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The council was joined for the item by Public Works Parks and Open Space Division Manager <br />Johnny Medlin, Cultural Services Division Manager Rich Scheeland of the Library, Recreation, and <br />Cultural Services Department, and Parking Program Manager George Jessie of the Planning and <br />Development Department. <br /> <br />Mr. Medlin overviewed the staff recommendation, which was to remove the maximum amount that <br />could be charged for off-street special event parking and allow the City Manager to set the <br />amount. He noted that the current maximum of $3 was far below market for football parking at <br />and around Autzen Stadium. Events at the Cuthbert Amphitheater and events that employed <br />downtown parking structures would also be affected. <br /> <br />Mr. Kelly called for council questions and comments. <br /> <br />Mr. Fart determined from Mr. Medlin that the recommended option would remove the cap; Option <br />B would leave the cap but change it to $30. Mr. Farr asked if the change would affect the <br />Freedom Event, held on July 4. Mr. Medlin said that the City issued special permits for that event <br />that encompassed parking. The event would not be impacted, nor would other events where the <br />event coordinator, rather than City staff, controlled the parking. Mr. Fart asked what types of <br />events could command higher parking fees. Mr. Medlin cited home football games at Autzen <br />Stadium as an example. <br /> <br />Mr. Meisner favored staff-recommended Option A. It delegated authority to the manager and <br />allowed for administrative adjustments to reflect market changes. He hoped the option generated <br />additional revenue for the Parks and Open Space Division. He also hoped it provided some <br />additional protections for Alton Baker Park, where parking created significant damage to the park. <br /> <br />Ms. Bettman supported Option A but believed the revenues being generated should go through <br />the budget priorization process. She asked how night-time events were addressed, and <br />questioned what constituted a special event. She asked how the proposal would affect users <br />such as those at the BMX track, who leased land from the City for $1 and then charged for parking <br />and kept the money. There was no taxpayer accountability for how the money was spent. Ms. <br />Bettman said that the City was bestowing a benefit on one entity that others could not take <br />advantage of. <br /> <br />Ms. Bettman asked if the City would be recovering the cost of maintaining Hult Center parking <br />under the proposal. <br /> <br />Mr. Medlin said that the revenues collected were subject to the budget prioritization process. Staff <br />requested authorization from the Budget Committee for the use of the revenues. Regarding the <br />BMX facility, the City was currently in negotiations with the facility operators to establish a parking <br />arrangement that shared revenues with the City. <br /> <br />Mr. Medlin deferred the issue of the use of parking revenues from structured parking to Mr. Jessie. <br />Mr. Jessie said that currently, all special event revenues go to the Parking Fund and are available <br />for maintenance and operations of the structures. He said that the parking rates are based on <br />market rates rather than on maintenance estimates. <br /> <br />Mr. Rayor wanted to see a minimal amount of space allocated for bicycle parking. He wanted <br />maximum fees that encouraged rather than discouraged bicycle use. He called for an analysis of <br /> <br /> MINUTES--Eugene City Council July 10, 2002 Page 8 <br /> Work Session <br /> <br /> <br />