Parking Meter Fines IncreasedMEMORANDUM
February 25, 2003
TO: Michael C. Van Milligen, City Manager
FROM: William J. Baum, Economic Development Director
SUBJECT: Parking Violations/Fines Ordinance Amendment
Introduction
The purpose of the memorandum is to request City Council approval of a change in
Section 32-279 of the Code of Ordinances regarding initial fines and additional late
payment fees for parking fines.
Discussion
During the development of the Fiscal 2004 budget, the Parking Division contacted eight
cities in Iowa to gather information relative to their current parking fine structures. The
cities contacted included Des Moines, Cedar Rapids, Waterloo, Davenport, Iowa City,
Sioux City, Ames and Council Bluffs. I am providing the information for these cities as a
comparison to the City of Dubuque's current fee structure. The comparison will indicate
the initial fine amount, the amount of the first increase, if the municipality has one and
finally the amount of fine if not paid within thirty days. This comparison represents only
amounts for "expired meter" violations. In discussions with these cities, in general it
was indicated that the rest of their parking violations are at the initial amount of $5.00
and then increase to $10.00 after 30 days.
CITY INITIAL FINE
IsT INCREASE 30 DAY FINE AMT.
Ames $ 3.00 $ 5.00 After 7 days $10.00
Cedar Rapids $ 5.00 N/A $10.00
Council Bluffs $ 5.00 N/A $10.00
Davenport $ 4.00 $ 6.00 after 5 days N/A
Des Moines $ 5.00 N/A $10.00
Iowa City $ 3.00 $ 5.00 after 10 days $10.00
Sioux City $ 5.00 N/A $10.00
Waterloo $ 2.00 $ 5.00 after 24 hours $10.00
Dubuque $ 4.00 $ 6.00 after 7 days NIA
The maximum fine allowable by the Code of Iowa (Section 321.236 la) for a municipal
parking violation is $5.00 for the initial fine in conjunction with a $10.00 maximum fine
after a 30 day time period. For violations other than those with an initial amount of
$4.00, the City also has violations where the initial fine is $5.00 increasing to $7.00 after
7 days. These violations include alley, alternate side, residential district, street storage,
private lot, fire hydrant and snow route violations.
In this year's budget, we have projected revenue of $139,000.00 from parking fines.
With the fine adjustments being proposed, it is difficult to anticipate the budget impact
due to the number of variables involved. However, it can be expected to increase
revenues approximately $93,000.00. As we worked through this years budget process,
it was determined we would have a net operating budget deficit of $76,300.00. This in
part brought us to research other cities parking fines and eventually make this
recommendation.
In summary, we would be increasing the $4.00 fines by $1.00 making all initial parking
fines $5.00, We would then apply the increase to $10.00 after 30 days on all parking
fines not paid. This in itself allows substantially more time for payment prior to a fine
increase. This adjustment would also bring the City of Dubuque more in line with the
fine structures adopted by a large majority of cities used in the comparison and I
recommend this adjustment be implemented with the 2004 budget.
Action Step
The requested action is for City Council to adopt the attached ordinance amending
Section 32-279 of the Code of Ordinances.
Preparer. Bill Baum Address 50 W. 13th St Dubuque, IA 52001 Telephone (563) 589-4393
ORDINANCE NO. 15-03
AMENDING SECTION 32-279 OF THE CITY OF DUBUQUE CODE OF
ORDINANCES PARKING VIOLATIONS-FINES.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY
OF DUBUQUE, IOWA:
Section 1. Section 32-279 of the City of Dubuque Code of Ordinances is
amended to read as follows:
Sec. 32-279. Parking Violations-Fines.
The owner or operator of any vehicle who shall receive notice, either personally or by
the attaching of such notice to said vehicle, that said vehicle is parked in such manner,
in such a place or for such a time as to violate the provisions of this chapter relating to
the parking of vehicles may, within 30 calendar days from the time when such notice is
served upon such owner or operator or attached to such vehicle, pay to the city
treasurer as a penalty for such violation the following sum:
(1) Overtime Parking, Double-Parking And Any Other Standing Or Parking Violation: If
paid within 30 calendar days from time of violation as indicated on the notice, such fine
shall be the sum of five dollars ($5.00); if not paid within 30 calendar days, such fine
shall be the sum often dollars ($10.00).
(2) Street Storage: If paid within 30 calendar days from time of violation as indicated on
the notice, such fine shall be the sum of five dollars ($5.00); if not paid within 30
calendar days, such, fine shall be the sum often dollars ($10.00).
(3) Parking In Private Lots. If paid within 30 calendar days from time of violation as
indicated on the notice such fine shall be the sum of five dollars ($5.00); if not paid
within 30 calendar days, such fine shall be the sum of ten dollars ($10.00).
(4) Parking In Interference With Snow Or Ice Removal Or Street Cleaning: If paid within
30 calendar days from the time of violation as indicated in the notice, such fine will be in
the sum of five dollars ($5.00); if not paid within 30 calendar days, then such fine shall
be in the sum often dollars ($10.00).
(5) Parking In Required Access Roadways: If paid within 30 calendar days from the time
of violation as indicated in the notice, such fine will be in the sum of five dollars ($5.00);
if not paid within 30 calendar days, then such fine will be in the sum of ten dollars
($10.00).
(6) Parking In Reserved City Service Areas Or City-Owned Vehicle Parking Areas As
Provided In Sections 32-274, 32-275, 32-277 Or 32-284 Of This Chapter: If paid within
30 calendar days from the time of violation as indicated in the notice, such fine shall be
in the sum of five dollars ($5.00); if not paid within 30 calendar days, then such fine shall
be in the sum often dollars ($10.00).
(7) Illegal Alley Parking: If paid within 30 calendar days from time of violation as
indicated on the notice, such fine shall be the sum of five dollars ($5.00); if not paid
within 30 calendar days, such fine shall be the sum of ten dollars ($10.00):
(8) Parking Within Five Feet Of A Fire Hydrant As Provided In subsection 32-261(4) Of
This Chapter: If paid within 30 calendar days from time of violation as indicated on the
notice, such fine shall be in the sum of five dollars ($5.00); if not paid within 30 calendar
days, such fine shall be in the sum often dollars ($10.00).
Payment of the above penalty, or fine, upon being mailed to the City Treasurer shall be
deemed paid as of the time of postmark on the envelope thereof.
Section 2. This ordinance shall take effect July 1, 2003.
Passed, approved and adopted this 27th day of February, 2003.
Terrance M. Duggan, Mayor
Attest:
Jeanne F. Schneider, City Clerk
Effect of Amendment
Sec. 32-279. Parking Violations-Fines
The owner or operator of any vehicle who shall receive notice, either personally or by
the attaching of such notice to said vehicle, that said vehicle is parked in such manner,
in such a place or for such a time as to violate the provisions of this chapter relating to
the parking of vehicles may, within (30 calendar days) from the time when such notice
is served upon such owner or operator or attached to such vehicle, pay to the city
treasurer as a penalty for such violation the following sum:
(1) Overtime Parking, Double-Parking And Any Other Standing Or Parking Violation: If
paid within (30 calendar days) from time of violation as indicated on the notice, such fine
shall be the sum of (five) dollars {$5.00); if not paid within 30 calendar days, such fine
shall be the sum of (ten) dollars ($10.00).
(2) Street Storage: If paid within (30 calendar days) from time of violation as indicated
on the notice, such fine shall be the sum of five dollars ($5.00); if not paid within (30
calendar days), such, fine shall be the sum of (ten) dollars ($10.00).
(3) Parking In Private Lots. If paid within (30 calendar days) from time of violation as
indicated on the notice such fine shall be the sum of five dollars ($5.00); if not paid
within (30 calendar days), such fine shall be the sum of (ten) dollars ($10.00).
(4) Parking In Interference With Snow Or Ice Removal Or Street Cleaning: If paid within
(30 calendar days) from the time of violation as indicated in the notice, such fine will be
in the sum of five dollars ($5.00); if not paid within (30 calendar days), then such fine
shall be in the sum of (ten) dollars ($10.00).
(5) Parking In Required Access .Roadways: If paid within (30 calendar days) from the
time of violation as indicated in the notice, such fine will be in the sum of five dollars
($5.00); if not paid within (30 calendar days), then such fine will be in the sum of (ten)
dollars ($10.00).
(6) Parking In Reserved City Service Areas Or City-Owned Vehicle Parking Areas As
Provided In Sections 32-274, 32-275, 32-277 Or 32-284 Of This Chapter: If paid within
(30 calendar days) from the time of violation as indicated in the notice, such fine shall
be in the sum 0f five dollars ($5.00); if not paid within (30 calendar days), then such fine
shall be in the sum of (ten) dollars ($10.00).
(7) Illegal Alley Parking: If paid within (30 calendar days) from time of violation as
indicated on the notice, such fine shall be the sum of five dollars ($5.00); if not paid
within (30 calendar days), such fine shall be the sum of (ten) dollars ($10.00).
(8) Parking Within Five Feet Of A Fire Hydrant As Provided in subsection 32-261 (4) Of
This Chapter: If paid within (30 calendar days) from time of violation as indicated on the
notice, such fine shall be in the sum of five dollars ($5.00); if not paid within (30
calendar days), such fine shall be in the sum of (ten) dollars ($10.00).
Payment of the above penalty, or fine, upon being mailed to the City Treasurer shall be
deemed paid as of the time of postmark on the envelope thereof.