A new motion to fund signs that would direct travelers to various downtown parking garages prevented the State College Borough Council from making a decision regarding an automated parking system Monday night.

Borough Council member Cathy Dauler proposed at Monday's meeting a $75,000 "way-finding" system that would strategically place signs to direct travelers to garages and would show which garages have vacancies.

Dauler said she wanted to bring up funding for the way-finding signs before budget discussions, which are scheduled to take place in December.

"Some council members like to appear frugal [in the budget meeting], so they pick on a small aspect of the budget to demonstrate how they are saving tax money," she said.

Borough Council member Elizabeth Goreham said she was hesitant to add the additional way-finding signs cost to the already $18 million new parking garage.

"Our financial future is somewhat uncertain," she said. "Although the system will optimistically pay for itself, if it doesn't, then the cost comes back to us."

The money would be coming from funds specifically set aside for the parking garage development -- not Borough Council's general budget, said Borough Council member Jeff Kern.

Borough Council member James Meyer said designating money for the way-finding signs is smart planning, but not a definite financial commitment.

"If we don't market our garages with way-finding signs, our system could be in danger of not making as much money," he said.

Meyer added that the signs would improve traffic flow better because drivers will be able to take more direct routes if they know where garages are located and if there are spaces available.

Dauler said many people don't come downtown because of the perception of limited parking. "I look at the way-finding system as the solution," she said.

Off-Campus Student Union member Phillip Wagner said he gets frustrated when he tries to find legal parking spots. "I'll drive around the block six or seven times before I decide I'd rather take the ... ticket," Wagner said.

The way-finding system is just another aspect of the computer system being put in anyway, Kern said.

"If we were building a store, we'd put enough money aside for a sign," he said. "We're building a secret [parking] garage."

Many states and countries have blue signs that are the international symbol for parking, Council member Janet Knauer said. But she said she does not think State College needs those kind of signs.

Wagner said if the parking system is hard to maneuver as a student that lives here, it must be much more difficult for visitors.

"When my family comes up, they don't even go downtown," he said.

The automated parking system, or Parking Access and Revenue Control System (PARCS), would allow customers to pay for their parking time through machines. The automated system is currently a definite plan for the new West Beaver Avenue garage, but is still under consideration for the existing parking garages on Pugh and Fraser streets.

CTR Systems of Warrendale is currently the only company to bid on the installation of the automated system, which will cost $273,000 for the new garage. Converting the other two garages would cost about $750,000.

Borough Council will vote on adding the automated systems to the currently existing garages at its work session Friday.