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Parking Violation Fine Increase Dii~~E ~c/N.-~ MEMORANDUM November 14, 2006 TO: The Honorable Mayor and City Council Members FROM: Michael C. Van Milligen, City Manager SUBJECT: Parking Violation Fine Increase <.." 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 . D~~~E ~ck~ 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. . . . 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 --.-- ---.----- 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 . . . 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.