AgdaPkt 2006-05-22 - Laserfiche WebLink

Browse Search

78 Page 1 May 22, 2006 Subject Funding of the Downtown Law Enforcement/Parking Management Plan Recommendation City Council approves funding the plan through the use of funds derived from the parking fund. Background On March 27, 2006 City Council approved the hiring of three police officers, three part time parking enforcement officers, overtime funds, as well as $20,000 in video surveillance equipment to provide enhanced police services to support the revitalization of downtown. The funding origin for the total annual staffing cost of $569,420 as well as the expense of the surveillance equipment was not determined at that meeting. It is recommended the monies be obtained from the parking enterprise fund. One of the City's objectives is to provide a safe environment for visitors to the revitalized downtown. Visitors should feel safe when parking their vehicles and confident that the vehicles and personal property will be secure while in the downtown area. The Council acknowledged and supported this objective when it approved ordinance no. 2287 that amended Chapter 20 (Motor Vehicles and Traffic) to the municipal code in August 2005, which among other matters provided in Section 20.121 that downtown meter zone revenues could be used for "all expenses for the control of traffic (including pedestrian and vehicle safety, comfort, and convenience) which may be affected by the parking of vehicles in the downtown meter zone.," It is important to remember that the downtown parking plan is based on the concept of "Park Once and Walk." In order for people to feel safe walking in the area it's important to have officers visible throughout the downtown area and that these officers deter crimes such as vehicle theft and vandalism, gang activity and other disruptive criminal behavior. With the adoption of the foregoing amendment to the municipal code the Council also expressed a goal of "achieving a 15% vacancy rate on each block." A critical element of achieving this goal will be the enforcement of parking regulations by the police department. Alternatives If the Council elects not to charge these additional costs to the parking enterprise fund, these expenditures, or a portion of them, may be charged to the City's general fund. Thus far, no provision has been made to employ monies from the general fund to support the law enforcement/parking management plan. .< '*._~ ., ~.m'M."".,_'" '_'~"__''''''''''' ~,~.... _,_.__.~...,.. ...,,'...."".""._~_...,~_. ,__,_",_~",,,',,,~,_'_'__""" .,.,._--~-_._.._~'-~"-'~" ...,.,.----~..'.<.-