06/24/1991 Meeting - Laserfiche WebLink

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e she felt that Sunday should remain free. Mr. MacDonald said that the same system should then be used for the other downtown parking lots, with $.50 per hour and Sunday and holidays free. Mr. Schwartz said this would not work. Ms. Prichard raised the issue of public perception and marketing and said she felt that the validation system would need to be presented in a way that the public would support it, with a marketing plan, advertising, and workshops. She explained that the idea of free Saturday parking was included for pos- itive publiC relations. Mr. Green said he favored validation, Saturday revenue, flat rates, and free Sunday parking. Mr. Boles said he supported Monday through Saturday pay parking at $.75 per hour everywhere, although he felt that this could not be implemented all at once. He suggested charging $.75 per hour with Saturday and Sunday free for a year and then changing it later. Mr. Nicholson said he supported Mr. Green and Mr. Rutan. Ms. Morrow said she felt that it was important to have commitment from the retailers. Planning and Development staff member Russ Brink said the ODD currently has a $175,000 service contract, but that it would like to raise a total of $225,000 to expand services geographically and qualitatively. In response to a question from Mr. MacDonald, Mr. Brink said the ODD has letters of commit- e ment from 60 percent of the retailers involved, although he acknowledged that the letters of intent need to be translated into contracts. He explained that, in general, professional offices do not need ODD services and don't care about free parking, but they might like validated parking. Ms. Ehrman felt that the City should not have to pay for this expansion. She also disagreed with the idea of beginning conservatively, stating that she would prefer to charge for Saturday parking now and be able to make it free in the future. Mr. Miller summarized his understanding that the council generally supported a flat rate of $.75 and the current $.50 per hour on Monday through Saturday for metered parking. He also suggested having a public hearing and using some parking reserve money to help start the program. Mr. Rutan concurred. He added that there should also be a suggested time line in the discussion at the public hearing and that the winter holiday season was a good time to phase in the program. Planning and Development Director, Abe Farkas, said there would be funds available if the transition takes place at the end of October or later. Mr. Brink noted that Downtown Eugene, Incorporated supported implementing the new parking program after the holiday season. Mr. Miller noted that there would be no funds after January and that the program could be implemented with creative marketing. e MINUTES--Eugene City Council June 24, 1991 Page 4 ",-:~:' ---.. ..-..:.... ~--..-