The Week Ahead: No More Free Electric Parking; Improvements at the Arena; Lots of Music

The City Council Tuesday will consider ending downtown free parking for electric vehicles, a program that began in 2002.

According to a report that will go to the council: 

Since the City began tracking electric vehicle subsidized parking in the Soquel/Front Garage in 2010, the Downtown Parking District has provided over $7,700 in free parking for 3,488 vehicles:  including 598 cars at $880 in 2010; 11 530 cars at $776.50 in 2011; 677 cars at $1868 in 2012 and 1,683 cars for $4,204 in 2013.

"The charging and parking of electric vehicles in the Soquel/Front Garage has grown by over 180% since 2010 and over 148% since last year," the report says. "Electric vehicle purchases are expected to continue to grow with the availability of many new electric vehicles now being produced by the automobile manufacturing industry and with the installation of electric vehicle charging stations across the state and the country.  

Fourteen electric vehicle chargers were installed in three city parking lots last June and costing $87 in electricity.  That will continue. The city expects to save $5,000 a year by cutting the free electric parking.

This will be decided by the city council at 3 p.m. Tuesday. 

It will also consider starting a $75,000 account to make improvements at Kaiser Permanente Arena, the temporary home of the Warriors, which the city has an option to take over.

The money could be used for a marquee, better accessibility and equipment for such things as concerts and trade shows.

Speaking of the Warriors: the team has its first preseason game Thursday night at 7 p.m. against the Reno Bighorns. Tickets are $13 to $45 here. 

Monday musical great Tish Hinojosa plays Don Quixotes, the Texan's first appearance here in years. She's one of the greats and tickets on this off night are only $15. The following night, another female singer/songwriter, Mary Gauthier, plays Don Quixotes. These are really great shows, as every KPIG listener can tell you. Tickets here. 

Tuesday Nirvana inspirations The Meat Puppets play the Catalyst. Tickets here. 

Wednesday one time pop sensation Aaron Carter plays the Atrium at the Catalyst. More info here.