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<br />Regular City Council Minutes - 3/17/03 <br />Page 15 <br /> <br />Beets' request for Council direction, concurring with his <br />intent to do what was in the best interest of the community <br />and its citizens, while respecting and supporting the <br />business interests ofU. S. Bench and Outdoor Promotions. <br />Councilmember Klausing opined that his inclination was <br />not to support co-locating benches and shelters, he wanted <br />to study the issue further after staff had provided <br />additional information; utilizing available research from <br />the Metropolitan Transit Commission on rider preferences. <br />Pending that additional information, Councilmember <br />Klausing supported continuing the annual permitting of <br />bus benches. <br /> <br />Councilmember Schroeder responded to City Manager <br />Beets' request for Council direction by requesting <br />additional information regarding ridership preferences for <br />benches and shelters being co-located; but his initial <br />reaction was that the two at the same location would create <br />aesthetic clutter. Councilmember Schroeder supported the <br />bench ordinance as it now stood, continuing the annual <br />permitting process. <br /> <br />Mr. Schwartz further expanded on the co-location issue, <br />that the franchise ordinance requirements for shelters <br />would impact future bench permits as it was related to <br />maintenance and other amenities, and recommended the <br />City Council should consider this in their determination of <br />how they wished to direct staff in the future regarding <br />these items. <br /> <br />Councilmember Kough recognized Mr. Greg Piemot of <br />Outdoor Promotions for his comments. <br /> <br />Mr. Piemot spoke to state statute language allowing for <br />franchise agreements for benches or shelters. Mr. Piemot <br />spoke in favor of the shelters for the convenience and <br />comfort of riders, particularly in adverse weather <br />conditions, as well as for their safety and welfare <br />addressed by the increased maintenance requirements of <br />shelters. <br />