AgdaPkt 2005-08-08 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Council Members asked various questions related to the effective date noted as February 1, 2006; asked how surveys will be conducted; methods of payment; comments were made about working with employers to educate on the process. Public Comment: Pat Taviss, Redwood City resident and member of Downtown Advisory Group, stated her thoughts that the ordinance reflects four important considerations: Flexibility of the plan; the in depth research and analysis of the staff; the responsiveness to the vast amounts of community input; and the changing face of Redwood City. She stated that the flexibility is truly the important piece of the parking plan. Alice Louise, owner of the Arthur Murray Dance Studio on Broadway and elected Vice President of the Downtown Business Group (DBG), spoke on behalf of herself and the Executive Board of the Group. The DBG supports the City's efforts to revitalize the downtown and is looking forward to the completion of the retail/cinema project and the Courthouse Square. She stated that it is their intent to build a strong partnership with the City and become actively involved as a Group to make the downtown the vibrant, vital place they want it to be. She stated that the ordinance is critical and will ensure convenient, efficient and orderly use of the downtown parking. She further stated the Group's satisfaction with Section 20.121 that actually separates the revenues generated within the meter zone of the General Fund. She encouraged Council to pass the ordinance and include the DBG in the budget planning process or the advisory group as it is a critical part of maintaining the infrastructure with the parking program. Bob Bryant, owner of Bob's Courthouse Restaurant and elected President of the DBG, strongly urged Council to pass the ordinance. He stated it will be positive and voiced some concerns related to the DBG. As a volunteer organization, it is unable to maintain the cleanliness, put on events for all citizens due to financial constraints for cleaning after events. He requested funding from the parking meter revenue to assist in lighting, cleanliness of sidewalks, tree trimming, trash pickup and any other areas to make the downtown a better place. He further stated that access to funds will allow the DBG to succeed and greatly contribute to a better downtown, requesting inclusion in the ordinance as a policy with benefit to all. Douglas Kolozsvari stated he spoke at the forum in April about parking and that Redwood City is breaking ground in the country by allowing the market to determine the parking rate. He further stated that the City is not breaking ground by charging a rate that encourages an 85% occupancy rate because certainly many other cities experience this by accident. Redwood City is actually breaking ground by recognizing that parking is a resource affected by demand and that the city is enabling itself to better control that resource. He stated that the experience in Old Pasadena was very positive for both the businesses and residents because they knew the revenue was going toward such items as JOINT MEETING MINUTES CITY COUNCIL AND REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY JULY 25, 2005 PAGE 8 ,... -