MORGANTOWN PARKING AUTHORITY

Wednesday, October 11, 2006

Regular Meeting

 

The regular meeting of the Morgantown Parking Authority was held at 3:00 P.M., Wednesday, October 11, 2006, in the Conference Room at the Public Safety Building.

 

PRESENT:  Chairman Ernest Fortuna, Vice-Chairman Bill Byrne, George Papandreas, Charlie

        McEwuen and Tom Arnold.

 

ABSENT:  Ron Bane.

 

OTHERS PRESENT:  Councilman Don Spencer

 

            Chairman Ernest Fortuna called the meeting to order at 3:00 P.M.

 

APPROVAL OF MINUTES:

 

Upon a motion by Mr. Papandreas, seconded by Mr. McEwuen and approved by unanimous vote, the minutes of the regular meeting of September 13, 2006 were approved as presented.

 

UNFINISHED BUSINESS:

 

Satellite Parking:

 

            Mr. Arnold recently visited the Borough of State College, Pennsylvania with Terry Cutright, Main Street Director and Chris Fletcher, City Planner.  State College is a small town similar to Morgantown with its tallest building being twelve stories tall.  It has three public parking garages at a rate of .75˘ per hour.  There are 9,000 students and 12,000 permanent residents living in downtown State College with only 1,200 parking spaces available downtown.  He will invite Ms. Cutright and Mr. Fletcher to the next Parking Authority meeting to make a power point presentation on the similarities of Morgantown and State College. 

 

Mr. Papandreas asked if State College has any restrictions on students bringing vehicles on campus.  Mr. Arnold said freshman students are not permitted to bring their vehicle on campus and State College offers satellite parking next to their stadium for a minimal fee.  There are three buses that the students’ ride that is always full.  These buses help alleviate traffic issues.  Mr. Byrne asked how State College monitors residential areas for college students parking there while attending class.   Mr. Arnold said the Borough has a strict policy on rental units and the property owners must register their property as a student rental or face losing their license until the property is in compliance. 

 

Mr. Arnold would like the Parking Authority to develop a parking program in conjunction with City Council, West Virginia University, and downtown property owners.  Prior to developing a satellite parking area the City will need to determine the number of students and their parking needs.  Currently there are no restrictions on freshman students from bringing their vehicles to school.  Mr. Byrnes said it appears that State College provides more parking then West Virginia University and its transit Authority is more advanced in its parking programs then the Mt. Lion.

 

Mr. McEwuen said the Wharf parking garage is not filling up with vehicles on a daily basis and would be a good location for satellite parking.  He suggested providing transportation from the garage to the downtown to entice people to park there.  Mr. Byrne would like to see a regular route from the Wharf Garage to the downtown and the University.  Mr. McEwuen agreed with Mr. Byrne and said a small shuttle vehicle would be needed to transport the parkers from the Wharf garage to the PRT.

 

Inventory Parking Needs in the B4 Zone:

 

            This agenda item was discussed in the first item under unfinished business.  Mr. Arnold will meet with landlords of the downtown to determine the parking needs for their tenants and develop a plan that will accommodate the downtown parking needs.

 

NEW BUSINESS:

 

Trees on Spruce Street:

 

Councilman Don Spencer presented a render drawing of Spruce Street showing the location of existing trees as well as the location for the proposed trees.  The proposed trees will be strategically planted to create a “room” affect.  The First Baptist Church parking lot (Lot O) has a problem with a lack of green space so six trees have been planned for that lot.  This would require six parking spaces to be limited to compact cars only.  The adjacent vacant lot where the Morgantown Market was will have trees temporarily planted until the lot is developed.  Most of the proposed trees however will be planted on private property. 

 

Mr. Spencer’s plan has been presented to the Beautification Committee as well and the Design Review Committee and Main Street Morgantown.  Each Committee was pleased with the plan.  The tree-planting project should cost approximately $50,000 and according to Don Spencer the City Manager has assured him that the money will be available in next years budget. 

 

            Mr. Arnold requested a copy of the plans to present to the Trustees of the First Baptist Church before the Parking Authority can approve any capitol improvements on leased property.  Mr. Byrne questioned how the trees would affect the removal of snow in the lot.  Mr. Spencer didn’t believe the snow removal would be a problem.  Mr. Fortuna asked if there were any plans to remove the Gum tree that is planted at the entrance to Lot B.  Mr. Spencer stated that he was not aware that there was a problem with the tree. 

 

            On another note, Mr. Spencer said he has been working with a seventeen-member bike board and would like to see bike lockers placed in the downtown for bicycle storage.  Mr. McEwuen said he has approximately thirty-bike rack units stored in his garage and would donate them.  Mr. Arnold said once the bike racks have been received they could be installed at any time.

 

Approve Meter Placement for West Side of 300 Block of High Street:

 

            Mr. Arnold has been discussing the possibility of metering the loading zone on the West Side of the 300 block of High Street with City Administration. The meters will be red indicating the area as a truck-loading zone and designated for delivery vehicles from 6 AM to 4 PM.  After 4 PM the meters will be available for hourly parking.  Mr. Arnold would like to see the loading-zone time changed to 6 AM to 2 PM. 

The site-plan drawing for this area includes bump outs with planters.   Mr. Papandreas expressed his concerns with the bump outs in front of his building because they will eliminate the possibility of ever having a designated turn lane.  He also believes that the downtown will become more congested and according to the Department of Transportation Study the bump outs will cause traffic and pedestrian problems.

 

            Upon a motion by Mr. Byrne, seconded by Mr. McEwuen, and approved by unanimous vote to install parking meters on the West side of the 300 block of High Street in conjunction with the installation of the bump outs. 

 

Research Replacement for an Opening on the Authority Board:

 

            The Parking Authority was notified that Authority member Ron Bane wishes to step down from the Parking Authority Board.  Mr. Arnold is requesting that the Authority members submit names of possible candidates to fill this vacancy. 

 

OTHER MATTERS:

 

None.

 

ADJOURNMENT:

 

            There being no further business the meeting was adjourned at 4:40 P.M.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

_____________________________              ______________________________

                           DATE                                                  Ernest Fortuna, Chairman

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Prepared by:  _____________________________________

                                      Dianna L. Kovalcheck