Downtown Development Authority Minutes

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Present: DDA Members: Christopher Johnson, Margene Buckhave, Jim DeHaan, Lynda Heaton, Lou LaChance, Dave Larsen, Jim Long, Greg Presley, Rick Shaffner.

Absent: None.

Also Present: City Manager Gary Word, DDA Director Lori Ward (arrived at 8:20 a.m.), DPW Director Jim Gallogly, School Board President Joan Wadsworth, Sue Dillon of Graphic Visions, Reporter Maureen Johnston, Bob Buckhave, and Ron Bodnar.

Approval of Minutes: There being no corrections or additions, the minutes were approved for the meeting of November 10, 2003 and the Public Information Meeting of December 8, 2003.

Parking Credit Fee Adjustment – City Manager Word stated that, at budget hearings of last spring, City Council had requested that staff review the amounts charged for the sale of parking credits allowed in the City’s Central Business District. At present, the current charge is $3200 per credit for changes of use and for expansions to existing buildings of less than 50% additional floor space. For new buildings and expansions of existing buildings in excess of 50% additional floor space, the charge is $4500 per parking credit. The last adjustment was done in the spring of 1999. It has been proposed that the charge be adjusted from $3200 to $3600, and from $4500 to $4900.

Questions and discussion revolved around the following points:

- Current status of the parking credit fund.

- Expenditures that are paid from the fund.

- Legality of parking credits.

- Other municipalities having a parking credit system.

- Method of configuring floor space which factors into parking space requirements.

- Possible grandfathering proposed developments into any price increase.

Staff was directed to investigate the current cost of providing a parking space if constructed on a lot and/or in a parking structure.

Signage Project / Sue Dillon of Graphic Visions – Ms. Dillon presented two similar designs for parking direction signs and parking lot signs as chosen by the Sign Subcommittee, which included a burgundy top, black background, and either gold or white lettering. Additionally, a directory map was designed. Discussion ensued regarding placing a directory kiosk in one or two locations in downtown, and the updating and upkeep of the kiosks. It was pointed out that the cost of maintaining and updating the kiosks should be placed in the annual DDA budget. Ms. Dillon was directed to build a mock-up sign with white lettering on a black background and one with gold lettering on a black background. She was also requested to present a quote of two and four directory signs, and recommend the number of parking directory signs and parking lot signs to be placed in the City.

2004-2005 DDA Goals and Objectives – All City departments are requested to submit their goals and objectives for fiscal year 2004-2005. Director Ward submitted a tentative DDA list for Board review. It was pointed out that it would be best to have the goal of completing a Business Recruitment Retention package, in conjunction with the Chamber of Commerce, be realized prior to the current Chamber Executive Director’s retirement of April 1, 2004.

Discussion on Downtown Parking - A review of the Public Information Meeting was conducted and discussion centered on:

- Utilizing the empty spaces in the lower level of MainCentre parking deck.

- Strict enforcement of parking requirements through employer pressure and vigilant policing.

- Increasing fines for repeat offenders.

- Parking problem is acute for the north end of downtown.

- Reconfiguration of the size and mass of a Wing Street deck and reconfiguration of the Marquis lot.

- Suggestion to investigate financial possibility of two one-level decks in downtown.

Update on Proposed Long Building – Jim Long presented drawings of the newly redesigned project that is planned to be built on the corner of Wing and Main Street. These drawings are to be presented at the upcoming Historic District Commission meeting.

Next Meeting: There is a scheduling conflict with some DDA members and City Staff regarding the next scheduled DDA meeting of February 10^th.

Motion Shaffner, seconded by DeHaan to change the February DDA meeting from February 10^th to February 17^th at 8:00 a.m. in Council Chambers. Motion carried unanimously.

Meeting adjourned 9:45 a.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Carol T. Kasprowicz
Recording Secretary