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June 08, 2006
It's a "Bunch of Bunk" that Municipal Parking Lot #6 just disappeared
If you look at a map showing the location of Municipal Parking Lots (MPL), you’ll notice that there is no MPL #6 on any of the recent maps that were prepared for the Charrette (meaning Charade or Sham) for the Downtown Access Study, which many of the participants thought was a waste of time. I asked several Councilmember’s if they could identify the location of MPL #6–they were unable to tell me the location of this lot. A little research on my part found the location—(it’s the property were the City Council gave the property to the Boys and Girls Club in about 1996)—a noble project.
They forgot about the fact the property was purchased by the City with Parking Meter Revenue—which under the law, the value of the property is to be reimbursed to the Parking Meter Fund, It was estimated that at the time of the transfer to be appraised at about $ 330,000. So the City will now have to reimburse the Parking Meter Fund to the tune of $ 330,000 plus interest accrued since 1996. I understand that they intend to transfer the money into the Parking Meter Fund sometime during the Budget Session which is now underway—a little late but better late than never.
During the research, I also found that the City adopted a change in the use of the funds—originally for Parking Facilities and the maintenance of them including Parking Meters and other matter directly relating to the Parking Facilities. But guess what? Some time along the way, the Council also added the use of the Parking Meter Revenue for bicycle and transit facilities—even though these facilities do not add any revenue to the Parking Meter Fund.
Once again,they are stealing from those that pay for the Parking Facilities.
The Council has made no attempt to purchase additional land for a Parking Lot that may be necessary as the Downtown develops to the south of 6th Street. Once again, no long term planning or vision for the growth of Chico’s Downtown.
Posted by at June 8, 2006 06:54 PM
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