Agenda Packet 2-25-19 Meeting - Laserfiche WebLink

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MINUTES – Eugene City Council January 28, 2019 Page 3 Work Session Council Discussion •Councilor Taylor –supported free, on-street parking, expressed concern about the proposedrate increase, noting that the decision to raise rates is often made before input is received;said many people affected by the rate increase are not able to absorb the added expense andhave no option other than to drive to work; said downtown belongs to everyone, not justthe merchants; parking fee should not support general services. •Councilor Clark – acknowledged that parking is not free, but is a service provided by theCity; it is a value that supports a City goal and the cost should not be passed on to those whocome downtown to work and patronize businesses; noted that many people who workdowntown have no choice but to drive to work and use their vehicles for work; the costs ofthe parking program should not be borne disproportionately by them; asked whatmechanism the council can use to suspend or alter the parking program fees. •Councilor Syrett – asked for information about the bulk permit program and whether it isbeing eliminated; said she was mindful of the impacts of the proposed fee increase butdoesn’t feel that an onerous burden is being placed on able-bodied people who can usealternative modes; supported efforts to address the specific situation faced by employees ofSenior and Disable Services. •Councilor Yeh – asked whether any adjustments to the proposed fees were beingconsidered as a result of the comments received; requested clarification about the amountof funds allocated to deferred maintenance and other sponsored programs; noted that whileother communities don’t charge for parking, Eugene has better access to parking spots. •Councilor Zelenka – asked for data or analysis on the impact of parking fees on Eugene’sdowntown businesses, noting that it was the downtown merchants who requested an endto the free parking program; said parking fees are consistent with Climate RecoveryOrdinance goals; requested more information about options for the campus parking districtand the location of permit zones. •Councilor Pryor – said Senior and Disabled Services employees need easy access to theirvehicles; supported working out an exception/accommodation for them; asked about theamount of money transferred from the Parking Fund into the General Fund; supportedlooking at ways to lower or eliminate that transfer as work to shape the community safetyfunding plan continues; asked about the general availability of metered parking spaces forconsumers and employees; more spaces are needed downtown. MOTION AND VOTE: Councilor Clark, seconded by Councilor Semple, moved to extend the meeting by 10 minutes. PASSED 8:0 •Councilor Semple – agreed that there is not enough parking downtown and noopportunities to provide more which points to the need to raise the rates even more andencourage people to consider alternative modes; explore the possibility of free bus service,downtown trolley; expressed concern about the disparity between parking permit rates. •Councilor Evans – asked for information about the cost to develop new, structured parkingspaces, what it costs the City annually to maintain a parking space, whether the new spacesat the Obie development will contribute to the downtown inventory, and the balancebetween the long-term need for additional parking and the City’s CRO goals. •Councilor Clark - noted there is significant council support for looking at ways to alter theprogram to address the reasonable need for some downtown employees to have carsparked nearby; suggested having another work session to discuss the economic impacts ofthis issue. •Councilor Taylor – noted that successful retail areas in downtown have access to freeparking, many people don’t have access to alternative modes or ride-sharing opportunities. February 25, 2019, Meeting - Item 3A