HomeMy WebLinkAbout11/7/2023 Item 6a, Tuman, R. (2)
Pease, Andy
Sent:Sunday, October 29, 2023 10:31 AM
To:E-mail Council Website
Subject:FW: Recommendations regarding downtown parking
Bob –
Thanks for the follow-up. Per your request, I’m adding your additional comments into the record.
Andy
From: Robert Tuman <
Sent: Sunday, October 29, 2023 10:24 AM
To: Pease, Andy <apease@slocity.org>
Subject: Re: Recommendations regarding downtown parking
This message is from an External Source. Use caution when deciding to open attachments, click links, or respond.
Thank you, Andy for your most comprehensive and thoughtful response. For the record, I did not recommend, nor do I
support the additional sales tax for road repairs. I will explain my rationale.
We are very happy living here and have no plans to relocate to a no tax state with few to no services. We already know
about the downside of uneven taxation, as we lived in MA for 45 years close to New Hampshire, the “Live free or die”
state. Jeanne Shaheen when she was Governor could have implemented an income and sales tax, but chose to keep the
onerous tax burden on real estate. What a shame.
Pardon the cliche, but that being said, as you likely know, the increased costs of local goods and services (I.e. water,
electricity, natural gas, trash) and parking and taxes is placing an undue burden on city and county residents
I started, grew, and managed three businesses, so I am well aware of the need to be viable. But I want to note that I
reduced my clients’ fees once we got unfavorable outcomes and risks and exposures under control.
Accordingly, I believe it is time to reduce that burden. I get the Boston Globe headlines every day, and even in a high
cost state like Massachusetts, Governor Healey has reduced taxes.
Why do a study? As you may know, my wife Joy Tuman was told by the long-term owner of a very small business that
she may not be able to hold on much longer. Her long-term customers have complained that they seldom or do not shop
downtown due the high cost of parking. Further, her friend, a local salon owner voiced the same concern.
So…just give back. We don’t want a downtown filled with national chains which will pull the plug if they don’t have the
numbers.
1
Take advantage of the long term knowledge and experience of locals. Their feedback will be timely and more accurate
that a survey organization which will likely take a clinical approach.
Thank you again, and i would appreciate if this could be enterEd into the record for the November 7th meeting.
Bob Tuman
Sent from my iPad
On Oct 29, 2023, at 9:19 AM, Pease, Andy <apease@slocity.org> wrote:
Bob –
Thank you for reaching out and sharing your concerns and experiences with the parking
changes… \[full response removed to avoid Brown Act conflicts\]
From: Robert Tuman <
Sent: Thursday, October 19, 2023 2:42 PM
To: E-mail Council Website <emailcouncil@slocity.org>
Cc: Leon, Jose (Luis) <jleon@slocity.org>
Subject: Recommendations regarding downtown parking
This message is from an External Source. Use caution when deciding to open attachments, click links, or respond.
To whom it may concern:
Permit me to offer the following recommendations to enhance the user and business friendliness
regarding downtown parking:
1. End fee parking at 6 pm. If my wife and I meet elderly friends downtown for a leisurely meal, parking
adds considerable cost to the meal. I can't speak for my fellow citizens, but my wife and I and friends
have been frequenting businesses which offer free parking.
2. How about selling downtown parking passes to locals? As my wife and I age, we would be happy to
buy a pass to enable us to park and have a short walk to a restaurant, store, or coffee shop.
3. How about giving downtown establishments the same parking system which the medical office
building at Sierra Vista has. Every time I park in the Sierra Vista medical office building's structure, I get a
ticket which the doctor's office validates for free parking.
4. How about lowering the parking rates for a specific period of time (i.e. during holidays) and
comparing revenue before and after?
5. How about free parking during the holidays?
2
6. And lastly, how about first hour free parking at all the downtown structures? During this morning's
conversation with Luis in the parking division, he estimated that the other structures (the one across
from the Palm Theatre is already equipped with electronic equipment) will not be equipped with similar
equipment until spring, 2024. Why can't this be fast-tracked?
San Luis Obispo is a wonderful big small city in many ways. W still pinch ourselves even after living here
for many years. Downtown is a gem. Why not do whatever you can to bring it back to what it was a
relatively short time ago.
Bob Tuman
4340 Wavertree St., SLO
3