CR 93-086 Munincipal Lot #900
June 9, 1993
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council Report: 93-86
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MUNICIPAL LOT #900
PARKING ENFORCEMENT ISSUE
Proposed Action.
Staff recommends adoption of the following motion: "Move to continue to
allow Lot #900 to be a free. unrestricted parkinq area."
This motion will allow Lot #900 to continue to remain a free, unrestricted
parking lot.
Overview.
The Parking Committee moved to make Lot #900 into a free, unrestricted
parking area at their meeting on April 17, 1992, at the request of about
twelve business/property owners in the area. The property owners requested
this because they wanted an area where their employees, some of who are
leither minimum wage or part time, would be able to park for free. The
I Council subsequently approved the Parking Committee recommendation on May
5, 1992 with a stipulation that the issue be reviewed approximately 6
months from then.
On December 2, 1992, staff recommended to the Council that Lot #900
continue to be monitored in order to provide data on whether or not to once
again charge a permit fee for parking in this lot.
Staff indicated to the Council that they would bring this issue back to
them in May, 1993 after review by the parking Committee, for final action.
On May 19. 1993. the Parking Committee reviewed this issue and a~proved a
recommendation to the city Council to continue to allow Lot #900 to be a
free. unrestricted parking area.
Primary Issues to Consider.
o What are the financial implications of allowing Lot 900 to remain
a free lot?
o What are the anticipated improvements to be undertaken in Lot 900
in the near future?
o What are the results of the Lot 900 survey?
o What is the reason for the staff recommendation?
o What are the parking Committee comments?
o Alternatives.
Supportinq Information.
o Map
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Community Development
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Specialist
council Report 93-86
Lot 900
Page 2
Primary Issues to Consider.
Based upon the information provided, the City Council has the following
issues to consider:
o What are the financial implications of allowing lot 900 to remain a
fre lot?
Records indicate that in 1991, revenue from the sale of 1/2 price permits,
which are for Lot 900 only, was approximately $1,200.
It would be anticipated that if the 1/2 price permit system were
implemented by August 1, 1993, that approximately $300 - $400 would be
generated in 1993. It is likely 1994 revenues would once again be
approximately $1,200 based upon a 1/2 price permit for this lot.
1/2 price permits would cost:
o
o
o
Yearly
Quarterly
Monthly
$46.00
12.75
5.75
o What are the anticipated improvements to be undertaken in Lot 900 in
the near future?
staff is currently examining the costs involved in constructing a new fence
along the west side of Lot 900. It appears from previous estimates, that
the cost of a wooden fence to be constructed would be approximately $3,000.
staff has received complaints from neighbors in this area regarding the
negative visual impact of this fence. Additionally, Public Works is
required to repair vandalism to this fence on at least a monthly basis.
The fence along the north side of this lot was replaced in 1991.
o What are the results of the Lot 900 survey?
Prior to any action taken on this issue in 1992, staff began surveying the
usage in Lot #900. There are 87 spaces available in Lot #900. Staff
continued surveying the lot after action was taken to make it a free,
unrestricted parking area. The survey was taken at various times throughout
the day. The results are as follows:
Date # of cars in Lot 900
Wed. Jun. 3, 1992 34
Mon. Jun. 8, 1992 40
Tues. Jun. 9, 1992 37
Wed. Jun. 10, 1992 32
Fri. Jun. 12, 1992 30
Wed. Jun. 24, 1992 35
Thur. Jun. 25, 1992 34
council Report 93-86
Lot 900
Page 3
Fri. Jun. 26, 1992
41
Avg. 35
*** July 1, 1992 - Lot 900 became a free, unrestricted lot.
Tues. Jul. 21, 1992 41
Tues. Aug. 11, 1992 34
Wed. Aug. 19, 1992 37
Mon. Aug. 24, 1992 39
Tues. Sep. 8, 1992 41
Wed. Sep. 16, 1992 43
Mon. Sep. 28, 1992 50
Thur. Oct. 29, 1992 46
Avg. 41
Wed. Jan. 27, 1993 34
Fri. Feb. 5, 1993 22
Thur. Feb. 25, 1993 29
Tues. Mar. 9, 1993 39
Fri. Mar. 26, 1993 25
Mon. Apr. 12, 1993 38
Tues. Apr. 20, 1993 22-
. Avg. 31
=
It appears from this analysis that there has been little or no effective
change in the usage of this lot from when it was changed to a free lot.
o What is the reason for the staff recommendation?
The staff recommendation is based upon a number of comments which have been
received regarding the free, unrestricted parking available in Lot #900.
o First Bank employees have commented favorably toward being able
to park in Lot #900 without having to purchase a permit.
o FBS Mortgage recently relocated from south Minneapolis to the
First Bank building. Most of the 90 employees are electing to
utilize the free parking in Lot #900. A very small percentage
have chosen to purchase ramp parking permits in order to take
advantage of the covered parking.
o A great percentage of employees of Tait's Super Valu continue to
utilize Lot #900 because it is a free lot.
o Staff has had numerous opportunities within the past year tell
people that Lot #900 is a free, unrestricted parking area. There
is only one other free area, which is the County Right of Way. It
appears that Lot #900 is a much more "user-friendly" area within
which to park, than the County Right-of-Way, in addition to it
being easier to find and potentially safer for someone to access
their vehicles.
council Report 93-86
Lot 900
Page 4
The advantage to encouraging this type of employee parking in Lot #900 is
that the spaces which are in higher demand remain available to customers,
rather than employees. These are the spaces located, in this case, in Lot
#500 (Tait's), and Lot #600 (First Bank).
For these reasons staff is recommending that Lot #900 remain a free,
unrestricted parking area.
o What are the parking Committee comments?
The Parking Committee commented that they felt it was appropriate to allow
lot #900 to remain a free lot because of the fact that many employees of
Tait's and Boston Garden frequently utilize this lot, thereby leaving the
more valuable spaces available for customers.
On May 19, 1993, the Parking Committee reviewed this issue and approved a
recommendation to the City Council to continue to allow Lot #900 to be a
free, unrestricted parking area.
Alternatives.
Based on the information given, the City Council has the following
alternatives available to them at this time:
1. Approve motion as recommended by staff.
2. Approve motion to begin charging a permit fee for parking in Lot
#900. with this action, staff would recommend the following:
o Keep this lot as a 1/2 price permit lot, as it was
prior to making it a free, unrestricted parking
lot. These 1/2 price fees are $46 for a yearly
permit, $12.75 for a quarterly permit, and $5.75
for a monthly permit.
o Begin reinstatement of the permit system in this
lot on August 1, 1993.
3. Continue this item for further information from staff.
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