HomeMy Public PortalAbout2021-05-24 work session1
CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION, MAY 24, 2021
CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Carrie Tergin called the May 24, 2021 City Council Work Session to order at
5:31 P.M.
ROLL CALL
The f ollowing Councilmembers were present for roll-call:
Present: Fitzwater, Lester, Schreiber, Spencer, Spicer, and Ward
Absent: Hensley, Kemna, Vogt, Wiseman
ADOPTION OF THE AGENDA
A motion was made by Councilmember Ward and seconded by Councilmember Lester
to adopt the agenda. The motion passed unanimously.
Councilmember Wiseman arrived at the meeting at 5:33 P.M.
UPDATE ON AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN ACT FUNDING
City Administrator Steve Crowell presented an update on the American Rescue Plan
Act Funding.
The City has received the first of two funding allocations. The first amount,
$3,793,290.50 has been received. The second allocation will be received sometime
within a year of the first allocation. Staff continues to attend training webinars that
provide guidance on how the funds can be spent. The U.S. Treasurer’s office has put
out an interim final rule, but is continuing to take comments and will revise guidance.
PARKING GARAGE UPDATE
This work session was scheduled to discuss prior parking studies and bill 2021 -003
related to a possible new parking garage in downtown Jefferson City. The City Counc il
did not intend to take any action on the bill at this work session.
Matt Morasch, Director of Public Works gave a presentation on prior parking studies
and an update on a potential new parking garage in downtown. During and after the
presentation, Mr. Morasch and Britt Smith, Director of Public Works Operations
answered City Councilmembers’ questions.
Councilmember Wiseman asked about the condition of the Jefferson Street garage
and if there are height restrictions.
Mr. Morasch indicated maintenance has continued on the two-story garage. There isn’t
necessarily a maximum height requirement, but the footprint for that garage is too small
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to allow for adding a driving lane, and parking; therefore, it’s not cost effective to add
more levels.
Councilmember Spencer expressed his concern with the potential of damaging
historic buildings nearby when demolishing the warehouse on the proposed site. Mr.
Morasch referenced the most recent, careful demolition of 200 E. High Street. He felt
confident that it could be done. Councilmember Spencer stated that he’s also
concerned of potential damage during the new construction, not just the demolition.
Councilmember Spencer mentioned that he had walked through the Madison Street
garage earlier in the day, and he was very worried about the condition of that garage.
Mr. Morasch briefly addressed the maintenance that has occurred and would need to be
done to maintain the garage. He said the work is very intrusive and it’s hard to conduct
maintenance and maintain parking availability in the garage. His hope is to have the
new garage available to shift customers to that garage while major maintenance can be
done on the Madison Street garage.
Councilmember Wiseman asked what the estimated cost is to tear down the
warehouse on the proposed garage site. Mr. Morasch said the department has a
planning level number of $100,000 based on experience with 200 E. High Street.
Councilmember Spencer noticed there were two proposed sites that were “neck-and-
neck in the 2019 parking study. Is it possible to construct the garage at the other site
(Site B)? Mr. Morasch said the City had pursued Site B many times over the years;
however, the bank was not interested in selling their property to the City for a new
garage.
Councilmember Spicer asked how long ago an appraisal was done on the proposed
property. Mr. Morasch said the most recent property appraisals were conducted in
2019.
Councilmember Ward asked if there were any known developers or individuals
whom have been interested in property on High Street, to restore or renovate, but
decided not to do that because of parking issues. Mr. Morasch said parking is
always a consideration for development. He noted that Wymore Place apartments has
submitted a letter of support for a new parking garage. Although Wymore Place did
restore the apartments, they did question where their tenants could park. The City
Council at the time passed a code allowing more parking in front of the building. That’s
one example.
Mayor Tergin listed a few other instances. Haute Salon moved from their downtown
location because there was no longer term parking available for clients visiting longer
than 2-hour parking. There have been a few developers looking at the JC Penney
building for possible office space, but they couldn’t find a place where the workers
would park. Mr. Morasch indicated that there are residential developers that have
expressed a need for more downtown parking to attract potential buyers/residents. The
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Convention and Visitors Bureau moved their location due to lack of parking. When
developers were wanting to renovate the Governor’s Hotel Office building, it was
contingent upon the City providing parking in the Madison Street garage.
Councilmember Fitzwater asked if there are any businesses that provide parking
vouchers. Mr. Smith said Madison’s restaurant and a few law firms do offer vouchers
ranging from 1 hour to the amount of time needed. It’s a customer decision on the
amount of time on their part.
Councilmember Fitzwater also felt that this would be a good time to begin discussion
on the meter rates as a part of this process, and reevaluate our entire parking
structure. He asked if the numbers of the study propose 100% occupancy and how
many of the spaces are occupied in the City’s current garage. Mr. Morasch did
agree with reviewing the parking structure. Mr. Smith stated that of approximately 540
spaces, the City would take 400 leased customers and the rest hourly. These are
rounded numbers. The City is currently operating in approximately the 350-360 range.
Mr. Morasch said that per Councilmember Fitzwater, the Chair of the Public Works &
Planning Committee, Public Works would go over the current parking code in the next
committee meeting.
Councilmember Wiseman asked if funds from the American Rescue Plan could be
used to enhance parking, i.e. touchless parking in the City. Mr. Morasch said rates
would need to be raised to cover the cost of the touchless provider service.
PUBLIC COMMENT
Robert Kraus, owner of the property with the warehouse for proposed garage site,
spoke in favor of the garage.
Jack Deeken, 236 S. Bluff Street, spoke in favor of the garage if the state was also
going to be a customer and could be self-funded. He said originally, he was against it if
it is to strictly support uptown retail and restaurants. Mr. Deeken proposed the idea of
diagonal parking on Jefferson Street.
Angela Nale, Downtown Association secretary, planning committee for Thursday Night
Live and Salute to America, as well as an employee of a downtown busin ess. She
spoke in favor of the garage to support local events and festivals, as well downtown
businesses. The Downtown Association has provided a letter of support.
Mayor Tergin noted that after listening to public comment it’s a good representation of
the mixed-use potential of this parking garage.
CONTINUED COUNCIL DISCUSSION
Councilmember Fitzwater asked Mr. Morasch to clarify, based on Mr. Deeken’s
comments, that the decision for a parking garage is based on what our City needs,
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not what the state needs. Mr. Morasch agreed. The primary focus is for the City, but it
should be noted that if the state would like to lease spaces in the garage, the City would
be open to an agreement.
Councilmember Spencer said there’s just a place holder/estimate for the Madison
Street garage repair. He asked if there is a way to get a better number for that cost.
Mr. Morasch said there would have to be a study before those numbers could be more
definitive.
Councilmember Wiseman asked if we could do the project without the warehouse
property, and if not, why? Mr. Morasch replied that it could not be done without that
property due to cost/space efficiency.
Councilmember Spencer asked if adding floors to the Madison Street garage was an
option. Mr. Morasch and Mr. Smith said information has shown that due to the age of
the structure it would probably require a demolition and rebuild at this point. It’s not
impossible but would be very expensive.
Councilmember Wiseman asked City Attorney Ryan Moehlman what condemnation
would look like for the warehouse property. Mr. Moehlman said it would be a 6
month to 1-year long process, possibly longer if decisions are appealed.
In conclusion, Mayor Tergin said the discussion would continue at the next City Council.
If the public has any questions, please reach out to your councilmembers. If City
Councilmembers have questions, please reach out to Staff so questions can be
answered at the next City Council meeting.
ADJOURNMENT
With no further discussion, a motion to adjourn was made by Councilmember Wiseman,
seconded by Councilmember Lester, and approved unanimously at 7:03 P.M.