Free downtown parking comes at a cost

By JOHN MOORHOUSE Thursday, July 3, 2008 Penticton Herald
One hour of free parking will cost the City of Penticton up to $12,000 a year. City council has endorsed a plan to replace the existing ticket spitters in five downtown parking lots with more sophisticated models. Rental fees for the machines and two hand-held electronic “enforcement units” will add another $4,600 onto this year‘s budget and close to $12,000 annually in subsequent years. Council‘s decision follows a request by the Downtown Penticton Association to allow free parking in the city-owned lots. The DPA said local businesses experienced a dramatic drop in customer traffic since pay parking was introduced in the 200 and 500 block parking lots in February. Although the DPA had requested two hours of free parking, council last month agreed to provide one hour of free parking. Anyone parking for longer periods must pay a dollar an hour. Council voted 5-1 this week to replace the meters, rejecting two alternatives - retain the existing meters or introduce a “coupon” system whereby customers would be reimbursed their parking fee.

Coun. John Vassilaki was the only council member opposed to the switch, mainly due to the higher cost involved. “I think we are defeating the purpose,” he said. “We are trying to help the merchants downtown by giving them an extra free hour of parking, but on the other hand it‘s costing us $12,000 a year.” Vassilaki said he‘d prefer to see two hours of free parking. However, Coun. Rory McIvor said the one-hour limit is a good compromise. "I‘ve never been a believer in a free lunch,” he said. “But I think the one hour is a healthy compromise.” McIvor likened the $12,000 cost to a subsidy city taxpayers are giving downtown merchants. Mayor Jake Kimberley noted the new parking receipts will include space for possible merchant advertising. The hand-held monitors will also help decrease the amount of time the city‘s bylaw enforcement officers spend patrolling the lots.

Andrew Jakubeit, president of the Downtown Penticton Association, said afterwards the DPA still would like to see two-hour free parking during the week and all day Saturdays. However, he said the association backs the new high-tech ticket dispensers approved by council.“It is a little bit more convenient for the consumer,” he said. “This is a step in the right direction.”
He noted the new machines can take credit cards, people don‘t have to display their ticket in their car window and it‘s easier for the city to make changes for such possibilities as winter month discounts or senior rates. Jakubeit added the new system will provide more accurate figures on parking revenues for the city‘s budget considerations. The new parking meters should be in place within the next 30 days. No changes in curbside parking meters are planned. Paid parking will remain in effect Monday through Saturday.