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HomeMy WebLinkAbout4/20/2021 Item 10, Visci Wilbanks, Megan From:Chip Visci < To:E-mail Council Website Subject:Council Agenda Item # 10 for 4-20-2021 This message is from an External Source. Use caution when deciding to open attachments, click links, or respond. April 19, 2021 Honorable Council Members: City Staff and Council deserve high marks for their thoughtful and compassionate responses to the pandemic. In a similarly positive vein, City Staff’s budget preview for 2021-23 embodies a forward-thinking plan that supports the Council’s well-crafted, interlocking Major City Goals. I hope residents realize that the parking strategies represent the hub of the many spokes necessary for the city's recovery. The parking strategies are essential to downtown’s renaissance, which, in turn, will power the city’s long-term health. In particular, the long-planned, much-needed Palm-Nipomo Parking Structure is the force multiplier of this recovery strategy. The new garage will help unlock several benefits by providing a giant step toward making the long-dreamed-of Cultural District a reality. Other desired residential and commercial developments are also dependent on that garage, which, in fact, has long been promised. And, if parklets are going to continue - as they should - the City needs the Palm- Nipomo structure to replace the 100+ lost street spaces. Although the proposed parking rate increases will be unpopular, they are necessary. I urge Council to support these proposed rate increases – or ones similarly modest, fair and reasonable – to ensure that the Palm-Nipomo Parking Structure can be completed as quickly as possible. Finally, as someone who actively campaigned for approval of Measure G last year, I also support the Staff’s recommended 75%-25% allocation of the Local Revenue Measure funds. Respectfully, Chip Visci 1