[Vision2020] Downtown Parking and Dogs at Farmers Market

Tom Hansen thansen at moscow.com
Tue Feb 28 12:10:13 PST 2012


Courtesy of today's (February 28, 2012) Moscow-Pullman Daily News.

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Downtown parking alternative gets bad review
By Brandon Macz, Daily News staff writer | Posted: Tuesday, February 28, 2012 12:00 am
An alternative solution to alleviate complaints from business owners over downtown parking restrictions crafted by Moscow city staff was met with skepticism Monday from city councilors.
The Public Works and Finance Committee decided two weeks ago to keep parking restrictions the same. The complaints also remained the same, said Les MacDonald, public works director.
After reviewing 10 different options, MacDonald said a proposal was crafted by the city streets department and reviewed by him and city supervisor Gary Riedner.
Under the proposal, Main Street parking would still be restricted to three hours but overnight restrictions would be conditional on whether street sweeping or snow removal were planned for that time, said MacDonald.
Parking signs would have a locked, covered panel announcing a 3-7 a.m. parking prohibition that could be opened in the afternoon prior to those maintenance times, he said. Parking on Main Street is currently prohibited 3-6 a.m.
Sweeping and snow removal there occurs about 65 times a year, leaving 300 days free.
"That's understandably a little bit disturbing for people that are looking for overnight parking there," said MacDonald.
But MacDonald said he had concerns regarding the time commitment city staff would have with opening and closing parking signs and people being confused and thinking they can park there consistently.
"I would suggest a little bit more of a phased approach," he said, recommending a pilot project on Main between Fourth and Fifth streets.
Riedner said installation of the sign additions would cost about $1,500, including labor and materials.
"I'm going to be the bad guy here," said Councilor Walter Steed. "... I don't think it will work. I don't think it's practical."
Steed said people could not be expected to read the signs to make sure they were allowed to park, adding the only downtown business open before 6 a.m. is the North Idaho Athletic Club, and its patrons are using the Moscow Food Co-op for parking currently.
"Yes, it's ironic we're talking about people exercising," said Steed. "Consider it warming up or something."
Councilor Sue Scott said she felt the proposal would cause more problems than it would solve.
Councilor Wayne Krauss, who does not serve on the committee, expressed his annoyance when it looked like the proposal was about to be declared dead on arrival.
"This is not a miniature council meeting. This is a committee," said Krauss. "I will be very upset if this committee does not decide to move forward with this or forward this to the council." He added one of the City Council's goals has been to improve downtown parking. "This is kind of a convoluted idea but maybe it's an idea that needs to be fleshed out a little bit."
Moscow Police Chief David Duke said the proposal would likely complicate parking enforcement to a point of ineffectiveness.
"I for one do not want our officers to do 3-hour chalking all night long because they're better suited to providing better forms of enforcement and service to our community," he said.
The proposal will be considered by the full council March 19 when streets/fleets manager Tyler Palmer will be available for additional staff comment.
Moscow Administrative Committee
City councilors took public comment Monday regarding whether or not to ban dogs and other animals from the farmers market with the majority opinion being no.
No one who spoke claimed every dog is well-behaved, however, they asked councilors not to penalize other pet owners who use the farmers market to socialize themselves and their canines.
Katrin Spilde, a Viola woman who works with service animals, said there should be regulations regarding dogs at the market instead with some form of enforcement. This comment was widely repeated.
Duke said there have been three incidents over the past five years regarding dogs at the market: A stray dog was impounded; a dog close to the market bit someone as they ran by; and a dog off its leash was hit by a car.
If dogs are to stay, he said a leash limit of four feet should be used at the market - city ordinance allows for eight feet - and people should not be allowed to let their dogs approach people. He said a muzzling dogs should also be considered.
Councilor Dan Carscallen said the issue will go to the full Council next week for additional comments and consideration.
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Seeya later, Moscow.

Tom Hansen
Coeur d'Alene, Idaho

"If not us, who?
If not now, when?"

- Unknown


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