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Don Saye, 2021 Broadway, said that in his experience, there was a greater customer turnover because of the parking meters, and he spoke in favor of keeping the meters and the funds they generate. MEMO 1/27/98 Lynette Dowling, 751 Canyon Road, described Pasadena and how meters have not hurt that city's thriving downtown. MEMO 1/27/98 Mario Martins, Paradise Island on Broadway, said he believed there was a need for further study that took into account the perceptions and feelings of the people in the downtown. MEMO 1/27/98 Council Member Claire said, "We should put together an ad hoc committee, calling it the parking meter ad hoc committee, and I will be happy to serve on it. I would really like to get this going and solved within a month or a month and a half. I think one meeting or two meetings sitting down with the Downtown Business Group, our staff and anyone else who would like to serve on it should do it. We can identify some mix and matches that might make this revenue neutral. . . and still satisfy the problems that the merchants perceive. . . I do know now we do have a serious parking problem. Just trying to park out here tonight was almost impossible." MIS: CLAIREIBUCHAN TO HAVE AN AD HOC COMMITTEE TO STUDY THE PARKING METERS WITH THE DOWNTOWN BUSINESS GROUP AND CITY STAFF, AND ACCOMPLISH THIS WITHIN A MONTH TO TWO MONTHS. Council Member Hartnett said it was important to build on the positive conclusions and recommendations of the study and work with the downtown. He cited four items of particular importance that should be studied: (1) A parking management plan, (2) Meter times, (3) Meter costs and costs of tickets; and (4) Signage for the meters, particularly in the parking garage. He further stated the loss of $169,000 to $190,000 is not an insignificant concern, particularly since the City will be spending approximately $2 million more per year on Police and Fire services. He also said that the City is getting more revenue because the economy is good right now, but the City has to be careful with committing to recurring costs because economic downswings do occur. Vice Mayor Ruskin asked that any study consider what degree the absence of meters might "jumpstart" the downtown. He agreed with Council Member Ira's statements and Council Member Hartnett's comments about increased staffing in the Fire and Police Departments. He suggested looking for creative ways to resolve this issue. REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING MINUTE BOOK NO. 56 JANUARY 26, 1998 MINUTES Page No. 184 PAGE 12