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8 <br /> Mr. Huja expressed concern that reducing spaces to one hour does not leave time <br />for lunch on the mall. He said fewer businesses are stamping parking tickets for the <br />garages. He agreed with more spaces for vespas. He noted that the exempt zone was <br />established to avoid destroying buildings for parking. He asked if there is data on the <br />number of businesses that stamp parking tickets. He said the previous experience with <br />meters was that they were more trouble than they were worth. He said he supports the <br />idea of one free parking ticket. <br /> <br /> Mr. Taliaferro said he is guessing the recommendation to go to one hour parking <br />is to eliminate the parking shuffle. <br /> <br /> Mr. Tolbert said that and encouraging people to use the garages. He said there is <br />concern about the one hour recommendation. <br /> <br /> Ms. Edwards asked if we know where people come from who park downtown, <br />and is there a way to reduce the number of cars. <br /> <br /> Mr. Tolbert said we need to look for opportunities for employee parking <br />especially for low wage workers. <br /> <br /> Mr. Norris said he is glad to hear that as a lot of people are not earning much <br />money which is why they park in two hour spaces. Mr. Norris said a long-term pet peeve <br />of his is restricting parking after 9:00 p.m. around Friendship Court as people who come <br />downtown at night would park there. He said he believes the current owners of <br />Friendship Court would agree to allowing parking after 9:00 p.m. <br /> <br /> Mr. Tolbert said Chief Longo and he have been having discussions about that, and <br />Chief Longo might be willing to convert some of the spaces. <br /> <br /> Mr. Norris said he feels the question about why wait on addressing some of the <br />issues is a good one. <br /> <br /> Mr. Tolbert said the feeling is there will be so much disruption that it is not good <br />to make changes while renovations are going on. He noted that the building that Mr. <br />Dougherty is involved in is under construction. He said it is felt the changes should be <br />done comprehensively and all at once. He said if more spaces on Garrett Street can be <br />picked up with no net loss that could be done earlier. <br /> <br /> Mr. Norris suggested looking at partnering with private garages to provide night <br />parking. Mr. Norris asked if there will be a lag time for businesses that opt to provide a <br />payment for parking elsewhere in lieu of providing parking on site. <br /> <br /> Mr. Tolbert said that parking can be provided in the Water Street parking garage. <br /> <br /> Mr. Norris agreed with Dr. Brown about the tour bus spaces and to forgive one <br />parking ticket. He said he is not sure about the meters, but is willing to float the idea as a <br />trial. <br /> <br />REPORT <br />: REGIONAL TRANSIT AUTHORITY UPDATE <br /> <br /> Mr. Norris said that Council approved in concept legislation to allow a regional <br />transit authority, but the City Attorney was asked to bring back the exact language. <br /> <br /> Mr. Craig Brown, City Attorney, said that the legislation was drafted out of the <br />working group. He said no funding mechanism is included, just the enabling legislation <br />for a regional transit authority. He said it is general in nature, and details would be <br />included in a future agreement. <br /> <br /> Dr. Brown clarified that the legislation allows, but would not create a transit <br />authority, and Mr. Brown said correct. <br /> <br /> <br />