Ithaca council extends metered parking to Saturdays; ordinance passes 9–1
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Summary
The Common Council adopted an ordinance on Jan. 7, 2026 to extend metered parking hours to Saturdays and update civil penalties for overtime meters. Council debated impacts on religious observance at Temple Bethel and concerns about employee costs; the measure passed 9–1 with Ald. Shapiro voting no.
The Ithaca Common Council voted 9–1 on Jan. 7, 2026 to adopt an ordinance that extends metered parking hours to include Saturdays and revises fines for meter overtime.
Sponsor Mr. DeFandini (reading legislative findings) said metered parking and user fees are needed to regulate parking and recover the cost of managing city parking. Several council members, including Alderson Kiel, said they received constituent input raising concern about rate increases and impacts on College Town and employee parking; Kiel said he has ideas to address employee parking but they are not yet finalized.
Acting City Manager Dominic told council staff had been in contact with Temple Bethel leadership to avoid unexpected enforcement during religious services and to identify alternate parking options in affected areas. Ald. Shapiro said he would vote no, citing timing and constituent concerns: “I...will just be voting no on that today.” (recorded roll call shows Shapiro as the lone no vote).
The mayor clarified that some parking-rate elements were previously adopted as part of the 2026 budget and that the ordinance under consideration specifically addresses Saturday hours and fines. The ordinance passed on roll-call 9–1; Fabrizio was absent.
Next steps: staff will coordinate with faith institutions and develop details for a downtown parking validation program and related outreach.