06/11/1973 Meeting - Laserfiche WebLink

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'. City Manager read petitions from merchants between 6th and 7th on Willamette opposing the proposal as far as their street was concerned. He' also read petition from the attorneys in opposition. Public hearing was closed. City Manager commented on the makeup of the Downtown Development Board, stating its members were chosen in the hopes they could create a satisfactory plan which could be supported by those who would benefit. Although not all business groups in the downtown area were able to be represented on the Board, all had a chance to be heard at the hearings of the Board. . Traffic Engineer,- in commenting on the monitoring of the system, said that there is a great psychological difference between a parking citation and a letter. Only after implementation of the program would it be possible to know best how to proceed with the surveillance system and what method would work out most beneficially for all concerned. He expressed confidence that it would work since 90 per cent of the people parking downtown do so for two hours or less. In explaining the deferral of overpark payments, Traffic Engineer advised that, if property owners' parking assessment payments total more than their payment to the free parking district, they will be excluded. If it is less, they would'then pay the free parking district the difference. The deferred payments would revert to the parking district as principal payments are refunded to owners. Further discussipn indicated that Traffic Engineer did not feel it would increase the number of employees parking in free spaces downtown all day. This concept would be analyzed also and judgments made, however. Councilman Wood questioned how the money made on citations now would compare to the monitoring service proposed in the plan. Manager answered that the receipts from the Municipal Court from citations exceed the cost of enforcement at the present time. The proposed monitoring is a part of the budget of the program to be covered by the proposed income from the ad valorem tax and license. Traffic Engineer itemized the cost as $4,000 a month for manpower, $250 for supplies, ~800 per month for the computer service, $500 per month for repayment of computer programs services. Regarding further discussion on the assessment to the attorneys, Mr. Hendershott said that attorneys like to be located downtown close to the core area and the courthouse. It is not a question of not being able to afford the fee; it is the principal involved, as the attorneys do not stand to increase their business from the free parking. e: Mr. Rubenstein explained the $160 per professional was arrived at from the following formula: 1 1/2 parking spaces are required for every 400 square feet of building in the community, and therefore it was felt a similar figure was equitable for downtown. Councilman Keller questioned the letter to time-limit abusers. Traffic Engineer answered that it would be sent to long-time abusers over a period of many days. Only operation of the actual system would prove how best to effectively identify true abusers. Councilman Williams asked if, for a person needing to come downtown almost daily, there would be a way to get parking on a daily basis rather than rent by the month or risk a letter. Traffic Engineer answered that this could be a possibility, that the program ~ould be flexible enough to accommodate any necessary features. Councilwoman Beal wanted a comparison of the income that would be brought in under the proposed program with the income the City would receive were all facilities on a regular meter basis. Traffic Engineer estimated a $54,000 reduction in income with the inception of the new plan, excluding Renewal Agency lots. That was the assumption placed in the operating budget that has been prepared. )' I. Councilwoman Campbell asked for an estimate as to the amount of time and years required to ascertain if the program would work. Manager advised the City could abandon the program at any time on an annual basis, not in the middle of a fiscal year. Traffic Engineer fe~t we should have details on the effectiveness of the program within a Year. Councilwoman Campbell asked if consideration was given to possibly posting signs indicating free parking, then ticketing those who abuse the privilege. Traffic Engineer answered it would not then be totally free parking, that a program was desired which would remove the ticket or token hassle. . \90 6/11/73 - 3