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Mr. Brown suggested that staff might contact parking representatives from Corvallis to learn how they <br />had prevented the abuse of free parking by downtown employees. <br />Mayor Piercy stated she was inclined to support the less expensive parking option presented by staff. <br />Mayor Piercy hoped that additional information could be provided regarding the expenses involved in <br />removing and potentially re-installing downtown parking meters. <br />Mayor Piercy expressed that there were a great deal of unknown factors at work regarding the proposed <br />free downtown parking options. <br />Mr. Clark, seconded by Ms. Taylor, moved to direct the City Manager to remove <br />the on-street parking meters listed within the boundaries of “Option 1” on the <br />st <br />Agenda Item Summary before October 1 of this year, to install limited time <br />parking signs within the same boundaries and to hold a Council work session <br />within six months to discuss the long term financial direction of the parking fund. <br />Mr. Clark noted that he had made his motion in the spirit of best outcomes and believed that it would <br />create a more welcoming atmosphere for the downtown area. He suggested that the time limits for <br />individual free parking spaces in the downtown area should be made rotational with precise limits and <br />locations to be determined on input from staff. Mr. Clark agreed with Ms. Taylor’s earlier comments <br />th <br />referencing her suggestion that the free parking area needed to be extended south the 16 Avenue. <br />Mr. Clark hoped that the free downtown parking strategies would not include a sunset provision. <br />Mr. Poling hoped that employees and business owners in the downtown area would exercise a certain <br />level of honesty with respect to the free parking strategies. <br />Mr. Poling suggested that a sunset provision of two years for a downtown free parking strategy would <br />provide good opportunities for the City to review the effectiveness of free parking on the overall parking <br />system. <br />Mr. Clark asked Mr. Poling if he wished to make a friendly amendment in accordance with his previous <br />suggestion. Mr. Poling responded in the affirmative. Mr. Clark accepted Mr. Poling’s friendly <br />amendment. Ms. Taylor, the second to the motion, also accepted the friendly amendment. <br />City Manager Ruiz suggested that the determination on the time limits for the individual free parking <br />spaces be made by Mr. Petry and his colleagues. <br />Mr. Poling noted he would be happy to support Mr. Clark’s motion because he was tired of the City of <br />Corvallis being able to publicize its free downtown parking. <br />Ms. Taylor believed that the City might save money by removing some of the enforcement tools currently <br />used in the City’s parking program. <br />Ms. Ortiz stated that she would not support the motion. She further hoped that staff would provide more <br />detailed information regarding the staff or services that might be eliminated as part of a free downtown <br />parking strategy. <br /> <br /> <br />MINUTES—Eugene City Council August 11, 2010 Page 7 <br /> Work Session <br /> <br />