Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Parking Policy topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Wheeling adopts parking-meter overhaul, bars “feeding” expired meters to prioritize turnover
Summary
On March 4 the Wheeling City Council adopted an ordinance amending Article 3-63 of the city traffic code to allow removal of some meters, create regulated parking spaces, and prohibit refeeding expired meters; enforcement and tech (ParkMobile) limitations were discussed.
Wheeling City Council on March 4 adopted an ordinance amending and reenacting Article 3-63 of the city traffic code to provide for removal of some parking meters, designate regulated parking spaces, and set enforcement rules.
Council members and City Manager Herron discussed how the change would work in areas where meters remain, including Center Market, and how the city will enforce time limits to preserve turnover in commercial districts. City Manager Herron said enforcement officers will still inspect parked cars and may “chock tires” to prevent repeat feeding, and that electronic systems like ParkMobile will not allow a user to re-up an expired session: “Once the meter expires and that's one of the things about ParkMobile is it won't let you re up the meter once you pay for it,” Herron said. Herron added, “You're not permitted to feed the meter, and our parking enforcement personnel try to monitor that.”
Councilors raised practical questions about short-term spaces and residential meters. A councilor asked whether drivers could simply return to a car and add more time; Herron reiterated that feeding expired meters is prohibited and that enforcement staff will continue on-foot checks in metered zones. Herron also said revenue from meters has declined roughly "50% maybe, a little little more than that," and that ParkMobile revenue would be recorded in the same general-fund line as traditional meter takings.
The ordinance passed after a motion to adopt; the motion was seconded and the council recorded the vote as approved.
Why it matters: Council members said the changes aim to protect turnover in downtown business districts where long-term parking by employees has limited customer access. The ordinance allows selective removal of on-street meters and establishes regulated parking spaces in their place, while preserving enforcement tools where meters remain.
What happens next: The ordinance takes effect as adopted by council; enforcement practices and any needed technology integrations (for example, using an electronic system to log chalked tires) will be researched and implemented by city staff.
