January 19, 2010
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Council Begins Parking Discussion
DECATUR - Starting Wednesday, residents wanting to weigh in on the long debated issue of downtown parking can do so HERE or by sending comments and suggestions via email to myopinion@decaturil.gov.
The Decatur city council on Tuesday kicked off the public discussion on a set of proposed changes to the parking system designed to improve parking for downtown residents, employees and visitors while strengthening enforcement efforts towards drivers who choose not to follow parking rules. Changes are being proposed to balance the need for parking space turnover amongst people who visit downtown for shorter periods with the needs of downtown employees who need longer-term parking.
Proposed changes include:
- Reducing the hours of parking enforcement.
- Creating an employee on street parking program providing an additional dedicated parking option for employees who work downtown.
- Authorizing the booting and towing of vehicles for offenders owing $100 or more and pursuing driver’s license suspension for motorists having 10 or more unpaid citations.
- Using trolleys to provide quick drop-off service to encourage garage parking.
- Increasing meter bag rates to $10 per day and increasing parking ticket fines for late payments.
- Stabilizing parking garage and surface parking rates at $25 per month for covered parking and $20 for uncovered parking, which would result in an increased charged for some and a decrease for others.
No changes have been proposed for meter costs or in the amount of time motorists can park in a particular space but changes in those areas could occur if the city continues to have problems with people who “plug” meters to extend parking time past posted limits.
Residents will be able to take a quick survey on the proposed changes on the web site or can send general comments via email. Tuesday’s discussion took place during a study session – meaning that no decision was made - and the council is expected to revisit the parking discussion during the first meeting in February.
In other business, the council voted 7-0 to allow taxis to circulate more freely near businesses in an effort to promote safe driving. The council also voted in favor of amending the city code to give the local liquor commission more discretion when dealing with liquor license transfers.
For more information contact Billy Tyus at 424-2753.