5.3. SR 11-05-2007 - Laserfiche WebLink

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REQUEST FOR ACTION To Item Number Ci Council 5.3. Agenda Section Meeting Date Prepared by Administration November 5, 2007 Ter Maurer, Public Works Director Item Description Reviewed by Methodology for Continuing Downtown Parking Analysis and Lori ohnson, Ci Administrator Discussion of Upgrading the Parking Lot on North Side of Reviewed by TH 10 Action Requested The City Council is requested to discuss the proposed parking study methodology and give staff direction as to how to proceed with quarterly analysis of the parking need in the downtown area. Also, the City Council is asked to approve the attached resolution, entering into a Limited Use Permit with MnDOT for the use of TH 10 right of way for the purposes of parking along the north side of the highway. In addition, the Council is requested to give direction as to how staff should proceed with the potential upgrade of the parking area on the north side of TH 10. Background/Discussion We have reviewed the methodology utilized in the Carl Walker downtown parking study and have done a search on the Internet for other methods of parking analysis. It appears from our research that the methodology utilized in the Carl Walker report is appropriate for analyzing the parking in the downtown study. As a reminder what the Carl Walker study utilized was occupancy counts on an hourly basis and a turnover/duration study by use of a license plate survey. What we are proposing to do differently is to utilize these methods over athree-day period of Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday to avoid Monday, which is typically the slowest day of the week, and Friday, which is the start of weekend traffic. Also, we would recommend that these parking analyses be done for the first year on a quarterly basis, starting in December to measure the holiday parking demand between Thanksgiving and Christmas, and then proceeding on a three-month basis in March, June, and September. We would propose to do the counts on the second full week of each of these months. We have done a cost estimate for reconstructing the deteriorated bituminous surface in the parking area north of Highway 10. The concrete curb and gutter in this parking area is in relatively good shape and can be salvaged. The bituminous surfacing is very deteriorated and will need to be removed and reconstructed. With the reconstruction of this, we are also proposing to close the driveway to the parking area closest to Jackson Avenue. We believe that this driveway location is too close to the intersection and has potential for safety concerns. We have estimated that the cost of reconstructing this area would be approximately $80,000.00. Lighting of the parking lot would be provided by the Elk River Municipal Utilities, who have agreed to reinstall the lights salvaged from the Deerfield 3rd project in this parking lot. As the Council maybe aware, the City owns a strip of land approximately 24 feet wide through this parking area. The remainder of the parking is actually occurring on MnDOT right of way. When we contacted MnDOT regarding the requirements they would have for the reconstruction of this parking area, it was discovered that the city currently does not have a Limited Use Permit with MnDOT for the