Agenda
8.13.2008 Parking Committee Minutes
I.
Roll Call
A. A meeting of the City of Medford Parking District Committee was called to order at 8:00 a.m., on the above date, in the Medford Urban Renewal Agency, Conference Room, 45 South Holly Street, by Chair Jim Smith, with the following Members and Staff in attendance:
COMMITTEE MEMBERS:
Present
James (?Jim?) Smith, Chair, Salon Nouveau
Tom Basgen, Vice Chair, Medford Builders Exchange
Doris Cearley, Main Antique Mall
Grant Lagorio, RCC, Director of Facilities Dept
George Schroeder, Secretary, Schroeder?s
Absent
Mark Millner, Terra Firma
Mark Seus, Hubbard?s Hardware
AD-HOC MEMBERS:
Present
Brian Rogers, Brian Rogers Building Design, Heart of Medford Association President
Denise Bostwick, City of Medford Municipal Court Clerk
ENFORCEMENT:
Present
Meredith Riebel, Manager, Action Parking Services, Inc
STAFF:
Present
Jackie Rodgers, Executive Director, MURA
Errin Sills, Office Administrator, MURA
Terri Rozzana, Administrative Support Technician, MURA
II.
Minutes
A. Parking Committee Minutes July 9, 2008
Chair Jim Smith inquired whether there were any corrections or additions to the July 9, 2008 Parking Committee meeting minutes. Hearing no corrections or additions, Mr. Smith stated that the minutes stand approved as submitted.
III.
Communications from Audience
There were none
IV.
Court Report
Staff reported that during the month of July 2008, there were 784 citations issued. Per Denise, in some cases Judge Haberlach is contacting, by telephone, the recipients? of citations to educate them regarding the reason of the citation.
Denise stated that Judge Haberlach dismisses quite a few citations that are issued for the City Block Rule due to the recipient not understanding the Rule. Jackie Rodgers inquired of Denise whether the Agency could receive, in writing, the Judges? reason as to why he dismissed a citation. Denise reported that most of the citations dismissed are due to lack of understanding of the rules.
Jim Smith briefly discussed and suggested several minor changes to the ticket totals versus court totals graph. Mr. Smith stated that 14 (not 9) is the correct number for overtime parking citations appealed to the court, per the court report.
V.
Correspondence
A. Email from Council Representative Bob Strosser, dated July 11, 2008, re: City/MURA Contractor Parking in Downtown.
Staff has advised a remedy to Action Parking of any future parking issues with regard to construction vehicles in the Downtown Parking District.
Information only. No action required.
B. Email from Mr. Tillinghast, dated June 30, 2008, re: City Block Rule. Response letter from Staff to Mr. Tillinghast, dated August 4, 2008
Staff reported that Mr. Tillinghast emailed the City of Medford City Council regarding the City Block Rule.
Action Parking reported that Mr. Tillinghast has since purchased a parking permit.
No action required.
VI.
News Articles
A. New York Times article, July 12, 2008, re: ?Can?t Find a Parking Spot? Check the Smartphone?
The article states that San Francisco drivers will be alerted to empty parking spaces either by displays on street signs, or by looking at maps on screens of their smart phones. They may even be able to pay for parking by cell phone, and add to the parking meter from their cell phones without returning to the car.
The article was included in the agenda packet for informational purposes only. Article was provided by a Medford Urban Renewal Agency Board member.
B. The Wall Street Journal article, June 17, 2008, re: ?Suburbs a Mile Too Far for Some
The article refers to demographic changes and high gasoline prices that may hasten the demand for urban living.
The article was included in the agenda packet for informational purposes only. Article was provided by a Medford Urban Renewal Agency Board member.
C. Oregon Downtown Development Association, article, re: ?Mixing it up on Mainstreet? ?Park once ? Walk often?
The article inferred that pedestrians, bicycles, transit and cars should all have their place in downtown. A key goal is to have a downtown where people ?park once and walk often?, rather than ?park often and walk once.?
The article was included in the agenda packet for informational purposes only. Article was provided by Heart of Medford Association Director.
VII.
New Business
A. Downtown Parking District Program Accomplishments Fiscal Year 2007-2008
Staff reported that the Parking Committee is to be commended for their participation. Downtown Parking District Program Accomplishments for Fiscal Year 2007-2008 were provided to the Committee.
VIII.
Old Business
A. Intergovernmental Agreement: RVTD Bike Racks
Staff stated that the Intergovernmental Agreement (IGA) was approved by the City of Medford Legal Department on Friday, August 8, 2008. On Monday, August 11, 2008 Staff forwarded the IGA to Paige Townsend at Rogue Valley Transportation District (RVTD) who forwarded the agreement to RVTD?s legal department for approval before signing. Next step is approval by the MURA Board.
B. Alley Parking Permit
Staff is continuing to write the ordinance language for the Alley Parking Permit. Once completed, Staff will forward the finished product to the City of Medford Legal Department for approval. Currently, there is no substantial verbiage or code to enforce violators.
C. Student Parking Permits: RCC Link to Website
Grant Lagorio presented a poster size map of the City Center Off-Street Public Parking that is presented to RCC students during orientation. MURA?s map updates occur with major changes in the downtown. An update is scheduled for early 2009.
D. Update: Library Drop Box
Staff reported that Karen Foster contacted the Agency, on August 4, 2008, stating that the Friends of the Library Board were interested in the Agency?s revision to their proposed placement of two book drop boxes in parking lot No. 3. The Agency proposes to convert the two 5-minute parking spaces currently used for book drop parking to a drive-thru book drop. This could be accomplished by widening the parking spaces from 9 feet to 11 feet: painting the appropriate directional trafficking signage and installation of the book drop boxes in the landscape planter area currently located near those parking spaces. The two parking spaces that would be reduced in size would be converted and designated as ?Motorcycle Parking Only?.
The Agency is working on an Intergovernmental Agreement (IGA). Once completed, the IGA will be forwarded to the Agency Board for approval.
E. Update: Evergreen Mixed-Use Streetscape Plaza Project
Staff reported that downtown patrons will soon notice the orange fencing around the Evergreen Mixed-Use Project coming down and construction of broadening the sidewalks and landscaping will be taking place. Estimated completion date is prior to the 2008 holiday season.
F. Grower?s Market
Staff reported that Committee member, Mr. Mark Millner, was scheduled to update the Committee regarding his meeting with the Grower?s Market, but was called out of town.
Staff stated that the N. Evergreen Way Parking, between Main Street north to 4th Street and south from 8th to 10th Streets are being considered for use by a Grower?s Market. Attendees would be able to park in the Evergreen Parking Structure. A Grower?s Market is currently held at the Armory on Thursday?s.
Staff reported that in September 2008 the Grower?s Market will be actively looking for a new location. The Grower?s Market was not receptive of the Evergreen Way location; they believe it is not wide enough. They prefer locating on Bartlett Street, at this point, anyway. They did mention that the 1-hour timed parking would need to be changed to at least 2-hour timed parking. Tom Basgen suggested that instead of changing the timed parking signage; install covers over the current timed parking signage.
Brian Rogers reported that the Grower?s Market approached the Heart of Medford Association several years ago in regards to relocating downtown.
IX,
Announcements
Brian Rogers stated that the volunteers at the Southern Oregon Historical Society are complaining about the attitudes of Action Parking PEO?s. Brian suggested to the Southern Oregon Historical Society that they address their issues in writing to the Downtown Parking District Committee.
Staff reported that Mark Rivers, Lithia?s Developer of The Commons Project, reported to City Council last Thursday, August 7, 2008 that Lithia is unable to move forward on the project at this time. All parties are in compliance with the Disposition and Development Agreement.
Staff stated that the ribbon cutting ceremony of the RCC/SOU Joint Higher Education Facility is scheduled for September 3, 2008. Also, the RVTD/Greyhound Terminal is scheduled for their grand opening on September 22, 2008.
Staff reported that construction completion date of the RCC/SOU/Bartlett Streetscape project from 8th Street to Bartlett Street is scheduled for the end of October 2008.
Staff informed the Committee that orange fencing and no trespassing signage will be installed around the Greyhound Bus Garage on Apple and 4th Streets until completion of a structural review.
Staff stated that since the old Greyhound Depot is earmarked for parking, the Parking Committee has a voice as to what happens to the building once Greyhound moves out in September 2008. Currently, Sweetwater Café subleases space from Greyhound in the old depot building.
Jim Smith inquired about the status of updating the VenTek machine in Middleford Parking Structure to accept credit cards. Staff reported that funds are not available at this time. It will be reviewed periodically.
George Schroeder inquired as to when undergrounding of utilities would take place in Theater Alley. Staff reported that undergrounding the utilities in Theater Alley is part of the RCC/SOU/Bartlett Streetscape Project.
Jim Smith inquired as to when the restriping of the Middleford Parking Facility, that also includes restriping for motorcycles, would take place. Staff reported that the project was put on hold due to funding and scheduling remodel of the parking structure according to The Commons Disposition and Development Agreement. Jackie Rodgers requested that the file be pulled for her review.
Doris Cearely inquired as to the parking arrangements for residents that live in the apartments above some of the downtown businesses. Staff reported that residents generally park on-street from 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m. There are no residential parking issues.
George Schroeder commented that the Annual City of Medford Picnic is September 3, 2008 from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Staff reported that Ms. Sandra Woodruff presented to the Medford Urban Renewal Agency Board of Directors on Tuesday, August 12, 2008 that she is being harassed by the Downtown Parking Enforcement. She has received two citations. One was dismissed by the Municipal Court Judge, who in her opinion was very rude. She has not yet received her refund from the dismissed citation. Meredith Riebel reported that the refund check was sent to Ms. Woodruff on July 16, 2008. Jackie Rodgers requested that Meredith provide backup so that the Agency can address Ms. Woodruff?s issues of not receiving the refund.
X.
Adjournment
The meeting was adjourned at approximately 9:05 a.m.
Submitted by:
Terri L. Rozzana
Administrative Support Technician
Approved by:
James Smith, PhD
Parking Committee Chair
City of Medford
DOWNTOWN PARKING DISTRICT COMMITTEE MEETING
MINUTES
Meeting: Wednesday, August 13, 2008
P:\Parking\Parking Committee\Minutes\2008\Parking Committee Meeting Minutes 08.08.13.doc
City of Medford ? Downtown Parking District Committee
Committee Members: Tom Basgen, Doris Cearley, Grant Lagorio, Mark Millner, George Schroeder, Mark Seus, James Smith
Medford Urban Renewal Agency Staff: Jackie Rodgers (541) 774-2702 ? Errin Sills (541) 774-2706 ? Terri Rozzana (541) 774-2703 ? Frances Cano (541) 774-2707
M.U.R.A.: www.downtownmedford.com ? City of Medford: www.ci.medford.or.us
8.13.2008 Agenda
Attendance
Roll Call
Approval of Minutes
Minutes of July 9, 2008
Communications from Audience
Court Report
Correspondence
Email from Bob Strosser, Councilman, dated July 11, 2008, re: City/MURA
Contractor Parking in Downtown.
Email from Mr.Tillinghast, dated June 30, 2008, re: City Block Rule.
Response letter from Staff to Mr. Tillinghast, dated August 4, 2008
News Articles
New York Times article, July 12, 2008, re: Can?t Find a Parking Spot? Check
the Smartphone. Information Only ? Provided by Board Member
The Wall Street Journal article, June 17, 2008, re: Suburbs a Mile Too Far for
Some Information Only ? Provided by Board Member
C. Oregon Downtown Development Association, article, re: Mixing it up on
Mainstreet re: Park once ? Walk often Provided by HMA Director
New Business
A. Downtown Parking District Program Accomplishments Fiscal Year 2007-2008
Old Business
Intergovernmental Agreement: RVTD Bike Racks
Alley Parking Permit
Student Parking Permits: RCC link to website
Update: Library drop box
Update: Evergreen Mixed-Use Streetscape Plaza Project
Grower s Market
Announcements
Adjournment
Next Meeting: Wednesday, September 10, 2008
