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M1NUT~S <br />PLANNING COMMISSION <br />MAY 9, 2002 <br />10 benches would be necessary. Danielson disputed the estimated <br />maintenance costs for these benches that City staff has put together, and <br />would contend that they costs are actually higher. Danielson asked that <br />U. S. Bench be allowed to enter into a partnership with the City and be <br />able to provide bus benches in those areas that are not the redevelopment <br />areas identified by the City. Danielson also submitted a letter from MTC <br />which indicates their feeling that bus benches help to promote mass <br />transit. He submitted two additional letters from former Governor's <br />recognizing U.S. Bench and the service it provides through bus benches. <br />Danielson also disputed City staff's report relative to the amount of <br />interest in and use of bus benches. <br />Danielson suggested that in working in partnership with the City on the <br />bus bench issue, that U. S. Bench provide benches that include the City's <br />logo on perhaps 25% of the backrest of the bench with advertising space <br />on the remaining 75% of the bacla est. Danielson reported that they have <br />bus benches in many cities, and noted that there are no other cities <br />providing their own benches. <br />Roycraft noted that staff s report is recommending the placement of only 2 <br />benches at this time outside the Little Canada Road area versus the 13 <br />benches U.S. Bench had and the 8 to 10 they are now proposing. Roycraft <br />indicated that he understands U.S. Bench's position and acknowledges the <br />fact that the issue did not come to anyone's attention until another <br />company came in and dropped off several benches in the City. Therefore, <br />the City was forced to take a look at the issue. <br />Danielson felt that 8 to 10 benches would be viable in the City and pointed <br />out that they can easily maintain these benches given they are also <br />maintaining benches in the surrounding cities. <br />Barraclough pointed out that as a businessman in Little Canada he has <br />used bus benches for advertising. While he agrees that removal of some <br />of the benches has been an aesthetic improvement, he was opposed to the <br />City using taxpayers money to purchase and maintain bus benches. <br />Barraclough felt that was a solution Chat could be worked out that would <br />allow the City to improve aesthetics, while allowing U.S. Bench to <br />provide bus bench service at no cost to the taxpayer. Barraclough <br />expressed concern that one of the City's criteria for placement of a bench <br />would be on an "as requested" basis. Barraclough did not believe the City <br />would put in a bench based on the request of one individual. He felt, <br />however, if even one person wants a bench at a bus stop, then it should be <br />put in. <br />-8- <br />