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DEPUTATION BY ANN GREEN AND CHRIS SMALL OF STUDIO BLISS CONCERNING MOTION 15-G-083, 2015 BUSINESS PLAN - PARKING OPERATIONS.
Ms. Ann Green and Mr. Chris Small of Studio Bliss provided a deputation regarding motion 15-G-083 concerning the 2015 Business Plan - Parking Operations. Ms. Green advised that she owns the Studio Bliss property and is a resident of Barrie and that Mr. Small resides at the business location on Dunlop Street. Ms. Green commented that she is a representative of businesses in Barrie locally and globally. She highlighted the number of patrons that attend her studio monthly and of those how many attend in the evening. She discussed the financial impact that the proposed downtown evening weekday parking fee of $2.00 would have on her business and clients. She noted that the daytime rate currently impacts the number of patrons that attend the Studio during the day. Ms Green stated that the proposed evening parking rate would increase the cost to attend the studio by up to 35%.
Ms. Green described options provided to draw patrons into the yoga studio during the day. She also discussed the positive financial impacts that patrons of Studio Bliss have on other businesses in the downtown. Ms. Green observed closures of the Heritage Parking Lot and Dunlop Street have also had a negative impact on her business. Ms. Green highlighted her participation as a Business Ambassador for the City of Barrie and also advised of the number of staff working at the yoga studio and the significant increase in patrons over the last year.
In closing, Ms. Green commented that she does not know of any business impacted with a 35% increase in costs to their patrons that would be able to sustain their operations.
A member of Council asked a question of Ms. Green and received a response.
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