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identify what it wants to accomplish and propose guidelines and policies e before a decision is made. Mr. Miller suggested that a way to test the direction the program is going is needed as well. Ms. Schue reminded the council that a public policy is in place that cannot be backed away from; the City is obligated to provide public parking with or without fees. Mr. Hansen wanted to look at the policy because when developers are found for 8th and Wi11amette and 11th and Willamette, the choice parking spaces will be gone and will need to be replaced. Ms. Wooten agreed with Ms. Schue and said that although there may be management options available, the City cannot back out on its obligation to provide downtown parking. She believed that the public can be educated to park in structures instead of surface lots, and pay to do so. Ms. Ehrman reported that this kind of transition is being studied by a community group which has proposed changing the unlimited free parking available now. Mr. Byrne outlined three areas to which the parking program must be finan- cially committed: l. Support of existing surface lots and structures; 2. Provide reserves for major repairs; and 3. Provide for future development if the policy is to stay in the parking business. e The FY87 budget, with or without the proposed dollar increase, will not fully fund these three areas; and, without the dollar increase, will not maintain the status quo for supporting existing property. Mr. Byrne outlined how the two-hour free proposal followed by a 50~-per-hour fee would improve the financial stability of the program. The tax system would remain the same. Mr. Byrne introduced Ann Bennett, who thanked the council for its interest and effort on behalf of the downtown parking program. She cited the Parking Policy Group, the Downtown Commission, and their Budget Subcommittee as the authors of the recommendations before the council. Ms. Bennett defined the primary goal as business development downtown. She emphasized the Replace- ment Reserve accounts were critical to the objectives of the parking recom- mendations. The Downtown Commission continues to shift as many functions to the private sector as possible. She identified the key political issue as being the shift from a tax-supported parking system to a user fee system which will stabilize and accommodate future development. The ranking policy group was ready to bring the user fee system forward; however, the merchants lobbied against the system. Their recommendation to the Downtown Commission was to pay the extra dollar per thousand and wait two years. The issue could be addressed at the end of the two years or when either the 11th and Willamette or the 8th and Wi11amette surface lots were ready for development. The Downtown Commission is asking the council for approval of the dollar increase. Mr. Luell announced the public hearing on July 28, 1986, and distributed a memorandum dated October 30, 1985, entitled IIDowntown Parking Program e Redesign. II MINUTES--City Council Work Session June 16, 1986 Page 5