AgdaPkt 2014-06-09 Closed and Joint SA

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7.1.B. - Page 10 Mr. Bill Ekern, Community Development Director, provided a slide show to recommend the hourly rate in core areas (Main, Marshall, and Winslow) be increased to $1/hour and modify parking permit program (presentation on file). He also mentioned the need to improve the on-street parking and off-street service to improve the retail and businesses in the downtown area. Mr. Ekern summarized the parking issues that the Parking Advisory Committee brought forth. He mentioned what's been in progress so far like finding additional parking, promoting available parking, and upgrading meter technology. Mr. Ekern brought up for discussion the possibility of restricting parking spaces for special use. A Council Member thanked Mr. Ekern for the report and she supports the recommendations like exploring the City of Walnut Creek's parking usage of private- public spaces. She also mentioned that we should look at enforcement hours and to have criteria so that when they talk with community members, the members would understand that parking is not just to make money but to manage resources. So, the Council Member would like to know when the timing will be to have the criteria ready for the community. This same Council Member appreciated the recommendations of the parking permits. But, she thinks it would be helpful to get some information from the permit owners like survey the permit owners on whom they work for and why they drive to need a parking space. Then that information would be used as a baseline and/or gives the City a better understanding of the need for parking. Furthermore, she envisioned that if they knew who the permit owners worked for, then maybe their employers might want to help with the parking issue and possibly give incentives to their employees. This same Council Member would also like to monitor the garages after they implement the decreasing of parking permits, so that they can see the long term effects. Furthermore, she agreed to move forward on building a parking garage and she wanted to know if the City looked at the railroad lot at Perry Street. Mr. Ekern responded that SamTrans had been reluctant to move forward as they look at high speed rail. She also enquired about parking for bikes and that might be an incentive to decrease parking. Again, the Council Member also asked if there is a parking need at the upper Broadway area. Mr. Ekern said that is an area with least opportunity for potential growth and the greater opportunity is on El Camino. Another Council Member thanked Mr. Ekern for the report, and she questioned if the new technology would be replacing the existing one. He confirmed such statement. This same Council Member wanted to ensure that when the rates increase, so too will the service level increase. Additionally, she mentioned that the City should look at areas to put bike racks. Mr. Ekern said that as long as it is feasible to do so, he is willing to receive input from the community. City Manager Dr. Bell added that a challenge they have according to their 10-year parking agreement is the required parking spots. He said that if there is an opportunity to renegotiate then they would discuss the turning of the parking spaces into bike rack spaces for the benefit of downtown. One other Council Member asked about Walnut Creek Parking Program for managing private parking lots. She would like to learn how that city started the dialogue and how JOINT CITY COUNCIUSUCCESSOR AGENCY BOARD April 28, 2014 MEETING MINUTES PAGE 10