Downtown Kiosks? Ads on Bus Shelters?

At a budget workshop Tuesday, the City Council kicked around a few ideas for generating revenue to help close a potential $2.3 million budget gap for 2012-13.

Assistant City Manager Lorie Tinfow presented to the council ideas of erecting a standalone kiosk, perhaps at the Liberty Bell Plaza (near Il Fornaio on Broadway), and advertising at city parking garages, bus shelters and the downtown trolley. Piggybacking on those ideas, Mayor Bob Simmons suggested the city explore the idea of advertising on the city website to generate revenue.

With all the ideas, Simmons said, staff should prepare an analysis of costs and benefits, and "look at the impact visually and how the people might react."

Council members showed interest in the ideas presented by Tinfow. Council member Kristina Lawson said the council should explore both ideas (advertising and kiosks). She said the city should take a look at promoting community inclusiveness with messages on advertising boards at city parking garages.

"We should look at all venues for advertising," said Mayor Pro Tem Kish Rajan.

Council member Gary Skrel said he was not "wildly enthusiastic about either one of these." He wanted more information about how they ideas would affect community atmosphere.

Tinfow said the cities of Emeryville and Santa Monica had generated civic revenue through community kiosks, where vendors sell items like sunglasses, cellphones and jewelry.