A JOINT MEMORIAL

REQUESTING THE CAPITOL BUILDINGS PLANNING COMMISSION TO EVALUATE THE EXISTING PARKING OPPORTUNITIES IN THE VICINITY OF THE STATE CAPITOL AND MAKE RECOMMENDATIONS TO INCREASE THE AVAILABILITY OF PARKING FOR ALL NEW MEXICANS.

WHEREAS, participation by New Mexicans in the daily work of their citizen-legislature continues to grow with the encouragement of the members of the legislature; and

WHEREAS, the legislature continues to schedule regular programs of honoring valued citizens and groups with both formal and informal activities at the state capitol during legislative sessions; and

WHEREAS, efforts by individuals and groups to have their voices heard in legislative committee meetings at the state capitol are welcomed, encouraged and valued; and

WHEREAS, special efforts are made to encourage

New Mexico students and their parents to visit the legislature when it is in session; and

WHEREAS, the state capitol has become a significant focal point of New Mexican art and the venue of choice for exhibits that highlight and celebrate the diversity of

New Mexico; and

WHEREAS, the members of the legislature have always sought to make it both convenient and desirable for

New Mexicans to visit the state capitol; and

WHEREAS, it is especially clear that during legislative sessions the parking available in the vicinity of the state capitol is woefully inadequate for people wishing to participate in the process of government, observe their citizen-legislature at work or simply enjoy the various aspects of visiting the state capitol; and

WHEREAS, continued encouragement by members of the legislature to New Mexicans to visit the state capitol should include assurances that safe and convenient parking exists; and

WHEREAS, the capitol buildings planning commission was created to study and plan for the long-range facilities needs of state government in Santa Fe and Albuquerque;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO that the capitol buildings planning commission be requested to evaluate existing studies of public parking in the area of the state capitol for the purpose of presenting specific proposals by December 31, 2003 to increase the availability of parking in the area; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the capitol buildings planning commission be requested to involve the city of

Santa Fe, the public employees retirement association, private property owners and other entities in its study and formulation of its recommendations; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that copies of this memorial be transmitted to the members and staff of the capitol buildings planning commission.