Councilors reviewed on Jan. 14 a proposed ordinance (first reading) to update Chapter 14 (Motor Vehicles and Traffic) that would increase parking fines and change several parking-related provisions.

Corey McKnight, presenting the item for staff and the Parking Authority Board, said the ordinance would bring long-unchanged fines into modern ranges and would target public-safety-related violations. "We are wanting to increase the fine for parking in a handicap space to a maximum of $500," McKnight said. The staff discussion noted stepped increases for unpaid meter citations (examples presented: base meter fine proposed to rise from $10 to $20; delinquent penalties increase on structured schedule; second violation within eight hours would also rise). McKnight said staff highlighted violations the police no longer issue citations for and proposed removing those obsolete items from the code.

Councilors asked for clarifications about language and implementation. Councilor Herbstree supported a higher penalty for blocking handicap spaces to change behavior, noting the state and city allow vehicles with disability placards to park at metered spaces for up to four hours for free. Staff said the ordinance would remain a first reading and that changes to citation text and software would be required before an effective date. Mayor Beach and staff also discussed public-notice needs; staff said the ordinance would take effect July 1 if adopted, giving time to update systems and notice the public.

Staff described enforcement practice using handheld devices to photograph a vehicle's valve stem location when marking time—an electronic replacement for the old "chalk the tire" method—and said follow-up photos are taken to determine whether a vehicle has exceeded time limits.

The ordinance was presented for first reading and no adoption vote was taken on Jan. 14. Councilors asked staff to present final language and public-notice plans at a future meeting.