09-17-2007 CC MIN - Laserfiche WebLink

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City Council Minutes September 17, 2007 Page 5 • Parkin~Permitr Chief of Police Jeffrey Beahen indicated that he would like Council feedback on the permitting process. Chief Beahen explained that the current round robin permitting process is a very time consuming process for the Police Department and one that has previously angered a pottion of the business community. He explained that the current round of permits axe set to expire and he would like the Council to consider implementing the issuance of yearly employee permits with a nominal yearly fee. He stated that the permits would be issued under the condition that the designated employee lot would be fast come, first served with no guazantee that a permit would ensure a spot in the employee lot. He noted that if an employee arrived and the lot was full, they would be responsible to fmd a spot in one of the outlying locations. Councilmembex Faxbex indicated that he would like to go back to the fast come, first served permitting as it appears to be the fairest manner to permit. Councilmembet Motin questioned if permitting were done on a yearly basis, if new businesses would be requited ro wait to obtain permits if they needed them mid-year. Chief Beahen stated that anyone would be allowed to get permits at anytime throughout the year. Chief Beahen explained that the first come, first served approach is similar to the way permitting was handled before where an unlimited number of permits were issued for employees. He noted that if the parking study is accurate and there is a 50% surplus in parking spots, this process should work very well. Councilmembet Zerwas stated that the previous permitting has been set up in quazters and he • would like to continue permitting in quarters so the process can continue to be evaluated frequently. Mr. Holme indicated that he believes if a nominal fee is attached, fewer permits will be issued and that if permits aze free, employers will take more than they need. Ms. Attia expressed concerns with the current permitting process. She stated that employees who do not have permits pazk in the customer parking and move their car before the time limit expires. She stated that if the permits are free, all employees could have permits and would no longer have to park in customer pazking. Mayor Klinzing noted that the city has no way to control who parks in the customer parking as long as they do not exceed the time limit. Chief Beahen added that employees playing the "time game" is problematic in all communities where pazking restrictions axe enforced. He stated that the ordinance could be changed so that in order to be compliant with parking restrictions, a vehicle would have to be moved at least 500 feet from the previous parking location. He noted that enforcement of this change could be difficult and would require strong observation skills on the part of the Police Department. Councilmember Motin stated that if employers truly desire the prime spats to be fox customers, they should not allow their employees to move their vehicles every two hours. He questioned if the new permitting system could be implemented January 1 to allow fox consistency. Chief Beahen explained that the Council could give special dispensation for current permit holders for the current expiration date to be ignored. Discussion took place on the appropriate fee to charge fox the parking permits.