Increased Parking Fees, RPP, City Debt

[Daniel Caraco]

Dear Council Member O'keefe,

There are many reasons why raising parking fees a on Sunday is a bad
idea. As others observe, the prospect that one can receive a parking
ticket for attending worship is but one. The day is also a day for
activities which sustain families, friends, and community. Families
gather for celebrations and meals at home or parks. Friends meet at
parks for play and celebrations. And, citizens often find Sunday as an
day in which to exercise their support or dissent for a wide variety of
political and international events. Asking citizens to pay for the right
to gather and assemble can promote social isolation by making these
kinds of activities more difficult. In doing so, it can undermine
democracy and foster social control. The idea is contrary to Berkeley's
purported values of free speech, assembly, inclusion, and community.

This said, there are other, practical, matters for which I would like
you to respond. It is obvious that Berkeley faces a serious, and
deepening, financial hole. I recognize that these measures are an
attempt to constrain the City's growing and unsustainable debt. However,
these measures are no substitute for a full and transparent accounting
of all of the elements that make up the City's short and long term
liabilities-- both funded and unfunded. To this end, I would like you to
provide answers to the following questions:

(1) How much money do parking meters generate for the City?

(2) What is the cost of Parking Enforcement personnel and equipment,
maintenance, fuel, and repair?

(3) How much revenue does the RPP generate for the City so that people
can park by their homes?

(4) How much revenue does RPP enforcement generate for the City?

(5) Given the City 's proposal to "up zone" R-1 districts while
eliminating parking requirements for new construction, will available
parking meet new demand; and, what does the City project for new RPP
revenue?

Finally,

(6) I understand that the City faces a structural debt of approximately
$29 Million Dollars.  Please detail the elements of that calculation
including, for example, the annual shortfall between what the City
receives from the University for the services it provides and the costs
of those services to the City along with the annual percentage increases
and costs for each. Previously, the City Auditor has indicated that the
City also faces significant unfunded liabilities. Please provide a
detailed accounting of thesel as well.

Kind regards,

Daniel Caraco

District Five Resident

[Peggy Mendelson]

And let me add that parking meters are a terrible burden for Working Class People who must drive in order to take care of all their needs while working full-time. Very hard to raise children with these demands and with the financial demands the city makes. Many of our neighboring towns do not make this Demand on people such as Albany. Secondly in reference to the burden of the University, the downtown of Berkeley has been turned into a student dorm and most of the businesses are the type that cater to students. There is no longer a need or desire to go downtown and spend money in Berkeley.  The small shopping areas of Solano Avenue and Elmwood are now about to be destroyed and they are the only places that older Berkeley citizens have an interest. Adding a further financial burden does discourage people from using these shops

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[meryl siegal]

Excellent points all! Did I mention that one of the wonderful San Pablo Avenue restaurants closed because of parking. Parking laws are not enforced often. Cars can remain parked for days on end . We do not need to have more meter times now. We need all we can do to encourage vibrancy in our city. 

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