Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Parking topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Council approves updated parking ordinance after debate on back-in angle parking
Summary
On third reading the council passed Ordinance 15113 to update allowable on-street parking configurations and enforcement authority; staff said enforcement officers may ticket vehicles parked out of configuration, and council discussed but did not adopt an immediate ban on head-in angle parking.
The Marshalltown City Council on Nov. 24 gave final approval to Ordinance 15113, which amends the city code to address allowable street parking configurations and enforcement.
Heather Thomas of Public Works told the council the ordinance change "allows the ability for the parking enforcement officer and the housing and community development department as well as police officers... the ability to ticket if somebody is parked out of configuration as specified." The ordinance clarifies that parallel, 90-degree, angle and back-in angle parking configurations are addressed in the code and gives enforcement authority to specified officers.
Several council members and residents discussed the safety tradeoffs of head-in versus back-in angle parking. A driving instructor suggested shifting painted lines slightly up onto the curb to make back-in parking easier; resident Lonnie Hogland and others urged consideration of converting more blocks to back-in angle parking because studies cited by speakers indicate improved safety in some settings. Council member Thompson and staff noted downtown recommendations favor back-in parking but said a citywide conversion would require further study and separate code changes. A councilmember proposed an amendment to eliminate head-in angle parking but withdrew it after staff noted the schedules are located in a different chapter of the code.
After discussion and public comment the council adopted Ordinance 15113 on third reading by roll call.
