City of Powell River councillors have given first three readings to the city’s parking lot amendment bylaw that would increase parking rates and fines within the city.
At the September 12 city council meeting, manager of operational services Rod Fraser outlined the changes. He said as part of the 2024 budget process, council reviewed options to increase revenue. He said staff was directed to increase parking lot fees and penalties.
Fraser said currently, the parking fine is $15 if paid before seven days and $20 after. The proposal is to include doubling to $30 if paid early and extending the discount period to 14 days, after which the fine would be $60.
“By having a bigger incentive to pay early, the city would likely increase collections,” said Fraser.
He said the other piece of the amendment bylaw was parking fees. Parking fees are currently $5 a day and are below market rate, he added.
“We are the lowest in the region,” said Fraser.
The proposal, as outlined by Fraser, is to raise parking fees from $5 per day to $7.50 a day at Powell River Airport, north harbour marina, south harbour wharf and at Mowat Bay. He said it makes sense to add in the airport parking lot as well.
Fraser said moving forward, the additional revenue forecast per year is around $26,000.
Councillor Cindy Elliott said many families budget on a monthly basis and she was wondering if the discount period could be extended to 30 days.
Fraser said the 14-day discount period would match bylaws in neighbouring communities, Vancouver being one of them.
“Those fines would match what they do as well,” said Fraser.
Council and acting mayor Jim Palm asked about the prices being proposed and if they were comparable to other communities.
Fraser said the local daily parking rate has been proposed for $7.50. He said Campbell River’s fee is $8 and Comox is at $14 per day, with Nanaimo at $9 per day.
Council carried first reading. On second reading, Elliott asked if anyone else on council thought it was a good idea to extend the discount period on parking fines. Councillor Earl Almeida said he did not fully disagree with her thoughts, but he also feels, having been in businesses for many years that collecting money from people, the longer time period could lead to the fine being forgotten.
Councillor Trina Isakson said she was of both minds. She said the situation Elliott described was absolutely true, but there are also situations where people are on the go and forget to pay. She said she supports the bylaw as written.
Council carried second and third readings.
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