Minutes of Meeting

Committee Members present: Justin Welch, Berlin Nelson, Ann Burnett, Vern Markey, Derald Bates, John Elder, Darryl Booker, Mike Tracy, Gary Goreham

Committee Members absent: Will Bleier, Bryan Schmidt Ex-Officio Members present: Bruce Frantz, Paul Gleye, Gene Glumhardt (for Kristi Wold-McCormick), Tim Lee, Don Hanson

Others present: Gina Haugen, Gary Naurm

Dick Rayl, chairperson, called the meeting to order. VP Rayl asked if there were any additions or corrections to the minutes of the March 27 and the special July 31, 2002 meetings. There being none, Darryl Booker moved and Berlin Nelson seconded the motion to accept the minutes of the March 27, 2002 meeting and Berlin Nelson moved with Vern Markey seconding the motion to accept the minutes from the July 31, 2002 special meeting. Motion carried.

VP Rayl then asked all committee members present to introduce themselves for the benefit of the new members at the meeting.

Space Subcommittee Report (Dick Rayl)
In the absence of Will Bleier, chair, VP Rayl gave a summary on the request by Upper Great Plains Transportation Institute (UGPTI) for space in the IACC building. UGPTI is requesting that IACC 402 be assigned to them and be converted from a lunch/break room to individual research staff and doctoral student offices. The Institute has experienced significant growth in the past few years, and this area is needed to accommodate doctoral students in the newly created transportation and logistics program.

An UGPTI staff member monitored the use of the area for six weeks during the summer months. Usage during the time periods chosen was low. Discussion followed concerning these findings. Don Hanson stated that this room was being used by temporary staff hired to collect data for Ag. Statistics and that their work hours often extended after 5 p.m. It was also noted that the sampling occurred during the summer months when room usage would typically be low. Due to the fact that the subcommittee did not have time to meet concerning the request prior to the full committee meeting, the matter was tabled. The subcommittee will meet at a later date, and a recommendation will be forthcoming at that time.

Campus Parking Fees (Tim Lee, Dick Rayl)
The issue of increasing the present campus parking permit fees was initially addressed at the March 28, 2002 full committee meeting. It was decided at that time that a plan should be developed for discussion at the October meeting. Tim Lee began the discussion by reviewing the proposed parking lot projects for 2003-2008 developed by Kilian Ottman, Physical Plant Maintenance and Project Coordinator. This proposal designated the lots needing repair, the year the work is planned, the number of stalls involved and the cost per stall, based on figures from bids received in summer 2002 ($1,500 per stall). The total project cost estimated for all work over the five-year period was $3.53 million, not including inflation. Chief Lee indicated that FA Lot would need to be finished next summer (2003) to accommodate the completion of the new Living Learning Center residence hall. The underground work, curbing, graveling and some lighting have been accomplished to date, but the lot is still in need of extra lighting and storm sewer adjustments along with asphalting.

Chief Lee then reviewed information concerning parking permit revenue projections with the permit amounts ranging from $80-$90-$100-$110 and information increasing the parking tolls charged in the meter and visitor's pay lots. He proposed raising the Visitor Pay Lot rate from $1.25 to $1.50 for the first hour and from $0.50 to either $0.75 or $1.00 per hour thereafter. The daily rate for the lot would increase from $4 per day to $5. The Meter Lot hourly rate would increase from $0.01 to $0.02 per minute. Discussion ensued, with several points/questions being raised:

• Is the revenue generated from parking fees used for general maintenance on the lots? If yes, for what? The revenue is used to asphalt, paint or backfill the lots but not for snow removal or sweeping. It is also used to build/develop new lots.
• Revenue from the City of Fargo generated by campus parking tickets averages approximately $60,000 per year (NDSU's percentage) and is used for items such as salaries for ticketers, parking lot attendants, supplies, etc. NDSU is negotiating with the City of Fargo to obtain a portion of the revenue from the moving violations written by campus police.
• Campuses no longer receive appropriated general funds for parking lots. With less money coming from the State, all NDUS campuses must use local funds for parking lots.
• Permit fees have increased over the past four or five years from $15-$35-$60. The national average is $110 per permit.
• If permit fees increase, will the number of permit sales decrease, as employees and students choose to park off campus and walk?
• Lengthening the time utilized for payroll deduction from the current four months to six months or longer may help, as long as the money is received by the summer months when parking lot work takes place.
• Employee salaries are not keeping pace with the increase in permit fees so increased permit prices will ultimately decrease take home pay.

VP Rayl suggested that the committee review the fee increase on a yearly basis. The campus will be informed of the process with open public forums (facilitated by Tim Lee) to present information and answer any questions that may arise. The findings obtained during these forums will be presented at the March Campus Space and Facilities Committee meeting. A motion was made by Berlin Nelson and seconded by Vern Markey to approve the campus informational forums. Motion carried.

Service Center Traffic Safety (Tim Lee)
Tim Lee updated members on the meeting held between Ag personnel, Bruce Frantz and himself concerning the traffic area around the Ag Service Center. Ag personnel strongly disagreed with the suggestion of placing a barrier (gate) on 17th Street or the B parking lot because of the difficulty it would raise with the movement of large farm machinery in and out of the area. It was felt by those at the meeting that the best economical solution would be a raised median (table) that would slow vehicles but would not interfere with the large machinery.

Discussion followed by the committee members. Several points were made:

• The problem is not necessarily the speed through the area - the curve near the Service Center helps control that. The number of vehicles driving through the area is a greater problem.
• A raised median won't help reduce the number of vehicles; it may only add costs and problems with machinery and snow removal in winter - it's not the solution for a safe environment for pedestrians.
• Stops signs placed at the curve/median along with enforcement of the area may help the pedestrian safety issue there.
• The opening of the Living Learning Center residence hall will add a whole new dynamic to the area. Putting in expensive temporary solutions now may not be feasible in the long run.
• Stop signs placed near each other to 'channel' pedestrian traffic across the street in that area could be a temporary solution.

• YWCA - Building is being renovated by owner to be leased as additional campus space.
• Equine Facility - Should be ready for use by the next academic year.
• Downtown Campus - Due to be bid the first part of December with occupancy scheduled for fall 2004. A complicated project/building because of the air handler issue.

Berlin Nelson informed the members that due to the issues that arose concerning the location of the future College of Business building, a study is being recommended for agriculture's land west of 18th Street. The College of Ag is taking a hard look at the area and will be making recommendations to the Campus Space and Facilities Committee in the future concerning these issues.

VP Rayl stated that he liked the philosophy of campus planning that was discussed in prior CSFC meetings (infill campus space, etc.) Nothing has been arranged yet concerning the process, but plans are to tie the ideas into the next major revision of the Campus Master Plan.

With no further business, a motion was made to adjourn the meeting. Meeting adjourned at 4:30 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Gina Haugen, Assistant to the Vice President for Business and Finance

Prospective students may schedule a visit by calling 1-800-488-NDSU.

   

      

         
Gina Haugen

         
         Email:  gina.a.haugen@ndsu.nodak.edu

         
         Phone: (701) 231-6177

         
         Fax: (701) 231-6194

         
         Published by NDSU VP for Business and Finance Office.