For the week of March 20 - 26, 2002

Study and planner collide

Ketchum sorts out transportation issues

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By GREG STAHL
Express Staff Writer

A Ketchum-based parking and circulation study and a proposed city parking planner collided Monday night when the Ketchum City Council attempted to figure out how much it can do at one time.

The $80,000 parking and circulation study, already under way, is funded almost completely by a federal transportation grant and should take the better part of a year to complete.

"Let’s see how the study begins to materialize," Councilman Maurice Charlat said. "Let’s hear what they have to say" before hiring someone to implement parking and traffic management plans.

While council members agreed with Charlat, they appeared anxious to implement paid parking, one of the primary duties the city’s parking planner would assume.

"I’m looking to push the ball forward on paid parking sooner than later," Councilman Randy Hall said.

The city has already advertised for applicants for the new planning position and has amassed seven resumes, Planning Administrator Lisa Horowitz said. The position was established in this fiscal year’s budgeting process.

"I think we need to hire a transportation planner right now," Councilman Baird Gourlay said. "Paid parking is going to make Rideshare work. It’s going to make the (peak hour) bus work."

While the city put off making a decision on the matter until its next meeting, about half of the citizens who spoke said the city should hire a transportation and parking planner as soon as possible. The other half said waiting for the study’s results makes plain sense.

Separately, the city council unanimously voted to contribute $10,000 to the first six months of the new peak hour bus service for the Wood River Valley. It is anticipated to run north three times each morning and south three times each evening to help alleviate commuter traffic and offer commuters an alternative method of transportation.

"You’ve got the most to gain and the most to lose from this proposal," former Ketchum Mayor Jerry Seiffert told the city council.

Charlat agreed and said the city should assume a leadership role.

 

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