Advisory Measure:  Parking & Alternative Transportation - Erin Galiger

Erin Galiger reported her findings to the group regarding research of parking permit policies on other campuses.  She reported that at UC, Santa Cruz they limit on-campus parking to seniors only. She also looked at UC, Berkeley since they already have a measure in force that is similar to the one that CSU, Chico is discussing (to limit parking permit sales to those that live further than one mile from campus).  The UC, Berkeley policy restricts permit purchases to those living further than two miles from campus. They looked at areas along the two mile marker, measured from the center of campus and determined the borderline based upon how the neighborhood was comprised.  Students register on-line or in person; once the student gives his/her University ID number, a current address is verified with University Records and permits are sold accordingly.  If the student's address is within the two mile boundary, they are not sold a permit.

Some of the problems they've encountered include unhappy students who don't agree with the borderline and exceptions that are requested for reasons such as disabilities.

Some solutions/suggestions for CSU, Chico to implement such a policy include:

• When determining borderline, be favorable to pushing the line further back if there are units/complexes that are close to other like structures that lay just under the mile marker.
• Create an appeal form (strictly for “G” parking permits that would exempt disabled, injured, handicapped or pregnant students and other special cases.

The committee discussed the issue further, with topics such as who would sell permits, who would determine the border and who would put the package together to present to the University.  It was also discussed that the computer database issue would have to play a big part in a policy such as this being implemented.

It was also mentioned by Rick Rees that at UC, Berkeley the whole parking issue is part of a bigger message the campus sends to its community. They are not making plans to put in more parking, and in fact they are taking out parking.  They are in the middle of an urban area and there is no space or further plans to create additional parking.  All students and visitors to campus are encouraged to take alternative transportation to and from campus.

Adam Dondro is going to gather a group from AS Govermental Affairs to talk about putting together a fair and comprehensive proposal.  He will contact key people on campus (e.g. Dick Chamberlain in Student Financial Services and someone in the computing department that works with the portal database) for input. Erin Galiger will do additional research to see if similar programs are working at any other campuses.  They will report their findings at the next meeting.

Bicycle Riding on Campus - Leslie Deniz

The topic of bike riding on campus is still being explored by this committee.  There had been a proposal to change the current bike riding on campus rules to prohibit riding on campus, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.  There are others who are opposed to this limiting of campus bike riding 24-7.

Various members of the committee, as well as guests, spoke on both sides of the issue. There are those in favor of banning bicycle riding on campus 24-7 and there are responsible riders who do not want to see riding banned altogether.  Many representatives from both sides gave arguments which favored their opinions.  It was agreed that the campus core boundaries need to be revisited and perhaps bike racks need to be relocated accordingly.  It was also agreed that a consistent message needs to be heard by the campus community (e.g. making all signage consistent, readable and enforceable.)

Glennda Morse reported there is a meeting scheduled in which she, Stephanie Yule and Leslie Deniz will be meeting with the City of Chico traffic control engineer regarding the City's recommendation to create a larger bus terminal area for the city. They will also talk about the issue of improving bike lanes along 2nd and 3rd Streets. It was decided that they will report back to the committee after their meeting with the City before any new recommendations are made regarding signage, changing the campus core, etc.

Both issues discussed at this meeting are to be continued.

Meeting adjourned at 4:30 pm.