CC Min 1998-01-26 - Laserfiche WebLink

Browse Search

. . I . . u addressed if you were to do away with funding of that because the repayment of that fund borrowing is dependent upon meter revenue right now. If you take that revenue away, it is - incumbent upon the Council to find an alternative source or somehow dispose of that prior encumbrance." In response to Council questions, Chief Bolanos said that removal of the parking meters would create a budget problem and would require an additional 1,000 casual hours for enforcement if on-street parking meters were removed and 2,000 hours if all the meters were removed. Council Member Ira commented that he did not feel there was a correlation between parking meters and shopping downtown, and juxtaposed the purchase of a $20 monthly parking permit with the $20 parking fee at a 4ger game. In answer to Council questions, City Manager Everett said that if the Council wanted to consider changes in the parking meters, it would be good to have a utilization-occupancy study done, which would give base data for measurement. He also suggested that Council might want to delay a decision due to the budget considerations, since there would be a substantial cost involved, and staff could look at other options between now and the budget sessions. He also stated that additional time would be helpful for staff and the Downtown Business Group to explore other options. Council Member Claire endorsed this recommendation. - Mayor Howard called upon members of the audience. John Anagnostou, President of the Downtown Business Group, suggested that the meters be changed ITom 36 minutes, one hour and ten hours, to 10 hours,S hours, and 2 hours of free parking, which would encourage turnovers. He recommended that meters on the side streets off Broadway be removed. Mr. Anagnostou said that although the DBG would support Scenario B, they really believed Scenario C, removing all meters, was a better solution. He said the cost to the City would be $160,000, but they felt it was a small price to pay for a vibrant downtown which would benefit the City in the long run. Mr. Anagnostou suggested that even if the Council did not want to remove the meters, they should consider hooding them temporarily to jumpstart the economic spirit of the downtown. Mr. Anagnostou read part of a letter from Mike Kastrop, an architect and member of the Downtown Business Group who offered several recommendations and stressed the need to remove street meters to "help jumpstart our downtown." The letter included Mr. Kastrop's goal, "To create a neighborhood environment for the downtown area that is vibrant and profitable for everyone." MEMO 1/27/98 - REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING MINUTE BOOK NO. 56 JANUARY 26, 1998 MINUTES Page No. 183 PAGE 11