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VIII. SUSPENSION OF PARKING FEES FOR SPECTATORS OF THE EUGENE CELEBRATION (memo distributed) e Mr. Gleason introduced the agenda item, stating that it was a routine item because it did not involve a tremendous amount of money. He said that the proposed action had been checked through the proper committees and that staff recommended that the council waive the parking fees as specified. Ms. Schue moved, seconded by Ms. Smith, to waive the parking fees for spectators of the Eugene Celebration in the Performing Arts Center garage for Friday evening, September 30; all day Saturday and Sunday, October 1 and 2; and for evening event parking in the Parcade. Councilor Holmer said the Hult Center would be busy with various events and questioned the appropriateness of forgoing the income in view of the inconven- ience that it would create for those people using and supporting the Hult Center. Robert Hibschman, a staff assistant for the Eugene Development Depart- ment, said that statistics showed that only 200 of the 500 parking spaces were normally utilized in the Hult Center garage. He said he felt that space would be available for everyone. He said that it was also hoped that people who had not been using the garage and Parcade would become used to the facilities and would use them in the future. Ms. Wooten said that the suspension of the parking fees was an additional encouragement for people to come downtown. She explained that most of the Eugene Celebration activities would have been com- pleted by the time the Hult Center activities had begun. Mr. Holmer said that the encouragement of the use was probably a worthwhile experiment, but he e stressed that a risk still existed. Councilor Hansen said he shared Mr. Holmer's concerns. He said that forgoing the fees for one particular activity would set a precedent for others to petition for cancellation of parking fees. He said that the revenue should be obtained from the parking structure if at all possible. Ms. Wooten said that parking fees were not charged during the Hult Center open house of the previous year. In response to a question, Mr. Hibschman explained that revenue for event parking was calculated at the rate of $1 per car from an average of 200 cars per event. He said the $30 to $35 loss as quoted in the staff notes was calcu- lated from the normal revenue taken in on a Saturday. He said the calculated total loss of revenue would be approximately $230 to $235. Councilor Smith said she shared Mr. Hansen's concern but she felt that the community should be aware of the everyday procedure and cost of parking. She agreed that the suspension of fees might set a precedent and encourage continuing the practice in the future. Councilor Lindberg said the Eugene Celebration was a once-a-year event and it was appropriate to suspend the fees as part of that celebration. Councilor Wooten said it had not been her intention to create a controversial issue. She said that few people used the parking structures on a day-to-day basis and this would be an opportunity to get people into the facility and e lessen the dependence on the surface lots. MINUTES--Eugene City Council September 28, 1983 Page 9