Spokane7
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January 31, 2011 in City
Expired parking meter would cost $25 under plan
Council considers adding $10 to fine for unfed meter
Richard Kridler, parking meter specialist with the city of Spokane, issues a ticket Friday to a vehicle parked at an expired meter on Post Street.
(Full-size photo)(All photos)
Motorists could soon face heftier fines for parking too long at downtown parking meters.
The Spokane City Council is scheduled tonight to consider raising parking ticket fines from $15 to $25.
“It’s bringing us in line with a lot of metropolitan areas,” said Council President Joe Shogan, who supports the change. “These aren’t parking rates. These are fines that people get for over-parking.”
But some downtown businesses question the increase. Parking fines were last raised in 2004, when they went from $10 to $15.
“There’s already this false sense that downtown is overpriced for parking and difficult to navigate, and anything that makes that falseness feel true – people just stop coming,” said Melissa Opel, manager of the flagship Auntie’s Bookstore at Washington and Main. “If they keep on increasing the fines people will just stop shopping downtown.”
The Downtown Spokane Partnership recommends holding off on raising fines at least until after the council is presented with the final results of a downtown parking study next month, said Marla Nunberg, vice president of the organization. That will allow the council to “take a more holistic approach,” she said. The downtown business group paid $20,000 toward the $46,000 parking study; the rest was covered by the city.
Some council members say they’d prefer to wait to consider fine increases until the study is complete.
“Everything is all connected, and we have to see how it all fits,” Councilman Jon Snyder said.
Spokane issued tickets for 47,263 violations at parking meters in 2010, said Street Director Mark Serbousek. Parking infractions throughout the city generate about $1.25 million a year, said Budget Director Tim Dunivant. The city predicts that it would collect about $200,000 more for each $5 increase in fines.
The Spokane proposal mirrors a fine increase last year in the city of Tacoma. Last year, the Tacoma City Council raised parking tickets from $15 to $25. It also approved the installation of parking pay stations downtown, said Rob McNair-Huff, Tacoma spokesman. Previously, parking was free on downtown streets, but time limits were enforced.
Spokane leaders first passed an ordinance allowing for parking meters in 1939. That law was upheld by the state Supreme Court in 1941, according to Spokesman-Review and Spokane Daily Chronicle archives.
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Dazzeetrader11 on January 31 at 12:19 a.m.
Isn’t Snyder a genius?
Isn’t Shogan a genius?
How about Verner?
The three stooges! No matter what it is, these three plus Rush will always be looking for a way to 1. get rid of auto traffic, 2. increase bike or walking traffic, or 3. figure out a way to penalize people who pay their salaries.
Now about that tab tax, license fees and rider fees for the bicycle crowd?
Spokane rid yourselves of these miscreants. hey mean to hurt you and your businesses. They have enough money to mismanage. And they will continue to look for more.
SpokyDaBear on January 31 at 12:29 a.m.
The City makes more money from parking fines than it does from the meters.
They forget meters were first installed to help circulate parking for downtown business. They were never intended to be a vehicle for city revenue.
New_Improved_Drywitt2000 on January 31 at 2:21 a.m.
“The Downtown Spokane Partnership recommends holding off on raising fines at least until after the council is presented with the final results of a downtown parking study next month, said Marla Nunberg, vice president of the organization.”
I agree.
What’s the rush?
Doing SOMETHING is never the solution to a problem.
Doing the RIGHT THING is.
So lets take some time and get it right.
mikeln on January 31 at 5:17 a.m.
Twentyfive bucks for overparking is a lot of money for some people. I know I’ll never park at one of those meters, I don’t like getting robbed for being a little late.
DHF on January 31 at 6:05 a.m.
Why dont you take that 46.000$ and fix the potholes on Francis. They need a study ot breathe in that town. All it will do is hurt the downtown business area. When I come to Spokane I stay up north or go to the valley mall. I stay away from downtown because of the meters and it is hard to find parking.
Bob_Knows on January 31 at 6:47 a.m.
LOL. They won’t be charging me $25 because I NO LONGER GO DOWNTOWN. I go and spend money only where I’m welcome. Their red flag bandits and roving robbers unwelcome the people to Spokane. There are plenty of stores in Coeur d’Alene or the Valley that will provide everything we want to spend OUR money on.
Unwelcome to Spokane gets worse every day. Last time I tried to shop downtown I parked and couldn’t find any change for the meter. I noticed that half the shops on that street were CLOSED. You want to CLOSE downtown, just make it hard for WE THE PEOPLE to come downtown.
How stupid can the Council get. Every dollar collected from the meters costs them $10 in lost sales tax. WE THE PEOPLE don’t have to go to Spokane. We shop where we are welcome. Spokane should TAKE OUT their obscene meters and welcome people back to Spokane.
lewis8457 on January 31 at 7:06 a.m.
If you don’t pay the fine within 30 days the city hands you over to a collection company. Such a friendly city we live in, go ahead raise em. more reasons to stay away from downtown.
Northtown and Valley mall have free parking all day every day.
pjc on January 31 at 7:27 a.m.
Raise the fine for over-parking to $25 - Now that’s a brilliant way to keep people from shopping downtown.
The “smart people” in charge have struck again!
DickAdams on January 31 at 8:05 a.m.
Several years ago I received a $30.00 parking ticket for parking 4 minuets before the 6PM deadline by Macy`s. I took my family to the Olive Garden and spent $180.00 plus the cost of the ticket. Haven`t been downtown to eat since. Prior to that evening of we`d dine in downtown several times a year. I know nobody gives a rip but I do. By the way, I was told the meter person waited for 4 minuets.
herewegoagain on January 31 at 8:08 a.m.
Another nail in the coffin for Downtown businesses, and they wonder why people head for the shopping malls.
Bruce (aka thatoneguy) on January 31 at 8:14 a.m.
I rarely go downtown, but that’s mostly because it’s hard to find street parking and there’s no place I want to shop. The possibility of a parking ticket is not really a factor for me — you put money in the meter, and you keep track of the time — but obviously it is for a lot of people.
The cynical side of me says the Parking Garage people are licking their lips at this…
jddavis on January 31 at 8:21 a.m.
“There’s already this false sense that downtown is overpriced for parking…”. There is nothing false about the overpriced parking downtown Ms. Opel.
Just another reason to spend money somewhere else!
misjustice on January 31 at 8:28 a.m.
Another reason NOT to go downtown.
A few years ago I got one of those 15.00 tickets; I thought it was ridiculous, I had fed the meter ( a couple bucks) but got back a few minutes late from dinner at the Onion. The meter maid was just pulling away; what do they do, sit on the meter till the time ticks off?
Those of us that live here expect our city to treat us this way but I have to wonder about out of town visitors and what their impression is; what they tell their friends back home?
johnclarke on January 31 at 8:35 a.m.
Cost to park at NorthTown or Valley Mall ? Zero.
READER27 on January 31 at 8:47 a.m.
Absolutely Ludicrous!! Better make a “Breathing” or “Air: tax as well. You know for each person leaving their “carbon-footprint” from exhaling “carbon-dioxide”, another way to bridge the gap in the wasteful government spending! But the city officials get parking passes, so they don’t need to pay for parking or worry about letting their meter expiring for 5mins and getting a $15 ticket! maybe if they had to worry about leaving their work to go fill their meter because it doesn’t allow you to fill it for your entire work day, they wouldn’t be so quick to raise it that high…or impose something like that in the first place!
Ninch on January 31 at 8:52 a.m.
I got a parking ticket on my car which was stolen (ergo not in my possession) at the time. I had filed a report but apparently there is no nexus between parking violations and police reports. On top of that the fine was increased because I did not respond to the original ticket placed under my car wiper. (Again the car was stolen and the criminal was not going to let me know about a parking ticket.) I had to jump through a lot of bureaucratic barriers (and bad attitudes) to get the parking ticket waived. Looking back it would have been more efficient to pay the ticket, but the subsequent series of violations against me and my property needed addressed.
lewis8457 on January 31 at 8:53 a.m.
If they don’t want people downtown why don’t they make it walk and bike only?
That way those of us that can afford cars can go to a area mall and the 7 or 8 guys that ride bikes in Spokane can have downtown to them selves.
sounds like a win win to me
Orphan on January 31 at 8:58 a.m.
I am taking my wife out to dinner tonight for her birthday, she was stuck between 2 restaurants one downtown and one north side. Thanks for making up her mind, northside it is.
Orange on January 31 at 9:44 a.m.
Yes, make dowtown Spokane a place to loath. I agree, the Northside has just as much to enjoy, and free parking everywhere.
mikeln on January 31 at 9:59 a.m.
Reader27, they have a tax planned for breathing, it’s called cap and trade. This is where big buisness is given our money to gamble on wall street.
FreeTh1nker on January 31 at 10:03 a.m.
Yes, what a great idea Spokane! I see this as being a wonderful way to attract people downtown. Fortunately, I only work here and quickly return home to Coeur d’Alene where I can park and spend my money at leisure…
de3 on January 31 at 10:24 a.m.
Great idea Spokane. There are already far too many parking lots and spaces generally sitting empty - so lets raise the price.
What a bunch of idiots.
Most “metropolitan areas” have a real economy. Spokane does not.
And I won’t be shopping at downtown businesses anymore either. I don’t need to.
eagleproducer on January 31 at 10:33 a.m.
I love the parking nazis who come into neighborhoods to issue tickets now to “improperly” parked cars. They just love to visit Browne’s Addition and give out 50-60 tickets at a time.
ZagChuck on January 31 at 10:38 a.m.
Congratulations to the Spokane City Council for thinking outside the box on methods to meet their pollution reduction goals much sooner, and be able to add whole car lanes, rather than just bike-lanes for the cyclists.
There will be some temporary problems with increased traffic and pollution as the moving trucks are shuttled through, but at this rate, the only thing left downtown will be the court house and the GSI building Soon no one will live, work or travel in Downtown Spokane, leaving it free for all the bicyclists to roam.
As a secondary note, How many people think the city council will wait to see the revenue generated BEFORE they spend it on something foolish like another turnabout?
schleufer on January 31 at 11:12 a.m.
just one more reason to not go downtown. maybe every 5 years or so if i need a new camera id stop at huppins but now they have another store so there is no reason to go there. shopping really isnt a guy thing anyways let alone getting stuck with a fee and maybe a fine. that whole idea is like mixing oil and water.
i think the only guys who support shopping are divorce lawyers.
ZagChuck on January 31 at 11:46 a.m.
@ Spotucky, they do that all day in the Logan N’hood too.
Long ago “parking enforcement” became “Tax Collecters”
Dazzeetrader11 on January 31 at 11:58 a.m.
Makes one shake her head. Verner, Rush, Snyder, Shogan…..probably Waldref..the greenie ones….just seem to be out of touch. At any time, not just these economic time, it’s just confounding how our of touch a mayor and council members can be.
This is simply a new way to make money while installing barriers to automobiles and their drivers.
A nice way to choke off downtown when downtown needs to be thriving and expanded. I’m not sure what the goal is by Verner’s team. Obviously this is another proposed barrier for autos……as is their parking lot tax, but how do these greenie brained liberals think? Looks like Verner and her Council have already depleted the fund at City Hall. This is just another way to sneak one in on the public. I wonder if this would even be known has it not been for Jonathon’s article. SO much for transparency Verner promised.
WHy can’t Verner and council manage money? WHy do they continually spend? Why must they come to the public with an open hand all the time? WHy can’t the streets be paved and fixed? WHy does she buy real estate when she doesn’t need to. Why doesn’t she still have the river cleanup fund? Where’d it go? Why has she raised fees on water? Sewer? Waste? etc..all this when the rate stabilization fund is supposed to prevent the hikes? And there’s so much more….and now this.
Trying to force the public to pay for something they don’t want reminds me of strongarming. Does Spokane really like this mayor or her council? I still don’t know what Verner’s done for the city except spend on things unseen. They wouldn’t last 5 minutes in most cities.
theisena on January 31 at 12:13 p.m.
I challenge everyone here who’s complaining about parking meters downtown to find ANY major metropolitan downtown area without parking meters. And if you find such a city, move there.
Edwame on January 31 at 12:18 p.m.
Is a parking meter specialist the same as a meter maid?
babybunny on January 31 at 12:20 p.m.
I highly doubt the extra dollars they would make off of unsuspecting consumers offering their business to downtown would ever make up for what they are costing the shops and restaurants.
And misjustice, you speak the truth. Living in CDA, often times when friends/coworkers/family are in the mood to go out for fun night on the town, a nice dinner, or out for a day of shopping, someone will suggest someplace downtown spokane, but
a) the aimless search to find parking in a safe area
b) having to pay 5-10 bucks to park when you do find a spot
c) the need to rush through dinner or shopping to run out to your car to check the metor
are ultimately enough to discourage us from going and we always end up keeping our business her in CDA or in Spokane Valley where we are welcome.
Its unfortunate that downtown misses out on our business in a down economy already, but lets give everyone more reasons to to feel their business is unappreciated and avoid it!
DickAdams on January 31 at 12:48 p.m.
Addendum:
I was asked about my forgoing post re a $30.00 ticket. It was in a loading zone by Macy`s on a Saturday night. I parked 4 minuets to 6:pm. The loading stopped at 6pm on a Saturday night. Nix on eating in downtown..
pjc on January 31 at 3:18 p.m.
theisena - I have no problem with meters and I have no problem with parking tickets; however, I do have a problem with an unreasonable parking ticket fine. The article states that in 2004, the fine was $10 and in 2011 it may top $25.
Comparing Spokane with other NW cities might not be the best thing. Seattle has outrageous parking fees but that is Seattle. Spokane isn’t Seattle.
This sounds more like a revenue generator rather than a penalty. It is also a great way to chase people away from shopping downtown. You do that and then the big anchor stores (Macy’s or Nordstroms) will simply pull-out. Then what happens? A dead downtown. That isn’t good.
Unlike some on this comment thread, I regularly shop downtown; however, if I get stung by parking tickets then I will reconsider shopping downtown.
Loudin on January 31 at 4:06 p.m.
A struggling economy, downtown small businesses folding, strip-mall blight radiating up Division and out Sprague. So what do we do? We raise parking ticket fees!
Yeah, that will fix all our problems.
Seriously, if the city wants to generate revenue from fines, why not enforce current ordinances that are more lucrative? I know there is no dedicated metro-traffic division, but there are enough cops around here to do some serious code enforcement. I live across from an elementary school; many cars do not do the posted speed when children are in the area. And have you seen those tickets? That’s crazy revenue. Or how about enforcing semi-truck speed limits in the city? Division is like a death race when early-morning deliveries are being made. Heck, even a jaywalking ticket is more than a parking citation; the area around the intersection of Monroe and Northwest Blvd is a gold mine!
Alright, enough. Like the $20 car tab tax, this is going to happen whether we like it or not. Letting voters decide such issues is verboten…
mikeln on January 31 at 4:15 p.m.
How about diaganal parking, get more cars in less space. Stop rousting the marks, I mean customers, and tax the people that would benifit from the free parking, buisness. Require people that work downtown to use a parking garage, or take some other form of transportation to releive some of the crowding. After all, if you have a buisness downtown you can either give up a little to possibly gain a lot or just close up because of greed.
Cheezwhiz on January 31 at 5:46 p.m.
Why not make the fine $2,500? It would really help the City Deficit. Why stop at $25? The Downtown area is going to be a ghost town when they get through. The leases are already too high for a business to show a profit, so why not just get rid of those annoying customers? Downtown stinks like STA fumes anyway.
Blondscence on January 31 at 5:50 p.m.
Why, instead, not fire the council and mayor? I suppose that would let them know how we feel about their ridiculous taxes.
Everytime one turns around, the obvious thing is that they must monitored….so they don’t hurt the people who employ them. They would be fired if they did this in my office.
PlanB on January 31 at 5:59 p.m.
This is pathetic - all they have to do is increase the fine to ONE MILLION DOLLARS and then the budget problems will be solved! Can’t they get anything right?
JFRENCH on January 31 at 6:10 p.m.
Wow, that’s a lot of whining! Don’t overstay your parking spot, and the fine is irrelevant. Just like any city, you go downtown, you pay for parking. And as far is “improper parking” goes, don’t park like a moron and you won’t get a ticket…. I’ve lived in those neighborhoods and never had a problem….. Wow, obeying the law, what a novel concept…
SugarShane on January 31 at 8:03 p.m.
I understand the sentiment but honestly, how many of you do not own a cell phone that has an alarm? I got one parking ticket an that was enough, now each time I go I set my alarm and have ample warning that my parking is about to expire, no more tickets for me. Oh yeah and I rarely park before 7pm or any day but Sunday, when parking is free and there are actually places to park.
greenlibertarian on January 31 at 9:17 p.m.
I’ve parked hundreds of times in DT Spokane and major cities all over the west and got exactly 3 parking violations in all that time.
It ain’t that hard.
And as far as finding a parking spot goes, again, no problems. Unless you’re disabled, don’t obsess over finding the closest parking spot and going round and round. Find a spot that’s close enough, park, and exercise to get where you’re going by walking. Don’t be so damn lazy.