07/08/1991 Meeting (2) - Laserfiche WebLink

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e for the district. The subcommittee considered several options for methods of continuing the ODD, including: 1) a gross receipts tax; 2) a square-footage tax; or 3} changing the mix of services downtown. The process involved sub- stantial opportunities for community involvement including several surveys and three public forums. The subcommittee forwarded a recommendation to the Downtown Commission, who reviewed the recommendation, held a public forum, and forwarded options to the council. Mr. Bowers noted that the cost of parking has been a significant issue in the proposal. For the City to cover operating, maintenance, and replacement reserve expenses for a single parking space costs, on average, $28 per month. Mr. Bowers said that the City has compared its costs with private parking operators; the only way to lower total costs would be to cut basic services, such as security and cleanliness. Mr. Bowers walked through the council's preferred proposal. The proposal deals with only the 800 parking spaces currently in the 3-hour free program-- those spaces designed to serve short-term parkers. The proposal is as fol- lows: l. Suspend the ODD tax collection. 2. Downtown management services (mall security, flowers, marketing, etc.) will be provided by DEI. They will be paid for by private service contracts that DEI negotiates with downtown businesses and property owners. 3. Replace the existing three-hour free program with paid parking. e Major lots and structures to be attended. Attended and pay lots at $.75 per hour; meters remain at $.50 per hour. Free parking Sundays and holidays. 4. Establish a validated parking program. Validations to be sold to businesses at a 50-percent discount of the $.75 rate by DEI. The City would provide the 50-percent discount to DEI in return for its effort to provide downtown management services. 5. Implement the program prior to October 31, 1991. Mr. Bowers noted that a major marketing effort would be provided to smooth the transition. Staff recognizes the multiple interests that need to be considered in crafting a parking proposal for downtown and is satisfied with this proposal. Mr. Bowers highlighted the strengths of the proposal: it would retain free parking for downtown customers and clients; make more spac- es available for short-term users; continue and privatize the downtown ser- vices; private service contracts would be more equitable than the tax that was in place; attended parking is believed to be more user-friendly to the parker; the parking system would become more uniform and thus, easier to understand by the parker; and the district would be financially self-suffi- ci ent. Mayor Miller opened the public hearing. e MINUTES--Eugene City Council July 8, 1991 Page 3