Parking Violation Fine Increase
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MEMORANDUM
November 14, 2006
TO:
The Honorable Mayor and City Council Members
FROM:
Michael C. Van Milligen, City Manager
SUBJECT: Parking Violation Fine Increase
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Parking System Supervisor Tim Horsfield is recommending increasing fine amounts for
certain parking violations from the current $7 initial fee and 30-day increase to $12 to
the proposed structure of an initial fine of $15 and an increase to $20 if not paid within
30 calendar days. This does not include expired parking meter violations, which would
remain at $7.
Over the past year, the City has had concerns raised regarding the low fine amount for
all parking fines other than the fine for an expired parking meter. Many of the
comments received indicate that the $7 fine for other violations simply does not serve
as a deterrent to prevent vehicle operators from parking in private lots without
permission from the owner, blocking driveways, parallel parking facing the wrong
direction on the street, next to fire hydrants, failing to move a vehicle during declared
snow emergencies and other violations. In evaluating Fiscal Year 2006, enforcement
personnel cited over 12,000 vehicles for violations in the above-listed categories of
violations.
In general, raising fines for these violations would bring the City in line with comparable
cities in Iowa. However, it should be noted that for some violations, such as violations
of snow route regulations, surveyed cities have higher fine amounts associated with
those ordinance violations.
I concur with the recommendation and respectfully request Mayor and City Council
approval.
(\~!1 ~ (telL--
Michael C. Van Milligen
MCVM/jh
Attachment
cc: Barry Lindahl, City Attorney
Cindy Steinhauser, Assistant City Manager
Tim Horsfield, Parking System Supervisor
.
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MEMORANDUM
October 9, 2006
To:
Michael C. VanMilligen
City Manager . . _, ~
Tim Horsfield _A ~~ -~O
Parking System Supervis~' .
From:
Subject:
Parking Violation Fine Increase
Introduction
The purpose of this memo is to provide information and a recommendation regarding
increasing fine amounts for certain parking violations.
.
Backaround
Two years ago as a part of the budget process we increased the fines for most parking
violations from $5.00 to $7.00 with an increase in these fees of $5.00 if not paid within
30 days. We are limited by Iowa State Code on the length of time before an increase
can take effect and we are also limited in that we can increase the original fine amount
no more than the current $5.00
There are currently two exceptions to these fine amounts. The first being the offense of
parking in a designated disabled parking space without proper permit and parking in a
designated fire lane. These fines are $100.00 and $50.00 respectively.
Over the past year, we have had a number of concerns raised regarding the low fine
amount for all parking fines other than the fine for an expired parking meter. Many of
the comments we receive indicate that the $7.00 fine for other violations simply does
not serve as a deterrent to prevent vehicle operators from parking in private lots without
permission from the owner, next to fire hydrants, failing to move a vehicle during
declared snow emergencies and other non-expired meter violations. In evaluating
Fiscal Year 06, all enforcement personnel cited over 12,000 vehicles for violations in the
above listed categories of violations.
.
Discussion
As a result of requests to increase fines and other comments received from citizens, I
surveyed other cities within Iowa to determine if we were comparable in our fine
amounts. In general, it seems as though Dubuque is currently well below what the
cities surveyed were enforcing for fine amounts. The cities surveyed were Des Moines,
Cedar Rapids, Davenport and Council Bluffs. I have attached a copy of the information
we gathered regarding fines in each of these cities.
.
.
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Parking Violation Fine Increase
October 9, 2006
Page II
In addition, as a result of concerns expressed regarding this matter, a meeting was held
with Police Chief Kim Wadding, City Attorney Barry Lindahl, and Economic
Development Director Dave Heiar. You and I were also in attendance.
After discussion within this group, it was felt that raising our current fines for all parking
violations, with the exception of expired parking meter violations, fire lane violations and
disabled parking violations, should be recommended to the City Council for their
consideration. It was the opinion of this group that we would recommend all affected
fines should be increased from the current $7.00 initial fee with a 30 day increase to
$12.00, to the proposed structure of an initial fine of $15.00 and an increase to $20.00 if
not paid within 30 calendar days. Those attending this meeting were in agreement that
raising the fines this amount should serve as a stronger deterrent to the high volume of
parking violations.
In general, raising our fines for these violations would seem to bring us in line, for the
most part, with comparable cities in Iowa. However, it should be noted that for some
violations such as violations of snow route regulations, surveyed cities have higher fine
amounts associated with those ordinance violations.
Action Reauested
With your approval, that this item be submitted for review by the City Council and
subsequent action as seen to be appropriate.
cc: David Heiar, Economic Development Director
Kim Wadding, Police Chief
Barry Lindahl, City Attorney
.
.
.
.
$15.00
$20.00
$15.00
$15.00
$30.00
-
$30.00
$15.00
$15.00
$15.00
$15.00
$30.00
$30.00
$40.00
$40.00
nitally After 4 tickets, no
After 30 days time limit, $30.00
additional fee
Des Moines
Davenflort
N/A
IOctober,
$10.00
--_."--
$15.00
$15.00
$20.00
$15.00
$20.00
$15.00
-
$20.00
$15.00
$20.00
$15.00
$20.00
$35.00
$40.00
nitially
After 30 days
Prosecuted by the ___
court system
04
$15.00
$20.00
$15.00
$20.00
$15.00
$20.00
$15.00
$20.00
$15.00
$20.00
$15.00
$20.00
$15.00
$20.00
!litially
After 30 days
Council Bluffs
'0- ___
-
N/A
$5.00
$10.00
$25.00
$25.00
$25.00
$25.00
$25.00
$25.00
$25.00
$25.00
$25.00
-
$25.00
$25.00
$25.00
N/A
nitially After 5 tickets, no
After 30 days time limit
Cedar
Rafli~!i
February, O~
LAST RATE I EXPIRED IPROHIBITEDI ALLEY
NCREASE METER PARKING
BUS
STOP
STREET FIRE SNOW
STORAGE! HYDRANTI ROUTE
FEE
SCHEDULE
MPOUND
--
STATUS
--.--
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LOCATION
9/29/2006
CITY OF DUBUQUE
PARKING DIVISION
PARKING VIOLATION FINE COMPARISONS
ORDINANCE NO. 74-06
AMENDING THE CITY OF DUBUQUE CODE OF ORDINANCES SECTION 32-279.
PARKING VIOLATIONS-FINES BY INCREASING THE FINES FOR CERTAIN STOPPING,
STANDING AND PARKING VIOLATIONS
Section 1. City of Dubuque Code of Ordinances ~ 32-279 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 shall pay to the city treasurer as a penalty for such violation the
following sum:
1. Except as provided in subsection (2), (3) or (4), any violation of the
subsections of Article VIII. Stopping, Standing and Parking, an initial fine of
fifteen dollars ($15.00) if paid within thirty (30) calendar days of the date of the
violation. If payment is not made within such thirty (30) calendar days, said fine
shall be twenty dollars ($20.00).
2. Disabled Parking Violations, a fine of one hundred dollars ($100.00).
3. Expired Parking Meter Violations, an initial fine of seven dollars ($7.00) if paid
within thirty (30) calendar days of the date of the violation. If payment is not
made within such thirty (30) calendar days, said fine shall be twelve dollars
($12.00).
4. Parking in violation of any designated fire lane, a fine of fifty dollars ($50.00).
5. Parking in violation of snow route restrictions, a fine of thirty dollars ($30.00)
if paid within (30) calendar days of the date of the violation. If payment is not
made within such thirty (30) calendar days, said fine shall be thirty-five dollars
($35.00).
Payment of the above fine by mail to the city treasurer shall be deemed paid as of the
date of the postmark on the envelope thereof.
Section 3. This Ordinance shall take effect upon publication.
Passed, approved and adopted this 20th day of November, 2006.
Roy D. Buol, Mayor
Attest:
Jeanne F. Schneider, CMC
City Clerk
.
.
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Effect of Amendment
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 shall may, within thirty (30) calondar days from the time when
such notico is sor'lod upon such owner or oporator or attached to such vohiclo, pay to
the city treasurer as a penalty for such violation the following sum:
1. Except as provided in subsection (2). (3) or (4). any violation of the subsections of
Article VIII. Stoppinq. Standinq and Parkinq. an initial fine of fifteen dollars ($15.00) if
paid within thirty (30) calendar days of the date of the violation. If payment is not made
within such thirty (30) calendar days. said fine shall be twenty dollars ($20.00).
2. Disabled Parkinq Violations. a fine of one hundred dollars ($100.00).
3. Expired Parkinq Meter Violations. an initial fine of seven dollars ($7.00) if paid within
thirty (30) calendar days of the date of the violation. If payment is not made within such
thirty (30) calendar days. said fine shall be twelve ($12.00) dollars.
4. Parkinq in violation of any desiqnated fire lane. a fine of fifty dollars ($50.00).
(1) Overtimo Parl<ing, Double Parking And ^ny Othor Standing Or Parking Violation: If
paid within thirty (30) calondar days from time of violation as indicatod on the notice,
such fine shall bo the sum of seven dollars ($7.00); if not paid 'Nithin thirty (30) calendar
days, such fino shall bo tho sum of twolve dollars ($12.00).
(2) Stroot Storage: If paid within thirty (30) calondar days from time of violation as
indicated on the notice, such fino shall be the sum of seven dollars ($7.00); if not paid
within thirty (30) calendar days, such fino shall bo tho sum of twolvo dollars ($12.00).
(3) Parking In Private Lots: If paid within thirty (30) calendar days from time of violatien
as indicated on the notico, such fine shall be the sum of seven dollars ($7.00); if not
paid within thirty (30) calondar days, such fine shall be the sum of twolvo dollars
($12.00).
(4) Parking In Interfuronce With Snow Or Ico Removal Or Streot Cleaning: If paid within
thirty (30) calondar days frem the time of violation as indic:lted in tho notice, such fine
will be in the sum of seven dollars ($7.00); if not paid within thirty (30) calendar days,
thon such fine shall bo in the sum of twelvo dollars ($12.00).
(5) Parking In Required J\ccess Roadways: If paid within thirty (30) calendar days from
tho timo of violation as indicated in the notice, such fine will bo in the sum of seven
dollars ($7.00); if not paid within thirty (30) calendar days, then such fine ,,"ill bo in tho
sum of twolve dollars ($12.00).
(6) Parking In Reservod City Service ^reas Or City Owned Vehicle Parking Noas ,".s
Provided In Section 32274, 32275, 32277 Or 32 284 Of This Division: If paid within
thirty (30) calondar days from tho timo of violation as indicatod in tho notice, such fino
shall bo in the sum of soven dollars ($7.00); if not paid within thirty (30) calendar days,
then such fine shall be in the sum of l\velvo dollars ($12.00).
.
.
.
(7) Illegal Alley Parking: If paid within thirty (30) calendar days from time of violation as
indicated on the notice, such fine shall be the sum of seven dollars ($7.00); if not paid
within thirty (30) calendar days, such fine shall be the sum oft'....elvo dollars ($12.00).
(8) Parking I,Nithin Fi'/e Feet Of ,A. Fire Hydrant I',s Provided In Subsection 32 261 (1) Of
This Division: If paid within thirty (30) calendar days from timo of violation as indicated
on the notice, such fine shall be in the sum of seven dollars ($7.00); if not paid within
thirty (30) calendar days, such fine shall be in tho sum of twelve dollarc ($12.00).
(9) Fir-e Lane Violation As Provided In Section 32 269 Of Thic Division: Fifty dollarc
($50.00).
Payment of the above penalty or fine by mail, upon being mailed to the city treasurer
shall be deemed paid as of the date time of the postmark on the envelope thereof.