There aren’t a lot of people who get parking tickets in the city of Jefferson, but by mid-January those who do get tickets will be paying more.
The Jefferson city council at its Nov. 26 meeting approved the first reading of an ordinance increasing parking fines.
Snow parking violations are among the fines increasing. The fine is currently $25 with $8 court costs; the fine will increase to $50.
The snow parking ordinance makes it a violation to park on any city street, alley, or city-owned off-street parking from the time there has been an accumulation of one-half inch of snow until it has been removed or plowed. The ordinance was changed last year so that it applies only between 6 pm and 6 am. In the central business district the ordinance applies only between the hours of 2 and 6 am.* According to Jefferson police chief Dave Morlan, only four snow parking violations were issued last winter, compared to more than 100 each winter before the ordinance was changed.
A non-specific parking violation will increase from $10 to $25. Parking violations of RVs and trailers will increase from $10 to $75.
Morlan told the council that a $10 fine doesn’t seem to be enough to deter parking violations. He said that in the case of RV/trailer violations, owners are given two written warnings before they receive a citation. To date in 2013, 11 letters have been sent. Thirteen were sent in 2012.
Council member Bill Figenshaw asked Morlan if it is necessary to raise the fines so much. “If we were going out and writing tickets on the first offense, then maybe a lesser amount,” Morlan answered. “We’re investing enough time giving people the opportunity…to comply. We give them two warnings. If they still aren’t going to comply, $10, they just look at it and say ‘Well, OK.’ That’s why we’re asking for something a little bit higher.”
Council member Shannon Black agreed with the higher rate. “Raising it from $10 to $75 really isn’t kicking them too hard because you’ve been kind enough to offer them opportunities to take care of it,” Black said.
Morlan said it has been only a few places in town where there are habitual, regular offenders. “Writing a $10 ticket isn’t doing any good,” Morlan said.
“If people follow proper parking procedures, they don’t have to worry about a fine. It doesn’t cost them anything to park correctly,” council member Lisa Jaskey said.
Morlan explained that parking fines are payable at city hall. If they aren’t paid within 30 days the fine increases $5 and a uniform citation will be issued and filed at the clerk of court’s office at the courthouse. At that time, an additional $8 court cost will be added. For example, a snow parking violation would increase from a total due of $58 to a total due of $71. Now, snow parking violations go immediately to the clerk of court.
The $100 fine for violating handicap parking regulations will not change as it is part of the Code of Iowa.
The amended ordinance will be scheduled for a second reading at the Dec. 10 council meeting. Because of the Christmas holiday, there will not be a second council meeting in December. City clerk Diane Kennedy said a third reading would be done in January, with publication of the ordinance required before it would be effective.
*The ordinance defines the area for enforcement only between 2 and 6 am as follows: Washington St from Elm to Chestnut; State St from Elm to Locust; Lincoln Way from Elm to the Raccoon River Valley Trail (bike trail) crossing near the Milwaukee depot; Harrison St from Elm to the alley between Chestnut and Locust; Vine St from Washington to Madison; Chestnut St from Washington to Monroe; Wilson from Washington to Monroe; and Locust St from State to Lincoln Way.
