MEMO
To: Tim Cummings
Director of Economic Development
From: Marylou Blaisdell
Chair, Downtown Improvement Committee
Date: October 16, 2019
RE: O-019-057
At the October 11, 2019 meeting of the downtown improvement committee the committee reviewed
and discussed 019-057, Increasing the parking limit at meters in zone 1. The committee unanimously
voted not to support this ordinance.
The following points were discussed prior to reaching our vote.
An RFP approved by the board of aldermen is currently in place to study all parking rates,
locations, times, etc. downtown. This study will give the city a professional review of all parking
and what changes and updates should be made. The committee feels it is prudent to make
changes and updates after the study is accomplished. Making changes in pieces causes customer
and business confusion.
This ordinance only deals with increasing the time limit, it does not address the rate per hour.
If this ordinance is passed the city would need to allocate approximately $2,500 for
implementation. Our committee feels this is an unnecessary expenditure if after the study the
time limit and pricing for zone 1 are adjusted again.
The members of the downtown improvement committee are actively involved in downtown,
they listen to their customers parking concerns. We want parking to work for all businesses
downtown and realize adjustments should be made, but we feel a comprehensive study should
be completed prior to any changes made to parking times or costs.
