Council Re-Introduces 2-Hour Free Shopper Parking

Common Council voted 6-1 Tuesday night to introduce an ordinance which would reinstate two-hour free shopper parking in the three Deforest Avenue Park & Shop Lots and the lower level of the Tier Garage.

The lots are currently free because of an ordinance on the books from Nov. 2010 which created a fee schedule to institute a paid shopper parking program in the city without a mechanism to collect the fees. As a result, Municipal Court Judge Donald Bogosian is dismissing parking tickets issued in the four lots from November 11, 2010 until July 18, 2011, costing the city approximately $13,500 in lost revenue.

Coucilman Tom Getzendanner was the only dissenting vote as he said he woudl rather re-introduce the July 12 ordinance which simply modifying the fee schedule originally approved in 2010 with the cavet that it would not become effective until the equipment in in place.

Council President Dave Bomgaars has scheduled a special meeting for Aug. 23 at 7:30 p.m. for a public hearing and final vote on the ordinance in order for the city to begin enforcing the time limit Sept. 1 instead of Sept. 15 if the public hearing is held at the next regularly schedule council meeting on Sept. 7.

While Councilman Rich Madden felt the issue could wait until Sept. 7 since many people will be wrapping up summer vacations in late August and the amount of money to be gained from tickets was between $600 and $700, the rest of council felt it was best to hold the meeting sooner rather than later.

"This has nothing to do with the fines," Councilman Michael Vernotico said. "This has to do with supporting our down during an extremely busy time of year."