10/29/1980 Meeting - Laserfiche WebLink

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. VI1. CONSIDERATION OF PARKING RATE CHANGES IN DOWNTOWN AREA (memo distributed) e Mr. Henry stated that this item comes back to the council after a number of work sessions. They are trying to follow the council's request to equalize charges between City employees and the general public within the Downtown Development District. Substantial changes have been made in the wording. Areas that have been addressed are: 1) clarification of the City Manager's authority to set standards to be used in setting parking fees; 2) the need for an appeal proce- dure for persons aggrieved by the Manager's decisions; 3) flexibility needed to set fees to ensure maximum use of facilities within council policies; 4) clarification of the practice of providing reduced or no fees for carpooling, ridesharing, the physically disabled, city officials, and service vehicles; 5~ allowance for parking permits to be sold on other than a monthly basis; and 6 updating the title of "Meter Maid" to "parking Control Officer." Mr. Henry stated there are good reasons for the changes. They are trying to implement City policy to encourage alternate modes of transportation balancing this with needed revenues for parking structure costs. They have tried to take locations into account. This has been reviewed by the Downtown Development Board and they agree with the recommendations from the October 23 memo. He stated that Duane Bischoff and Jim Hanks, Public Works, were present to answer questions. Mr. Delay asked how many spaces have to be rented in the Performing Arts faci- lity to meet the projections. Mr. Bischoff responded that it would require 85-95 percent occupancy, which is projected for 1983-84. In the first years, this facility will operate at a loss. Mr. Delay asked how they will get parking e patrons into that facility on a regular basis with the Parcade costing less. Mr. Bischoff responded that there is a ceiling on the number of permits that will be issued for the Parcade. It may fluctuate on patron interest. Mr. ,Delay asked if the Parcade is operating in the black. Mr. Bischoff responded that it is, but it was built with tax increment funding. The retail spaces are not carrying the operational costs of that building. Mr. Delay noted that 85-95 percent occupancy sounds optimistic. He has a concern that there is nothing in the rate structure that would make people want to park there. Mr. Martin indicated that Mr. Delayls concerns are well taken. This is why a flexibility range was given to the City Manager who must look at the various lots closely and be able to respond quickly. The flexibility in the ordinance is to deal with these concerns. Mayor Keller asked what happened to the number of permits sold when the fees were raised. Mr. Bischoff indicated that that was difficult to answer because at the time the fees were raised, various alternatives were provided. The number of permits sold were reduced, but the Downtown Development District and the City are now serving 230 people per day on the shuttle service as well as having implemented carpooling and ridesharing programs. They are not sure what will happen with this next increase. Mr. Lieuallen stated that the Parcade will not operate in the black if parking revenues decline. He asked if City employees are one of the sources of revenue for the Parcade and if the shuttle level is having an impact on revenues at that facil ity. Mr. Bischoff responded that they are not certain where the ridership on the shuttle is coming from. He stated that the permits may have dropped off e MINUTES--Eugene City Council October 29, 1980 Page 8