City Council meets tonight at 6:30 in City Council Chambers. This will be the final opportunity to comment on paid parking downtown. Tonight’s meeting packet includes the details of the proposal, as well as public comment that had been received as of last week. If you can’t make it to the meeting, you can watch it through the City website.
The comments are thoughtful and interesting. Some think that Mines has been vilified in the City’s description of the problem, while others think that Mines hasn’t been vilified enough. Some think that the City has campaigned to increase tourism and that residents are being penalized as a result. In general, those who live near downtown think that enforcement of permitted areas should be much better, and many downtown residents and employees think that permitted parking would be good, but permits should be low-cost or free to downtown residents and employees.
Not all of the comments expressed a clear preference, but I counted the comments against paid parking at 20 and the comments for paid parking at 9. Nonetheless, I suspect it will come to pass. Generally, by the time City staff spends this much time studying something and makes a recommendation, City Council goes with it.
Again–tonight is your last chance to comment. If you have an opinion either way, make it known. If you can’t make the meeting, send a note to citycouncil@cityofgolden.net or contact your City Council representatives.
