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Committee debates charging community storage fees; motion proposed to phase in 34¢/sq ft starting 2027
Summary
Committee discussed whether to charge community groups for storage, reviewed five rental-rate options ($0.34–$1.00 per sq ft), and a member moved to adopt a phased schedule starting at 50% of $0.34 in 2027 and 100% in 2028 with potential exemption for the Zoological Society; the transcript records the motion but no vote.
Staff presented a review of community storage usage, pricing and the Polk Avenue budget shortfall, telling the committee that market rates for comparable storage ranged from $0.34 to $1.00 per square foot. The staff packet included square-footage and cost tables for five storage providers and an estimate of annual costs if city-run storage were charged at market rates.
Committee members debated whether to charge groups and how to phase any fee. One committee member urged exempting the Zoological Society because "the only reason the Zoological Society exists is to give money to the city," arguing that charging that organization would be counterproductive. Multiple members recommended a phased approach to reduce immediate impacts on nonprofit groups: a proposal that emerged in discussion would start in 2027 at 50% of the chosen rate and move to 100% in 2028.
An unidentified member then made a motion "to move ahead with a fee schedule... I like the 34¢," proposing 34¢ per square foot as the target rate, phased in at 50% in 2027 and fully applied in 2028, and suggesting the committee consider an exemption for the Zoological Society. The motion was placed on the record; the transcript does not record a second or a final vote or amendment.
Committee members raised implementation questions: whether groups would have access (keys) and which organizations could realistically afford the fee, with one member suggesting outreach to the groups before final implementation to gather feedback and determine the real revenue potential. Staff described the discussion as informational at this point and recommended further outreach and a timetable that gives groups time to adapt.
Because the transcript ends without a recorded vote, the committee’s action status is "motion proposed" and next steps are outreach and further deliberation before final adoption.
