Workshop to
explore parking solutions
LONG BEACH - Vice
Mayor Bonnie Lowenthal didn't get the Parking Task Force and the Parking Master
Plan that she requested.
Instead, the City Council on Tuesday unanimously voted to hold a parking workshop to flesh out several proposed policies that emerged after a recent community meeting.
Lowenthal had asked the council to support a recommendation to create the task force and a master plan along with directing the city manager to return with a parking report.
But some council members expressed reservations about conducting a citywide parking study when, they said, each district has specific concerns.
"The solutions are going to have to be unique," 7th District Councilwoman Tonia Reyes Uranga said.
Councilman Gary DeLong asked that his 3rd District, which includes Belmont Shore and Naples, be excluded from the study.
"I need something that is a very community-driven solution, not staff-driven," DeLong said. "We don't want to be a part of this citywide analysis."
Downtown already has a parking task force, Councilwoman Suja Lowenthal said. She cautioned against being redundant and interfering with her 2nd District's progress.
City Manager Jerry Miller suggested holding a parking workshop to discuss downtown's success and to explore solutions.
Some of the proposed parking policies include creating automated parking garages, increasing partnerships with commercial businesses to allow residential parking, and marking horizontal parking spaces to prevent cars from taking up too much space.
Fire sprinkler incentive
Also, the council on Tuesday unanimously supported U.S. House and Senate bills that would offer tax breaks to those who install fire sprinklers in existing buildings.
The Fire Sprinkler Incentive Act of 2007 would allow owners to claim their tax breaks in five years instead of 39 years.
"I think it would be very, very helpful," Councilwoman Gerrie Schipske said. "It would be an incredible financial incentive for people."
The city will send a letter of support to House Ways and Means Committee Chairman Charles Rangel, Senate Committee Chairman on Finance Max Baucus, and the California Congressional Delegation.
Auditors meet
City Auditor Laura Doud on Wednesday met with her counterparts, who are all female, elected city auditors, to discuss the opportunities and challenges of their job.
Los Angeles City Auditor Laura Chick hosted a roundtable discussion that included Berkeley City Auditor Ann-Marie Hogan, Oakland City Auditor Courtney Ruby, and Doud.
The four women are the only elected city auditors in California, Doud said.
Doud introduced Hogan and Ruby to the council at Tuesday's meeting.
Mira Jang can be reached at mira.jang@presstelegram.com or at (562) 499-1278.
Instead, the City Council on Tuesday unanimously voted to hold a parking workshop to flesh out several proposed policies that emerged after a recent community meeting.
Lowenthal had asked the council to support a recommendation to create the task force and a master plan along with directing the city manager to return with a parking report.
But some council members expressed reservations about conducting a citywide parking study when, they said, each district has specific concerns.
"The solutions are going to have to be unique," 7th District Councilwoman Tonia Reyes Uranga said.
Councilman Gary DeLong asked that his 3rd District, which includes Belmont Shore and Naples, be excluded from the study.
"I need something that is a very community-driven solution, not staff-driven," DeLong said. "We don't want to be a part of this citywide analysis."
Downtown already has a parking task force, Councilwoman Suja Lowenthal said. She cautioned against being redundant and interfering with her 2nd District's progress.
City Manager Jerry Miller suggested holding a parking workshop to discuss downtown's success and to explore solutions.
Some of the proposed parking policies include creating automated parking garages, increasing partnerships with commercial businesses to allow residential parking, and marking horizontal parking spaces to prevent cars from taking up too much space.
Fire sprinkler incentive
Also, the council on Tuesday unanimously supported U.S. House and Senate bills that would offer tax breaks to those who install fire sprinklers in existing buildings.
The Fire Sprinkler Incentive Act of 2007 would allow owners to claim their tax breaks in five years instead of 39 years.
"I think it would be very, very helpful," Councilwoman Gerrie Schipske said. "It would be an incredible financial incentive for people."
The city will send a letter of support to House Ways and Means Committee Chairman Charles Rangel, Senate Committee Chairman on Finance Max Baucus, and the California Congressional Delegation.
Auditors meet
City Auditor Laura Doud on Wednesday met with her counterparts, who are all female, elected city auditors, to discuss the opportunities and challenges of their job.
Los Angeles City Auditor Laura Chick hosted a roundtable discussion that included Berkeley City Auditor Ann-Marie Hogan, Oakland City Auditor Courtney Ruby, and Doud.
The four women are the only elected city auditors in California, Doud said.
Doud introduced Hogan and Ruby to the council at Tuesday's meeting.
Mira Jang can be reached at mira.jang@presstelegram.com or at (562) 499-1278.
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