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City of Seattle
Seattle City Council
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NEWS ADVISORY
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| SUBJECT: Council Nixes Parking Meters In Parks
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
10/27/2004 5:39:00 PM |
FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT:
Nancy Roberts (206) 684-8146
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COUNCIL NIXES PARKING METERS IN PARKS
SEATTLE –While on Council Budget Retreat, Seattle City Councilmembers today expressed unanimous skepticism about Mayor Nickel’s proposal to install parking meters at Green Lake, Seward, Lake Washington, McCurdy and Lincoln Parks.
“We shouldn’t nickel and dime our citizens to death,” said Council President Jan Drago. “People are facing so many fees and charges, they deserve to have some places that are public property and open to all.”
“Our parks should be free and accessible to all,” agrees Councilmember Peter Steinbrueck.
“Our parks belong to the people of Seattle. Going for a walk shouldn’t require a payment,” said Councilmember Richard Conlin, Chair of the Council’s Transportation Committee. “It will just cause problems in the surrounding neighborhoods as people look for free spaces to park.”
“This proposal makes no sense from a fiscal standpoint, either,” noted Councilmember Richard McIver, Chair of the 2005-2006 Budget Committee. “We’d be spending $300,000 on stuff and pay structures to net $100,000 in revenues, at a cost of incredible aggravation,” he added.
No Councilmember expressed support for the proposal. Formal action rejecting the Mayor’s proposed pay parking in the City’s parks will occur when the Council votes on the Mayor’s budget by the end of November.
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City Council
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