Council expected to OK policy that would allow police to issue
$30 tickets to anyone who parks longer than two hours downtown
Gilroy – Downtown residents and workers have one last chance to speak out before city council moves forward with tougher parking enforcement, a move intended to keep spaces available for customers during a year of major construction.
On Monday night, council is expected to sign off on the policy that would allow police to issue $30 tickets to anyone who parks longer than two hours in the downtown core. Officials do not expect to make accommodations for residents and employees, who will have to park farther away or move their cars every few hours to avoid fines.
The list of people the new policy will affect includes workers at the Gilroy Chamber of Commerce, the Garlic Festival Association and construction crews working on projects throughout the area.
Ben Cursi, who lives and works in the downtown area, said the city should make some accommodation for employees and residents.
“We got to think common sense,” he said. “This is the most asinine thing I’ve ever heard.”
City Administrator Jay Baksa said officials would only consider recommendations such as residential parking permits or long-term use of lots by employees at the request of downtown business owners.
“The problem is, if you start making exceptions, then all of a sudden the exceptions become the rule,” he said.
Starting in April, police will begin ticketing anyone who parks more than two hours on the blocks immediately north or south of construction along Monterey Street, as well as along both sides of Eigleberry Street between Sixth and Fourth streets. Police also will enforce two-hour parking limits in the lots off Eigleberry Street. The restrictions apply between 7am and 6pm, Monday through Saturday.
In coming weeks, police will hand out flyers to business owners, stick notices on car windows and run newspaper advertisements as part of a campaign to raise awareness before enforcement begins.
It has been more than a decade since the city enforced any of the parking limits in the downtown core. And for years, downtown business owners have complained about a lack of parking in front of their stores. Now, officials are getting serious about parking enforcement as they prepare to lose 83 spaces as part of year-long overhaul of two blocks along Monterey Street. At the end of the project, the street will have gained an additional 17 spaces.
Parking enforcement will last until the October completion date of the Monterey Streetscape project. Police will use chalk markers to aid in the ticketing process during that time, but long-term plans could involve parking meters or meter maids, according to City Transportation Engineer Don Dey. He said the city will conduct a parking management plan for the downtown that will encompass everything from enforcement procedures to the types of restrictions.
Meeting
– What: Council vote to enforce 2-hour downtown parking
– When: Monday at 7pm
– Where: Council Chambers, City Hall, 7351 Rosanna St.
