HomeMy WebLinkAbout6/7/2022 Item 6a, Halls (2)June 6, 2022
Attention: Derek Johnson
City Manager
Personal and Confidential
Dear Derek,
E
JUN 0 6 2022
SLS CITY CLERK
Thank you for taking the time to read my previous e-mail regarding the proposed parking fee increases.
The following are a few more points to consider:
The recent Tribune June 5, 2022, cover story on the proposed San Luis Obispo Parking Rate increases did not
include a report on the longer outlook for current projected costs of the SLO Little Theater and the parking garage
construction. Between inflation, currently estimated at eight percent, and the use of union -only labor from as far
away as Lancaster (according to staff they are considered `local') under the Project Labor Agreement, and the
additional administrative costs of up to 30 per cent generated by this exclusive manpower agreement, I believe a
more realistic estimate of costs is imperative.
In addition, it was stated that parking rate increases are driven by a shortfall due to the pandemic: there were
fewer shoppers, and then there was a "parking holiday" whereby charges were eliminated to entice shoppers back
downtown. It is law that the cost of fees must be related to the purpose of the fees. Assuming this purpose is to
make up for the shortfall as cited above and as explained by staff, there must be a sunset clause on the parking
fees increase when this shortfall has been recovered. What are the SLO taxpayers to expect once the indebted
ness is paid? The addition of a sunset clause is absolutely necessary. Are the local taxpayers to expect that these
rates are permanent and more fees can be expected in the future, as there is no sunset clauses mentioned
anywhere in the ordinance?
Lastly, as I stated before, a city -funded downtown theater was a bad idea thirty years ago and is still today. That is
why the PAC was built at Cal Poly with funding in part by the city and in part by a nonprofit. The city residents were
to be given access for plays and other performances. This is worth looking into before we spend millions of dollars
on a playhouse on valuable downtown real estate that will not generate much city revenue but will cost a lot to
maintain and police.
LESLIE HALLS
cc: Steve Barasch, Program Coordinator, San Luis Obispo Property & Business Owners Assn
emailcouncil@slocity.org
Subject: Parking rate increases
While I understand the Council's desires to fund another parking structure and the Repertory Theater, I think this is
a terrible time to raise parking rates. One reason revenue is down is due to the pandemic, of course. Another is,
there is a lot of vacant space downtown not generating revenue. There is a general perception it is not as safe or
pleasant as it used to be, given the numbers of homeless camped out on sidewalks and benches; therefore, people
aren't shopping as much there. If there are fewer people shopping there using the existing parking structures and
street parking, is this parking structure still needed?
I understand these are long term plans, but perhaps the paradigm has radically shifted. I don't see the need. We
have built hotels down town that service tourists who want to spend time downtown. They don't use the parking
structures nor the meters. Also, building more parking structures diametrically conflicts with the city's long stated
goal to make the city more pedestrian- and bike -friendly. We have invested hundreds of thousands of dollars (if
not millions) in bike lanes to accomplish this. I realize the bike lanes aren't funded from the parking fund. The point
is, the city has acted on its bike -friendly goal and on its desire to promote public transportation (think new bus
yard) and now wants to do just the opposite. Can we have both? Probably, but the money is the determining
factor as to which will take priority. So far it's the alternative transportation taking precedence.
I have heard over and over the justification that these rates (like the sales taxes) are mostly paid by tourists, not so
much locals. If this is true, perhaps a locals exemption could be programmed into the now -electronic meters, or at
least granted at the garages. Show your driver's license with your local address when you leave the garage, and
you get a reduced rate. There is precedent for this protection of locals: in Mammoth Lakes, locals get a break on
the sales tax. We are a charter city and can do this. It would certainly appease some local residents.
If we really want to build this parking structure, perhaps we should take funds from other traffic improvements to
build it (if indeed we really will need it). The money for the proposed roundabout at California and Taft (over $2
million two years ago) could also be reallocated, and there are probably other areas that could fund this. I
understand the parking fund is supposed to pay for this, but I do believe, in light of the alleged benefits to
downtown, a case could be made to reallocate other capital improvement funds from other funds to pay for this.
Finally, I am not convinced the Repertory Theater is a very good justification to ahead with this multi -million -dollar
project. I was the chair of the Promotional Coordinating Committee in the late 1980s when proposals for a
Performing Arts Center (PAC) were being explored. There were some very vocal people who adamantly
DEMANDED at public hearings that the PAC be built downtown. The final consensus was that this was not feasible
nor in the best interests of the city. It would cost a lot to keep up, take up valuable downtown real estate, and not
generate the revenue that other uses would. When it was not in use (most of the time, unlike office or retail
space), it did not draw people downtown, just like the county buildings downtown are dead zones on weekends.
As a result, the PAC was sited at Cal Poly, with the city contributing toward the cost, with the proviso that
community groups had access. This agreement on access seems to have been largely ignored since then. Perhaps
instead of this structure, this proviso could be revisited.
Thank you for considering these comments. If you would like to discuss this further please feel free to contact me.
Sincerely,
LESLIE HALLS