(A) It shall be the policy of the city to consider and implement, where feasible, programs contributing to the reduction of vehicle miles traveled. As a major employer in the downtown area, the city can contribute to and encourage other downtown employers to give high priority to plans to reduce the vehicle miles traveled of employees.
(B) Toward the goal of reduction of vehicle miles traveled, the Council requests the Mayor to compile completed studies and to cause studies of, and if favorable, to implement the following, as well as other strategies that the Mayor may deem desirable:
(1) Develop an active public information and public relations program relative to the urgency of the problem of air quality in the city.
(2) A computer automated carpool program with incentives, such as significantly reduced parking fee or preferential parking for those participating.
(3) Provide automated carpool service to other employers who will develop incentives and encourage their employees to participate.
(4) Expand and promote fleet discount sale of bus tokens both to city employees and other employers and employee groups.
(5) Develop a program of staggering work shifts so as to reduce peak traffic congestion and improve traffic flow.
(6) A program of automatic deposit of employee paychecks in various banks and encourage other employers not yet doing this to initiate such a program.
(7) Seek the counsel of and work with the business community to develop educational and action programs on reducing vehicle miles traveled. The Transportation Department of the city shall develop and submit to the Council, a study of the real needs for public transportation within the city including alternatives to the present bus service such as, but not limited to, mini-buses, jitney service, expresses, “park/ride” systems, and innovative marketing techniques. This study is not to duplicate the current study of bus fares, routing, special uses, currently underway.
(C) As implementation of the pilot bikeways program begins and as the master plan for bikeways is adopted, a plan shall be developed with the business community to encourage the use of the bikeways for commuting. This program shall include but not be limited to, positive information as to availability of bikeways, public school-centered bicycle education and safety programs, incentives for use of bicycles, and development of programs for general bicycle security and convenient and secure bicycle parking facilities with particular emphasis on city-ordinance programs.
(D) The Mayor's recommendation on the selection of engineers for the Computerized Traffic Signal System Feasibility Study in accordance with Ordinance No. 48-1974 is noted. Traffic flow can be improved providing the cost/benefit analysis shows feasibility. The Mayor is requested to have a feasibility study made of improvement of traffic flow by the elimination or curtailment of on-street parking.
(E) The city shall continue to develop and place major emphasis on land use planning as a means of reducing and/or stabilizing necessary transportation and, in particular, the vehicle miles traveled.
(Res. 53-1974, approved 12-2-74)