Carta outlines booting, amnesty and consumer protections in proposed Chattanooga parking ordinance

Charles Frasier, CEO of Carta (doing business as the Chattanooga Parking Authority), told the City Council on March 24 that the Consumer Protection and Parking Compliance Ordinance under consideration aims to balance enforcement of chronic parking violators with consumer protections.

Frasier said Carta manages roughly 7,000 public parking spaces while private operators manage about 14,000, and that Carta’s records show “over 64,000 outstanding citations” representing “$4.1 million in fines.” He said the ordinance would create a licensing system for private operators, require self‑releasing immobilizers, and set baseline consumer protections including a 24/7 customer support line and clearly posted signage.

Frasier outlined numeric proposals that would be set in the licensing rules: licensed operators would need a $250,000 bond; the draft caps include a maximum hourly private rate of 150% of the assigned on‑street rate (the presentation used $2 on‑street → $3 private), a daily cap of $18, a maximum ticket amount of $25 and a cap on delinquency escalation fees (example cited: $20). He said the Carta board would finalize licensing details and that no enforcement would occur until a 120‑day amnesty period (if council approves in April), with enforcement planned to begin in October.

Council members pressed Frasier on safeguards. Councilman Elliot asked whether private operators are “grandfathered” into the enforcement program; Frasier answered no — operators must be licensed to use immobilization. Several council members sought assurances about appeals and monitoring; Frasier said an appeal process is included in the ordinance and that Carta will provide quarterly complaint reports to council and may suspend or revoke licenses for cause.

Frasier and councillors also discussed how immobilizers would be handled in practice. Frasier described the devices as lightweight boots that provide a code to self‑release after payment or a verified payment plan; he said the ordinance threshold for booting is three outstanding citations past 60 days with no appeal, and that private operators would use licensed vendor employees to place boots on vehicles in private lots.

Council members raised recurring concerns: avoiding predatory practices, preventing enforcement from becoming a revenue stream, protecting residents with hardship, and ensuring timely public notice during the amnesty. Frasier said Carta plans outreach during the amnesty period, will work with the Chattanooga Area Food Bank on a food‑donation credit to reduce fines, and will finalize hardship rules and payment plans before enforcement begins.

What’s next: Frasier asked council to consider the ordinance for second reading in April; he said Carta’s board would adopt licensing rules in May and run amnesty (June–September) if the ordinance is approved. The proposal drew support for consumer‑protection elements and requests from council for clearer written language on appeals, towing rules and mitigation for low‑income residents.

Quotes used in this article come from the March 24 council presentation and Q&A, attributed to Charles Frasier and named council members.