10.15.19 Regular Meeting - Laserfiche WebLink

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City Council Meeting Minutes October 15, 2019 that downtown is truly the hub of local business for our community with close to 250 businesses and over 2,000 employees currently. Studies show that around $68 out of every $100 spent locally, stays in that community which is more than double that of dollars spent at chains. This gives the city an even great ROI as the vast majority of businesses downtown are local. I think that it is plain to see that these revitalization dollars spent in this way, would have an enormous and immediate impact. I must also state that effective and enhanced enforcement of the current 2 -hour parking is vital to the success of this program. Without it, the current abuse of patron parking will continue. My hope is that this council will allocate these funds accordingly." Chris Rue, made the following comments: "I am coming before you today to speak about agenda item #26 as it pertains to transportation equity. An estimated 18.5 million Americans are limited in their travel in some way - this group includes people with disabilities, such as blind people, people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, and wheelchair users, as well people with epilepsy. Even where accessible public transportation exists, adults with disabilities consider transportation inadequate. In the U.S., 24 million individuals with disabilities use public transit to maintain their independence and participate fully in society. Currently almost 15% of the San Marcos population is disabled or of the aging population with 35% of those residences living under the poverty line. Our current transportation plan neglects a significant portion of our population to participate in downtown. Adding to the quality of life and vitality, our proposed recommendations in Phase Two, would add to the solution with a paratransit on -demand solution if the program recommended is seen past its year-long implementation. Our fellow citizens from the Schieb Center at 1200 N. Bishop, serves approximately 2,900 adults and children who receive regular services. Additionally, this number does not include all the family members, parents, and caregivers who benefit from the counseling, education, and emotional support involved in helping their loved ones. The bottom line is simple: $9,498: average annual cost of owning a car $27,261: median income of a SMTX resident $58,736: median annual income of households without disabilities $25,550: median annual income of households with disabilities 26%: the percentage of adults with disabilities who do not have a car. 80%: portion of federal transportation funding dedicated to highways (catering to those who have cars and public buses). Thank you for your time and consideration." City of San Marcos Page 7