Board backs tougher parking-collection steps and proposes one‑month reprieve for past‑due fines

The Downtown Management Board recommended that city council adopt updated parking enforcement and collection procedures that include letters after five outstanding citations, immobilization (booting) or towing for large past‑due balances, and a proposed one‑month payment‑reprieve period allowing people to pay only the original ticket amounts without late fees.

Downtown manager Amy Tweeden presented a nine‑step procedure aimed at resolving a backlog of unpaid citations. She said parking services would issue civil infraction citations per the fee schedule, send a letter after five outstanding citations or when a balance exceeds $100, and notify drivers that vehicles may be immobilized or towed if they do not contact the office. If a balance exceeds $250 and payment is not made within 72 hours of immobilization, Tweeden said the vehicle may be towed and the tow company will collect a $250 cash payment on behalf of parking services; owners remain responsible for towing or immobilization fees.

To address long-standing unpaid balances, Tweeden proposed a one‑month payment‑reprieve or amnesty during which eligible people could pay only the original ticket amounts and have accumulated late fees removed. She acknowledged the program may have low take‑up but described it as a reasonable way to clear the backlog before starting stricter collection steps.

Board members praised the thoroughness of the proposed procedure and discussed enforcement practicality and public education. Joe moved that the board recommend the updated fine‑collection procedure, the payment reprieve, and an updated ordinance authorizing towing and immobilization; the board approved the recommendation on a roll call.