April 2009 Council Meeting.

Issue 1: Whether to approve a resolution to Panhandle State Bank's Parking Memorandum of Understanding.

Analysis 1: In 2006, Mayor Miller inexplicably deferred parking requirements for Panhandle State Bank in the construction of their new bank building. The City and PSB signed an agreement of the parties' intentions to eventually create parking. PSB agreed to provide over two hundred parking spaces or pay $6,500 for each space not provided. To date PSB is approximately 118 parking spaces short or the requirements.

In February 2009, the City Council passed adoption of new parking regulations for downtown businesses. These regulations eliminate parking requirements for businesses in the downtown core. PSB is located in the downtown core but signed the MOU prior to the new parking regulations taking effect.

PSB owns several lots near its new building which are not improved. In addition, PSB has a parking lot attached to its old building which could be used to provide parking for its new building. By using these properties, PSB would be approximately 18 spaces short of fulfilling all the requirements. In addition, once the new properties were improved with paving and striping, PSB would have met the old parking requirements and would immediately be subject to the new parking requirements. What this means practically is that PSB could pave to lot on 4th and Oak (by Monarch Mountain Coffee) and then once the last of it was paved, PSB could immediately tear the paving out, build a building there, or sell the property.

Sandpoint does not suffer from a parking crisis in the western portion of our downtown. PSB and the City worked on resolving the problem by encouraging jobs and downtown activity. The parties agreed to five years of business incubator space in PSB's new building with all tenant improvements paid for by PSB. In addition, PSB agreed to payment of $50,000 for high-tech economic development.

Conclusion 1: I voted in favor of the resolution because I think that it is in the best interests of the City.

Issue 2: Whether to approve the proposals by the Sandpoint Growth Task Force.

Analysis 2: The Sandpoint Growth Task Force proposed 12 ideas to the City Council for how to improve our City. These 12 ideas were recommended to the Council. The majority of ideas were then sent to advisory committees for more work. I am especially excited about the Sandpoint Growth Task Force's idea to create a higher education task force.

Conclusion 2: I whole-heartedly supported the majority of the Sandpoint Growth Task Force's ideas.