Title
ORDINANCE AMENDING CHAPTER 26 - TRAFFIC AND MOTOR VEHICLES (B)
ORDINANCE NO. 160834
An ordinance of the City of Gainesville, Florida, amending Chapter 26 of the Code of Ordinances relating to Parking, by amending Section 26-50 to provide an exception to the prohibition against backing up to a curb; amending Section 26-71 and Section 26-73 to provide for implementation of a remote pay system; amending Section 26-117 to authorize the city manager to take action regarding designation of controlled vehicular parking areas and allow affected parties to request a public hearing; providing directions to the codifier; providing a severability clause; providing a repealing clause; and providing an immediate effective date.
Explanation
At the City Commission Meeting of April 6, 2017, the City Attorney was directed to draft an ordinance amending Chapter 26, Traffic and Motor Vehicles relating to parking.
The Office of the City Attorney worked with City and CRA staff to address the following within this ordinance:
The Public Works Department is implementing a smartphone mobile pay (or remote pay) system at metered parking spaces in the City. The Community Redevelopment Agency is also implementing smartphone mobile pay at the on-street parking spaces in the NW 1st Avenue reconstruction project. This ordinance amends Section 26-71 and Section 26-73 to allow for this technology. The parking meters will still take coins at the meter but customers will also be able to pay via credit or debit card on the app. Replacing the individual parking meters with the ability to accept credit cards is currently not cost feasible. The app will make it possible to accept payment other than coins.
The City will be implementing back-in angled parking on the CRA South Main Street project and the Public Works Department's SW 6th Street project. This ordinance amends Section 26-50 to allow for back-in parking.
Current Section 26-117, "Criteria and Procedures for Establishing Controlled Vehicular Parking Areas" is a cumbersome process that requires approval of the City Commission for every change, regardless of the magnitude of the change. This ordinance delegates authority to the City Manager to designate, or remove the designation of, controlled vehicular parking areas.
This ordinance requires two hearings and shall become effective immediately upon adoption.
Fiscal Note
There is no fiscal impact associated with this item.
Recommendation
The City Commission adopt the proposed ordinance.