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Council fast-tracks ordinance to enforce EV charger parking after non-EVs block stations
Summary
Staff asked council to waive readings and adopt an ordinance imposing a $50 fine for non‑EV vehicles occupying public EV charging stalls; council gave informal consensus to move forward but debated whether the fine should start higher.
Staff presented a proposed ordinance to add enforceable parking restrictions for the city's two newly operational EV chargers (library and 8th Avenue parking lot) and recommended waiving the usual separate readings to adopt the ordinance on Thursday. The ordinance would add a $50 fine for non‑EV vehicles parked in EV charging stalls and permit enforcement once signs are installed.
"What this ordinance does is it adds a $50 fine for those that are non EV parking and the EV charging," Mike Barkolo told council, and staff said signs would be ordered and installed next week so enforcement could begin after adoption. Council discussed whether $50 was an adequate deterrent; one member suggested raising the amount and the idea of towing repeat offenders was raised as an enforcement option.
Staff also explained the chargers were donated by Alliance and recently became operational; members discussed giving a short grace/warning period upon public notice. Council reached consensus to proceed with waiving readings and placing all three readings on Thursday's agenda so the police department could enforce the restriction once the ordinance is ratified.
Council directed staff to finalize ordinances and signage and to consider revising fine amounts as part of a broader review of parking fines and enforcement that the police department is undertaking this year.
