00:00:06,500	Morning everyone. It’s nine o’clock on Thursday may 9th 2024, and this is the regular monthly meeting of the Bismarck parking Authority. Um I’m your chair, jim Christensen. I see, we have two other authority members and Comm. Connolly present. So. We have a quorum.

00:00:24,170	And so we’ll open the meeting with the consideration of the minutes from the April 11th meeting. He changes corrections comments. If not Is there a motion to approve move to approve. Is there a second all in favor of, say, I. I post. Same sign That motion carries move on to the regular agenda, which starts with the financial statements. Jeremy If you’d like to Walk us through here.

00:00:48,930	Absolutely. Chair and authority board members. Uh, financials through April. April. We are, Um uh, tracking very well and even on the income side, we’re ahead on monthly parking revenue. Um, mostly due to, uh, KLJ to, uh additional extra spots at the third Street ramp. And on expenses.

00:01:11,170	We are, uh, tracking on budget on those line items and, uh, snow, mo cost was the larger Expense in April from March’s invoices for the, uh, hauling out of snow from the, uh, two surface lots. From the second of our two snowstorms of last year of earlier Um, so reserve account balance is, uh, $1,872,194 combined with our checking at 306,176 total is 2,178,003 71.

00:01:46,430	Thank you JEM many questions. Like we’re getting close to a nice down payment on a new ramp. But it’s better to be in the black right? I think we all agree. MM Connolly is a city Comm. like to see us in the black. Hopefully any questions of Jeremy on the financials? Anybody? Anything at all.

00:02:08,870	If, not, uh, we guarantee a motion to approve the or accept the financials. Move to approve and second moved in second in Any further discussion hearing unca roll, please sue. Jake Jim? Yes. That motion carries Item three on the agenda.

00:02:34,500	This could be a record folks, by the way, Item three on the agenda is a mobile app Feedback assessment survey results Who’s going to take that one. You want to Welcome. Thank you. Kate and Donw are both in Birmingham for the main street conference. So, You get to talk to me again today. Um The mobile APP survey did really well, we got lots of responses on it.

00:02:57,470	Um, you guys, I think received the packets with it in there as well. But we had 100 and 24 people respond to the survey and the majority of the people who responded are people who have their parking paid for by an employer. So these are people who are using the ramps every single day.

00:03:14,670	And, so their feedback was really, really helpful. I think Um We asked them specifically if they’re hourly parkers or if they’re monthly parkers, and they’re interested in the app, but they kind of were very similar, so I’ll just talk about them, Um in one Um, So first, we just asked them their interest in a mobile app without bringing in

00:03:33,500	any extra fees. Um And, I would say about two thirds of people were very interested in it. They gave fives and fours to it and we had a handful of people saying maybe they weren’t sure. And then maybe another third give twos and ones for saying not probably something that they would use.

00:03:50,830	Um, it is important to note, though, that when I created the survey, I neglected to add a feature where they could say this didn’t apply to them. So some of the people who put two in ones said, Well. I only use hourly so monthly doesn’t apply to me and and vice versa.

00:04:04,900	So you can take about like 20 people out of the twos and ones for that reason. Um But. The. Other large reason that people said that they didn’t want an APP is just that they don’t like the hassle of technology. They they’re just used to the key card card. They think that’s simpler.

00:04:23,900	Um, they’re worried about technology issues, especially in the ramp that they’re not gonna get service down there, or that they phone will be dead or something like that, so they won’t be able to access the ramp, so a lot of them requested that we keep the key card as a backup, so that like the technology issues don’t matter. Um We.

00:04:45,230	They also requested that, um, the option for automatic withdrawal stays as well so that it’s just simpler for especially like large employers who pay for their employees, parking and things like that. When we asked them. How likely they are to use it if there is a processing fee for hourly, we asked if there would be a $1 processing fee each time you pay.

00:05:04,630	How likely are you are you to use it? And if you are a monthly or $2 processing fee per spot per month, um, and it kind of it flipped. Obviously. People don’t like paying fees. Um, so maybe it was like one third people were still really on board and then two thirds of people said no.

00:05:22,630	I wouldn’t want to use it if I had to pay for Extra fees. We also asked them if there was just an online portal available to pay online without additional fees. How likely are they to use it and a lot of people were were, um into that idea, maybe two thirds again, said Yeah.

00:05:43,030	That’s totally something I would use and one third again said No. So. I’m, Assuming. Those People again are probably just not super into technology prefer to just bring their check in in person or mail it in and just keep it. Keep it easier for them.

00:06:02,300	Um, we did also put in a question about just additional concerns or suggestions they have About the APP. And. We received a lot of questions from employers who pay their employees parking and small businesses who validate their customers parking just wondering how the APP would work for them. They weren’t opposed to an app. They just wanted to know how it worked. So.

00:06:21,900	I think if we do put up an app, I think reaching out to the downtown businesses and offering help on getting started, or even just like an overview of how it works would be, uh, make the transition much smoother.

00:06:39,000	Especially because most people who took the survey have their parking paid for by an employer, so obviously they’re the majority of the people who use it. Um and then we also included a spot for additional, um questions. Just general things about about the ramp and we got a lot of good feedback about that as well. Um, the number one thing people complained about was just parking spacing issues, People said.

00:07:00,900	There’s a lot of new large vehicles in the ramps taking up multiple spots. Um, even parking on the ends of Rose, so it’s hard to get around them. So, some people suggested making the ends of Rose compact. Parking only or creating a new space for oversized large vehicles because obviously the ramps weren’t created when these large vehicles were being driven around.

00:07:21,670	There’s not a lot of room for them. People also were concerned that Covered parkers are paying for covered parking, but the rooftop parkers are taking up their spots, they said.

00:07:42,700	Sometimes, even though they’re paying for covered, they end up parking on the roof because it’s so full and they would like to see better enforcement of rooftop versus covered parking that I don’t know that could be solved with like, um, a parking tag or a sticker in the car or something like that. Um, but in general people also were just hoping there could be more enforcement of the larger issues as well, like double parking or taking up too many spaces. Stuff like that.

00:08:02,230	Just more enforcement was probably the largest thing that people Wanted to see fixed. Um, We also had some a lot of feedback that the ramps are very full, which we know this at this point, but, um even some monthly Parker saying that they’ve gone in a few times, and they haven’t been able to

00:08:19,600	get a get a spot, which is a good problem to have we We have lots of use of the ramps. Um, that was the the biggest thing people had. Um, Besides that there were a couple mentions of security concerns.

00:08:40,100	Um, just request for maybe more daytime presence in their mentions of suspicious cars parked for long periods of time again. I think this could be solved with just having maybe more enforcement of these issues? Um The. Other thing we saw was a lot of comments on seeing new drivers in the ramps who don’t understand how the ramps work, which obviously, you guys also know is an issue. But, So.

00:08:56,830	I think the continuing of the education of how they work. What direction to go how to pay when you can use them stuff like that would be very useful.

00:09:15,030	Um, the only Other thing is we had a request and I don’t know if you guys have thought about this before, but for there to be free to our parking in the ramps. Obviously, I just got done seeing how full the ramps are, but this lady said that it’s it’s done in Fargo, and it really helps people feel comfortable coming downtown because they don’t have to worry about finding a spot on the street.

00:09:28,500	They just know they can go into the ramp. And find a spot just two hour parking, just like on the on the side of the street. Um, Besides that we had some specific maintenance recommendations, but obviously that’s not really relevant to you guys. But. There was a lot of good feedback, too.

00:09:45,830	A lot of people said that they feel safe in the ramps that they’re clean that the staff there is great, easy to work with, and that they enjoy using the ramps. They. Even someone even said Thank you for being on top of snow removal, which is pretty big for North Dakotans. Um, that’s about it.

00:10:01,230	But if you have any more questions, I can go into more detail on things. We have questions. Feedback questions. Um, is it possible to do key card and application at the same time? Or is it? Is it one versus the other. I would assume so, but that would probably be more for Jeremy. Jeremy. Any thoughts on that or As.

00:10:23,770	I understand it that it would be Possible. Well those who like their old key card, right if we were to go that way. OK and maybe maybe some questions for more for towards Jeremy than the downtowner and for doing the survey, which we appreciate, um, the large vehicle issue that that she raised We’re all aware of that,

00:10:47,270	I think are the end spots mostly marked for compact cars already, Uh, correct? Yeah, on the on like the turn lanes and on the wing walls and stuff, but, uh, Areas where it gets tight.

00:11:07,070	There are signs posted as compact only, um, more so in Galleria and, um Arcade, uh, couple areas in the sixth Street Ram, too. Would it be possible to maybe Beef up the signage or make it more prominent or more. More of a warning. Oh. Yeah, Absolutely. Yeah. Yeah, corey and I actually have to We.

00:11:26,700	We have reviewed the survey and the comments on on a couple of those items were, um, where, um, getting some additional signage and then even direct. Uh um I guess. Larger print directional signage for exiting on Sixth Street tramp. Uh, Sixth Street ramp specifically, um and then the, uh, idea. Um, Ironically about the idea of of the stickers on the windows for the rooftop parkers.

00:11:46,500	Um, corey and I were talking about that the week before we actually got the results from the survey. So. It was timely. Um And then, of course, the, um, education part where, um, putting the link to the video on our website and then, um, we can look at other channels as far as uh, Deco media access and Other, PSA, um, places to get get that word out and get that education out

00:12:03,900	there. Is there a way? Going back to the large vehicle issues are way to discourage. This giant, oversized pickups or whatever from taking those compact spaces. I mean I know you can get nasty stickers to put on windshields that are really hard to remove. Which is a warning. And.

00:12:23,930	I mean we’d probably be more gentle to it on the first as far as just a peep, you know, Memo warning on the windshield, And, then if it’s a repeat offender. Thank you tighten the screws, so to speak, and and you’re addressing the rooftop. Issue already. And then how is the new security firm doing? I was? Yeah.

00:12:45,800	They? Uh, they’ve been, um in place for two months now, Um, good feedback, um, doing well already off off the bat. Other questions. Um, jerry, I would just be curious if the if we had this app, Um would that help your management at all? Does that create any efficiencies for for you and your team or not, really, Is it

00:13:09,230	more of a user. I think more on the IE. The efficiencies are more so for the customer user on the back end administratively it it becomes more burdensome as far as being able to track the payments and, um Uh, And do that daily reporting. So, um So.

00:13:32,230	It would be it would be more work on the administrative side for management. So then I. I guess that similar question to the portal idea that the payment portal with that create some efficiencies for for you? Yes that that is a separate item would definitely create a more efficiencies and we’re still looking into that and I’ve had some discussions with the finance Department.

00:13:49,830	Um uh, By way of like what? The? Um, Public Works Water department is using and the payment system. Um there’s other options out there as well. And. Um so we’re we’re still Um, exploring, um what the best options would be so so for monthly users Now, are they just dropping by the office and dropping off a check

00:14:09,200	that they’re just doing manual payments? Uh, via check or credit card? And. Then the, uh um Other question I had was related to the free two hour parking. Um That’s probably something we’ve considered in the past. Do.

00:14:32,500	We have any idea on Could we find out how much revenue we would lose if we had free parking on weekends. Is that something we we track versus weekdays or you know how full the ramps are on on weekends to consider that, Yeah, so like at third Street ramp, uh, is free parking on, Um, evenings and, uh, weekends um and the but that’s the only ramp that we we’ve test.

00:14:52,830	But a surface lots. I guess we have the gates open on weekends as well. Um So. I guess it would be the the the revenue Lost would be more so the probably a majority of the, um Um In the financials. I guess the hourly Uh, validation revenue and the general parking revenue. With that.

00:15:21,870	Potentially create additional headaches or complaints from Monthly parkers or, you know, not being able to find a space that would definitely in my mind. Definitely be foreseeable that it would start to to. Uh um CRE. Yeah.

00:15:41,970	Create a lot of log jam with as far as, uh um, based on our already over, you know, oversell rate and then we’re bringing that many more. Um Hourly Parkers in it could create some issues. Of, not finding spots, especially for a monthly customers. So so circling back to the, uh, the survey the on the app portion of it. Where. Do.

00:15:59,330	You see us going from here, Jeremy, Where would you like to go from here I guess or the authority members. Um, well as as shown in the survey. Um You know a majority of respondents, uh, are open to the idea of having an AMP or having an option.

00:16:24,730	Uh, but then that, um The enthusiasm drops off if there’s additional fees, and, um, you know, with with having the, um Technology would be a third party vendor, and so there would be fees involved and so whether or not You know, uh, taking a cue from the airlines that nobody likes additional fees. We if we would just wrap it into the, uh, ma, uh, the increase the cost and absorb it that way.

00:16:43,400	Uh, that could be an option to go forward, as opposed to tacking on additional fee. However, um, not every user may be using the app and so may not be fair than it just charge a blanket increase across the board. OK? Seems to make sense. So. This is something we just stick under advisement at this point. Maybe dust it off.

00:17:05,170	Down the road a little bit and revisit it. OK, I think I think that’s fair. At. This point it seem like good course to the to you guys too, OK? Right. Other questions or comments on that item? Anybody that was so one of the Kind of prevalent.

00:17:24,930	Comments on the survey was just people worried about finding a space the the ramps being full, all that kind of stuff. So last night I was looking at our capacity utilization report and maybe somebody can help me understand this, but Looking at the peak number of users on a day divided by total spaces and all the ramps. And as I.

00:17:41,570	Look at this, the gallery is pretty full. Um, but as I’m looking at the other ramps, the Ke and the Third Street are lower to mid sixties on a peak day utilization rate and The Sixth Street is on a peak day about 70%. And so it seems to me there’s still quite a few spaces available on a peak day. And, So.

00:18:00,730	I’m not quite understanding. Um Of the concern on Ramps being full, at least from the data that is in our utilization report. Let Jeremy tackle that one. So as I kind of unwrap that my My. Initial thought is that I you when you first go into, you know the first three levels, everything is full.

00:18:24,900	And, then that kind of just triggers the assumption that well, everything’s full right? And, But as you start to go up on the upper levels and then, including the rooftop, there is more available. Um, so that might have just been kind of an observation thing as far as the comments on that.

00:18:39,830	Go on that, um So That is true that you know it. It it the the peak times. I mean, there’s um You know a plus or minus error to that a little bit as far as like, Uh, how the reports are generating based on Um Times and out times and things like that.

00:18:58,500	But, um, for the most part there, uh, pretty accurate. And. So, most of the, uh, available spaces are towards the upper levels, but people like to get in, like right on the main couple levels and not have to walk as far as that. I think that’s kind of where some of that, uh, those comments come from. OK? Yeah. The roof.

00:19:33,630	Good point. Good point and we do discount roof rooftop parking for those that choose to do that, right? What? It was our rate for the rooftops again. Um it it 45 40 40, right, right? Yep. Though. It’s a significant discount, but If people don’t wanna do it. OK other questions.

00:19:57,370	Those are good good questions and comments. Anything further on that. That item. OK, um as Chair of board members. I, just like to, um, you know, publicly thank uh maria in the downtowner again for initiating the, uh, survey and, um, helping us gather that info very much appreciated, And. It was very, um, very good to see the comments.

00:20:20,070	Um, you know, both the the suggestions and the good comments and things that were, um um and taken into consideration and and working through some of the comments to make the our, um Uh more. The Rams more user friendly for our customer base and for the citizens of Bismarck. Agreed. Thank you.

00:20:40,900	Thanks maria and kate and dawn in the downtowner for undertaking that we appreciate it. Other business. Anyone have any other business for the good of the order. Anything for management. Comm. Nothing right, short and sweet. We like that, Um If there’s no objection. We will adjourn until the June 13th meeting.