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Kelly Franks mentioned that there was a local company interested in providing valet parking at <br />one time. She will check with the company to see if they are still interested in providing the <br />service. <br />Sherwood Bishop suggested having a parking lot where people leave their cars and have a <br />shuttle service take them downtown. <br />Howard Williams said the shuttle service would be considered a commercial vehicle and would <br />then be subject to the taxi ordinance. <br />Allen Shy said perhaps downtown business owners could get together to enter into contracts for <br />use of lots after business hours if the businesses agreed to clean the lots on a regular basis. <br />Kelly Franks mentioned that the problem comes in when cars are left overnight. <br />Allen Shy suggested that cars left overnight could be towed. <br />Rick Menchaca informed the Task Force that Stephanie Reyes contacted the Austin Downtown <br />District and MADD regarding alternative transportation options. <br />Stephanie Reyes said there is a partnership between UT Austin, Austin Police Department and <br />Capital Metro to provide shuttle service for areas on campus. Students and Faculty who show <br />their ID ride the E-Bus for free. Others are allowed to ride for a 75-cent fee. MADD was not <br />aware of other programs currently available. <br />Brian Montgomery mentioned that Downtown parking needs to be addressed. There are interim <br />things that need to be done before a parking garage is built in the future. Perhaps the City <br />could look at a satellite parking service. <br />Sherwood Bishop added that while he agrees the satellite parking is a good idea, most people <br />who use SWAT do not anticipate using them or they would not have driven their cars in the first <br />place. <br />Brian Montgomery inquired about the status of looking into CARTS having a special route in <br />heavy student-populated areas. <br />Laurie Moyer responded that staff has requested a cost estimate from CARTS. <br />Sherwood Bishop said even if CARTS does not have a specific route, it still is important to have <br />a place for buses to wait, such as the Courthouse Square. <br />Julie Eckert volunteered to do some research regarding alternative transportation options other <br />Universities use. <br />Rick Menchaca said staff is also doing research on the CARTS side. <br />Rick Menchaca said the City Council needs to determine the best avenue for implementing the <br />Downtown Master Plan and informed everyone about the 6 p.m. Beautification Plan Workshop <br />on May 11, 2009.