HomeMy WebLinkAbout11/7/2023 Item 6a, White
From:Linda White <
To:CityClerk
Subject:SLO Downtown Parking
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Below is a copy of a letter sent to the Parking office regarding my experience with downtown parking and request
for forgiveness. Please see that this is distributed to the City Council before Tuesday's meeting.
City of San Luis Obispo Parking Services
1260 Chorro Street Suite B
San Luis Obispo, CA 93401
October 31, 2023
Today at 13:15 I met my friend Monica for her birthday celebration at Mistura Restaurant on Higuera St.
We met in lot 10 where I used my Handicapped Placard to park. She took a photo on her phone of her license
plate and we proceeded to the pay station. As she tried to read the instructions and type in her license, she
continued to be timed out. She was finally able to pay for 15 minutes but wanted the maximum of 2 hours.
Monica called the number on the pay station and the woman on the phone tried repeatedly to talk her
through the procedure to pay more for more time but it just wouldn’t work. She finally said that someone would
be sent out but it would not be until after Monica’s 1:30 birthday party had started.
Monica was ready to move her car to the Marsh St. parking garage and walk back to the restaurant. I
told her that she would be too late for her own birthday party. I proceeded to write a note to the parking
attendant on the only paper in my purse, a clean, never used, KN95 mask. This was at 13:31 see enclosed photo.
If you can’t read the note, it says:
1:31
I have tried getting two hrs. for the last 10 min. The helper on the phone can’t get it to work. I’m late for an
appointment. Monica
As I wrote the note, another couple came up, tourists and they too had difficulty with the machine and
could get only 15 minutes also. I don’t know if they left or hung around for help.
Walking to the restaurant, I told Monica that if she got a ticket, I would pay for it since this was her
celebration. I further told her that The Tribune was reporting the city having trouble with this new parking
system and that I was sure that the attendant would understand and forgive our technological deficiencies.
Monica feels badly because she chose Mistura for her celebration despite myself and our third friend
telling her how difficult downtown is with the narrowed streets, bicycle lanes, increased parking, etc. I am
enclosing photos to support what I have outlined.
I believe that this ticket should be forgiven due to the machine at lot 10 not working, the inability of the
phone person to help, and the note of explanation. If not fully forgiven, I don’t mind paying $7.75 that we tried
but were unable to pay at the pay station. I will pay whatever you decide.
Thank you for your consideration.
Linda White
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2077 Slack St.
San Luis Obispo
805-550-2189
PS Please notify me with decision since I will be paying. Monica is out of town for the next three weeks.
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