Mayor Genser and Honorable Council Members:

Our board and other members of the Wilshire/Montana Neighborhood Coalition have asked me to send a letter protesting the Council’s recent plan to change downtown parking fees. The decision to raise rates and lower the free parking to one hour is EXTREMELY unpopular. Every person at our recent meeting agreed that this decision will make life more difficult for residents and will limit their willingness and ability to use the promenade businesses.

If the primary problem is employees misusing the 2-hour limit, then create a policy to address that problem. Surely a plan could be devised that solves “the employee shuffle” without penalizing all the rest of us who live here. If outlying lots are being underutilized, institute a program that would require employees to use those lots instead. Lowering rates at those lots and instituting shuttle service also seem to be positive steps. Other creative solutions could be devised that address the problem without harming local businesses and inconveniencing residents.

Council Members should be aware that this plan is being publicly perceived as yet one more step in the City’s ongoing, misguided efforts to limit citizens’ mobility and parking. With City Council elections coming up next year, this unpopular parking plan is not something voters will soon forget.

Sincerely,

Jeanne Dodso

Wilmont Chair

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Mayor Genser and Honorable Council Members:

Our board and other members of the Wilshire/Montana Neighborhood Coalition have asked me to send a letter protesting the Council’s recent plan to change downtown parking fees. The decision to raise rates and lower the free parking to one hour is EXTREMELY unpopular. Every person at our recent meeting agreed that this decision will make life more difficult for residents and will limit their willingness and ability to use the promenade businesses.

If the primary problem is employees misusing the 2-hour limit, then create a policy to address that problem. Surely a plan could be devised that solves “the employee shuffle” without penalizing all the rest of us who live here. If outlying lots are being underutilized, institute a program that would require employees to use those lots instead. Lowering rates at those lots and instituting shuttle service also seem to be positive steps. Other creative solutions could be devised that address the problem without harming local businesses and inconveniencing residents.

Council Members should be aware that this plan is being publicly perceived as yet one more step in the City’s ongoing, misguided efforts to limit citizens’ mobility and parking. With City Council elections coming up next year, this unpopular parking plan is not something voters will soon forget.

Sincerely,

Jeanne Dodso

Wilmont Chair