10/08/1973 Meeting - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

Council Chamber Eugene, Oregon October 8, 1973 .' The regular meeting of the Common Council of the city of Eugene, ,Oregon was called to order by His Honor Mayor Lester E. Anderson at 7:30 p.m. on October 8, 1973 in the Council Chamber with the following councilmen present: Mrs. Beal, Messrs. Williams, McDonald, Hershner, Mrs. Campbell, and Messrs. Keller, Murray,and Wood. I - Public Hearings A. Vacation of utility easement between City View and McKinley south of 20th (Powell) Recommended by the Planning Commission on July 24, 1973. Public hearing was held with no testimony presented. Council Bill No. 385 - Vacating utility easement between City View Street and McKinley Street south of 20th Avenue was submitted and read by council bill number and title only, there being no councilman present requesting that it be read in full. Mrs. Beal moved seconded by Mr. Williams that the council bi~l be read the second time by council bill number only, with unanimous consent of the Council, and that enactment be considered at this time. Motion carried unanimously and the bill was read the second time by council bill number only. . Mrs. Beal moved seconded by Mr. Williams that the council bill be approved and given final passage. Rollcall vote. All councilmen present voting aye, the bill was de- clared passed and numbered 16921. B. Code Amendments l. Adding Sections 5.232 and 5.233 re: Downtown Free Parking Program Downtown Free Parking Program - Counc~l members were furnished with copies of ordinance setting forth regulations which would provide a free parking program for the benefit of shoppers rather than employes and employers in the downtown area. Ai Williams, traffic engineer, reviewed changes to be made in the ordinance prior to enactment at the October 8 Council meeting. section 5.323 would provide forI boundaries beyond the District to prevent parking across the street from a boundary of the District. Section 5.233, which requires employers to supply the City with a list of employes' automobile license numbers, will be changed to provide for a supplemental list as needed such as when temporary employes are hired during the Christmas season. He added that a penalty clause has not been included because the ordinance will come under a section of the Code in which there is already a maximum $50 fine, thereby giving administrative staff authority to establish a fine up to that amount. It is anticipated a $20.00 fee for violation will be es- . tablished. Traffic Engineer reminded the Council that the proposed program is for unlimited free parking for customers of businesses within the District. This ordinance basically is to keep cars now parked on a monthly basis in the spaces they are now occupying rather than moving into spaces used by people doing business in the central district. He said it is not anticipated a smooth free parking pro- \ I gram will be in effect immediately on the first day of operation, now scheduled for October 15. Problems are anticipated as with any new program but staff feels they can be worked out. Councilman Hershner questioned whether the regulations would deprive employes in the downtown area of the right to park in the downtown area at any time. Traffic Engineer said that before any prosecution, an investigation would determine whether a car was parked while the owner was working or shopping. Assistant Attorney Swanson added that the language is such that the regulation does not apply to an employe any time when not engaged in employment. Anwering other questions from the Council with regard to two cars in one family, use of a car for transportation of an employe with subsequent use for shopping, etc., Mr. Swanson answered that there is no prohibition any time a person is not engaged in employment in the downtown area. Mrs. Beal questioned the prohibition against persons registered as guests in a motel or hotel within one-half mile of '. the District, saying she thought that would discourage out-of-town people who may shop and not be able to have parcels delivered. Mr. Swanson agreed tha t was a valid point and suggested amendment of the applicable section. Councilman Murray asked if there was current information on the number of employes downtown in relation to the number of available parking spaaes for them. He thought it would be unfortunate if the program resulted in making parking lots of nearby re~it!.~~t:~al ~!!as for emp~oyes who could n~t locat_e.!",ont3IYJ?ii~~~!1g_~pace. Tra!.fi..~~ 2.9~ 10/8/73 - 1,