ramp design
options~ ivIr. Clark stated d1at an average cost for a parking ralnp is $15,000 per stall.
. Tuning of opening issuance of parking permits (in time for ne\v cOlu111ercial tenants),
and \vhat the broker can cOlnmunicate to the prospects in the lueantllne
. No ne\\' parking permits are available until modifications to the current parking
regulations can be approved by Council (follo\ving reC0ffi111Cndacion by the Focus
Group). Chief Beaben stated employees can be parking on-street in the periphery
areas to dle \vest of Lo\vell \vhere there are no tirl1e lllnits..
Do\vnrown Parking Focus C;roup
February 12, 2007
Page 2 of 3
· There is interest from some do\vnto\vn businesses to pay (or have employees pay) for
d1e benefit of being able to park closer to their business.
. There relnains concern among some do\vnto\vn businesses about the safety of
employees crossing I-ligh\vay 1 0 for parking, and safety concerns for elnployees \vho
\vork evening shifts and have to \valk to remote parking areas. The group discussed
the follo\ving options to address tllcse concerns:
· Evening shift employees being able to Inove their vehicles closer after a certain hour
· I-laving parking tagging/ enforcen1cnt end by a certain hour, e.g. Anoka ends 6:00 p.lll.
. Installing safety devices (cameras in lots) blue emergency call posts)
· Install blinking lights 011 .H:igh\vay 10 \varning drivers of oncolning "red light" to slo\v
traffic, better timing of the I-ligh\vay lO signals to allo\v more time for pedes trian
crossing, constructing a pedestrian bridge) install stoplight at Lo\vell & I-I\vy 10 to
slo,v traffic.
· An understanding that evening and \veekend denland \vill be the highest \vith nc\v
residents) yisitors and businesses~ and park acti\rities.
· j\t this tUne the business mi~ for the ne\v developlnellts are general retail)
office/ service. No hea1ry traffic/parking businesses have been proposed yet) due to
available parking concerns.
· Agreenlent that the current 3 and 4-hour parking time limits are too long for 1110St
businesses and customers. Instead it is bei.ng abused by some eluployees tTIoving
their vehicles. According to Chief Beahen's research, most cities have 90-tninute to 2-
hour titne limit ll1axinlums. f\greelnent that 2-hour parking on-street \vould \vork,
along \vith a fe\v 3-hour stalls near the beauty shops for their spa clients.
· Use of north I-ligh\vay 10 parking lots Inakes the most economic sense) is closest and
has the most available parking) if safety modifications can be made. It \vas noted that
d1e safety modifications to the :NIaitl Street & I-I\V}r 10 intersectio111uade a definite
improvelnent.
· The Bank of Elk. River \vill be relieving some demand on the I<ing A vc. parking lot
eluployee pertuit area in the next \veek \vhen the Bank)s lot is completed. It is
estimated this \vill relieve 20 employee stalls) \vith apprOx.lll1ately 12 elnployee pernuts
remainIng.
· Discussion about the option of shared private parking during closed business hours
(evenings & \veekends) - pritnarily \virh 1~he Bank of Elk River and First National
Bank of Elk River. lvlain concern by private parking o\vners is that residents of nc\v
developments Inay use d1e spaces) and issues \vith ho\v to best manage and patrol.
· lVlelubers \vere encouraged to look at odler do\vnto\vns for ho\v they handle
employee parking. ChiefBeahen distributed a recent article about do\vnto\vn Fargo,
ND reinstating parking Inetcrs due to cluployees abusing the free parking and 1110ving
cars to b ea t th e time lirni ts.
· Currently over 300 eluployee parking pernuts have been issued for the 80 en1ployee
designated stalls in the I<ing Ave parking lot. The group needs to identify \vhat the
priority is for parking - elnployee or cllstolner. Do\vnto\vn Elk River is unique \vith
lni'"( of office (employee demanded) and destination retail (Custolller delnanded),. this
makes the solutions lnore challenging. No\v \ve \vill be adding a 3rJ dynanuc to nll..~-
residen rial.
· \T ern J-Ianson offered to cOlumunicate to their residents dlat overflo\v resident &
guest parking is available in the parking lots north of I-ligh\vay 10 and this \vould \vork
Do\vnto\vn Parking Focus Group
February 12, 2007
Page 3 of 3
for them since a high demand of overflo\v is not expected.
· Long term parking considerations need to be identified earlier on in the next
redevelopruent project/process. Future projects and the city need to find a balance
benveen the code requirelnent on dle number of parking stalls and \vhat is realistic in
an urbani do\vnto\vn environment.
· There is an opportunity nQ\V to create a better system if overnight and \veekend
overflo\v park.ing locations can be identified for businesses and residents upfront
rad1er than retraining.
· City and do\vnto\vn stakeholders Inay need to revisit every 3 or 4 months to check-in
on ho\v the parking system is \vorking as d1e ne\v developments \vill go through a
series of evolutions \vith events,. residents, ne\v businesses and gro\vth/ success of
exis ring busin esses.
· Existing businesses \vill need to recognize addressing parking issues \vill require
retraining cluployee expectations, as long as \ve can corrunun1cate alternative locations
for d1em to park and address their safety concerns.
Staff \vill be follo\ving up on many of the questions raised including the safety modification
op tions and beginning to outline a InatrL~ indica ring the various Phase II options to address
employee parking demands.
i\ t the next meeting scheduled for l'vIonday, F ebluary 26th Chief Beahen \vill be presen ting
proposed changes to the current parking regulations and permitting process. The group \vill
be asked to provide staff feedback on the proposed changes and to forn1alize a
reCoffitnendation to the City Council on proposed changes to d1e current systelTI. I{eith
f-Iohne indicated he \vill be out of to,vn for the next meeting.
Subtnitted by,
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en therine 1Ylehelich
Director of Econonuc Developn1cnt
MEMORANDUM
TO: Mayor & City Council
FROM: Downtown Parl<ing Focus Group
DATE: April 9, 2006
SUBJECT: Recommended Modifications to the Downtown Parl<ing
Regulatory & Permitting Process
1\5 cfuected by tlle City Council, tile Do\vnto\vn Parking Focus Group has re1lie\ved tile
Cll!rent do\vnto\vn parking regulations and perln1tting process over tlle past t\VQ lTIOntlls.
Based on the group's analysis, tlle follo\ving reconunendations bav"e been forlnulated by
COl1sensus of tile group for consideration and unplelnentation by dle City Council fo~ the
Phase I tUne period of Spring 2007 through Spring 2008:
.Regulatory /Enforcelnent Tvloclifications:
1. Change d1e titne llinits for:
. I<ing j\ve lot to 3-11our (froIn 4-11our)
. On-street parking to 2-110ur (from 3-11our)
· The section of nortll IvIain Street bet\veen Jackson j\. ve and in front of tlle
Bank of Elk Ri'ler \vill be posted l-hour.
· A fe\v stalls along Jackson A,re in front benveen I(etnper Drug and DiaLTIOnd
City Bread \vill be posted l-hour.
2. EnforCClnent of do\vnto\vn parking regulations ends after 6:00 p.m. and
\veekends, \Vitl1 tlle exception of enforcelnent of overnight parking regulations
(no parking 2ulu-6alu) \vhich \vould allO\V evening do\vnto\vn \vorkers to Inove
cars closer to place of business to ease safety concerns. '"fbis issue lnay l1eed to
be re,risited based on anticipated increase in evening/\veekend parking delnand
from ne\v businesses and park activities.
3. The City Police Department should consider purchasing '(parking boots" for
enforcement of multiple unpaid parking offenses (approx. Vat of offenses go
unpaid and cowts \von't enforce).
Downtown Parking F oeus G roup Recommended
L\fodifiC~l.tions to Rt.:blllbtory & Pc.:nnitting Process
:\pril 9j 1007
Page :2 of 2
Safety IYIodifications:
1. The City should consider purchasing and installing emergency. posts to ease
safety concerns in tlle nordl parking lots and in tlle I<ing Avenue lot~
Permitting Process 1:vIodificarions:
1. All do\vnto\vn resident and overnight guests parlci.ng tllat are not being
provided by tlle property Q\vner \vill be required to park in city lots nordl of
High\vay 10 by permit, \vhicl1 \vill be issued at no cost
2~ Li.1nit tlle lnaxi1nwn number of I<ing j\ venue eluployee parking pel1.nits to
110, \vidl tlle understanding dlat a permit does NOT guarantee an a,railable
stall. FREE overflo\v elnployee parlci.ng \vill be tllose un-posted areas of
ivlain Street and Lo\vell) \vest of tlle do\vnto,vn area (roughly 64 stalls). I<ing
f\ve employee parlci.ng permits to be issued on a 3-1nontl1 basis and at a rate
of 510 per mandl for tlle privilege to park closer.
I<.ing _A. ,rc Etnployee Parking
Employee stalls (upon relocation of 8 residellt permits)
First National Bank permits (per Easement Agreelnent)
Balance of a,railable stalls
Pettnits a,railable at rate of 1500/0 of available stalls
96 stalls
23 p erlm ts I s tails
73 stalls
110 perl1uts
Currently over 200 elnployees representing 49 businesses have been issued
perrnits (not including multiple permits). It is estitnated tllat Jackson Place
and Bluffs could eventually include up to 15 ne\v businesses total.
3. Ilnplelnent the follo\ving system for issuing employee parking perlmts:
Ivlail do\vnto\vn business and property o\vners inforlnation on tlle ne\v rules
along \Vitll pertuit application and deadline, including but not llinited to a
statement tllat a permit to park in I<.ing A,re lot is a privilege and a paid
perrnit \vill not guarantee an open spot at all titnes~ Elnployee parlci.ng
perlmts to be issued by Police Dept on a quarterly basis at tlle cost of $10 per
Inontll~
All business/property Q\vners by address should ha've tlle right to purchase '1
perlnit (upon receipt of application by deadline), tllen assess tlle situariO!l and
establish systetn for issuing balance of available perlnits if any exist
NUlnber of employee-to-customer parking spaces ratio and nmnber of
available permits to be reevaluated by a similar parlci.ng focus group on a
quarterly basis \Vitll any changes autl10rized by Council prior to permit
IS s uan ceo
S:\Downtown Rc\ritalizauon\Parking\2007 Parking Focu~ Group\4.~+07 t\kmo to CounciLuoc
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