HomeMy WebLinkAbout07-07-21 Public Comment - G. Garrigues - proposed resolution 5495From:Greg Garrigues
To:Agenda; Mike Veselik
Subject:Public comment on proposed resolution 5495
Date:Tuesday, July 11, 2023 11:39:51 AM
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Dear Bozeman City Commisioner-
I am writing in opposition to the proposed Resolution 5495 and the related increase in
University Residential Parking Permits and ask the commission to not approve.
My points of opposition are:
1. Reasonable opportunity to comment was not provided. While the letter from the citywas dated June 22nd it was not received by neighbors until July 8th, with a hearing on
July 11th. 72 hours response is not reasonable for a cross section of the community torespond, and it is unclear why there was such a substantial delay.
2. The budget reported in the 22nd letter does not list all sources of revenue in theUniversity Parking District. The city charges a Business/Opportunity Fee to Bird
Scooters, established dedicated parking throughout the Unniversity Parking District, andchooses not to enforce with fines scooter vehicles (as defined in the MCA) that are not
parked in designated areas. A portion of the administrative fees collected from Birdshould be allocated to the cost of parking district administration, and fines should be
pursued for illegal parking if the scooters in the neighborhood. Neither of these revenuestreams have been reported or allocated and should be done before a permit increase be
approved.3. The University Parking District was created to promote residential access to parking
AND public safety. The current enforcement effort is not conducted on the days orhours where safety is most at issue. Because of MSUs closure of Grant traffic on 6th
and parallel streets have substantially increased. Parking enforcement on 6th does notoccur between 3PM and 5PM or weekends when traffic on 6th is at its peak and most
dangerous. Greek parking violations spike Thursday ~Sunday after 5pm, and their isno parking enforcement scheduled at all. What are we paying for if enforcement to
support safety is not occurring?4. The city has been supported with community feedback and technology support about the
form of visitor permits. Currently, the standard visitor permits are not usable by allhousehold members, creating a true equity of access problem. My kids, in-laws and
visitors cannot access permits without walking two blocks, having my password andhaving both the patience and understanding of how a non intuitive system works. We
petitioned for a hard permit to return visitor permit access to all that live at our homeand after challenge we’re granted. We were the exception and argued the issue and the
decrease in sales of visitor permit I believe reflects those that just gave up.5. The math in the budget does not add up. Permits and revenue math appears incorrect.
The University Parking District is necessary for quality of life and safety, but I believe that thecity needs to sharpen its pencil and capture revenue from scooters, fines and fees to run it.
The view presented in the proposed resolution 5495 is not complete and does not address allissues that should be reviewers simultaneously to a rate change.
Thank you for considering my POV, and than you for your service to our community.
Best regards-
-Greg Garrigues1113 S. 5th Ave.
Bozeman, MT 59715