Open forum: Are West Covina parking permits a good idea?
Open forum: Are parking permits in West Covina a good idea?
The city is still looking into the price of parking permits, as well as the cost of the citations. At the city council meeting two weeks ago, there was an even number of people who spoke in favor and against having the parking permits. The council unanimously passed it.
New ordinance will require residents to get overnight parking permit
By Jennifer McLain, Staff Writer
Article Launched: 10/17/2008 11:41:15 PM PDT
WEST COVINA - Starting next year, drivers who leave their cars parked on city streets could get a ticket.
The West Covina City Council has unanimously approved a parking plan that requires drivers to get an overnight permit if they want to park on city streets between 2 and 6 a.m.
"We think it will be beneficial to public safety, and will improve the quality of life and aesthetics," said Shannon Yauchzee, public works director.
The restrictions will apply to all West Covina streets. The ordinance is expected to be finalized at the Nov. 4 council meeting, where the council will also host a public hearing to discuss the proposed parking permit costs and fees.
West Covina is still preparing a cost analysis and has not decided on permit fees or parking violation costs.
In La Verne, a yearly parking permit is $50, and a temporary permit runs $3 a night. Tickets in other cities range from $40 to $100.
Yes.
No.
Absloutely not. Its a way to make money. I feel sorry for the people who live in apartments. this is a tax by way of a fee by another name. people can shoot my car windows out on my driveway just as easy as they have on the street. how are they going to enforce this? we have parking enforcement officers, who are not sworn officers. Are they going to enforce it? I hope to God not. Are the police going to do it in teh middle of the night? I can't see that happening either. But you know, now that crime has decreased 20% I guess they will have the time.
We, as West Covina, are experiencing difficult and uncertain economic times. It is not just us but the entire country. I understand the rational of ways to bridge the economic shortfall that currently exist and will continue to increase in the near future. Our City leadership has done well when compared to other cities but I also believe they should have done more.
I believe that this is just another way to raise funds at our expense. Most of us business people know that in order to succeed in economic hard times, we need to tighten out belts and provide the best possible service within a smaller margin of profit. We also understand that we must save money for rainy days like today. Most City folk do not understand this philosophy as they focus on providing services (if it means votes) and when times are tuff, they find other ways to raise funds at our expense. Unions continue to ask for increases whether they are police, fire, teachers or service providers knowing the city needs to increase revenue at any cost. Our current leadership (City Council) leaves a lot to be desire as a whole since it seems their objective is to make themselves seem they are concern when in reality they are working for their egos and pocket books. Sure they say the right things but only because we allow them….
Our City Staff are professional good people that in my opinion are the foundation of our city and knowing them, I know they feel for our citizens when such decisions are made. Until we as citizens take time to actually review and get involved in our voting obligations is when we may see a change that would benefit us and our business community than a few politicians and there selected friends.
When the politicians need money they impose a fee, or another word is a tax on the residents. The Council put the City in debt and they want the residents, in these hard economic times, to help get them out of it!
i agree hopefully all of my neighbors cars that they hardly use will be out. park your trash in your garages.
We all know all cities are starving for money due to the wages out of control and i would recommend that that West Covina citizens due their home work, because according to propositon 218 from Sacramento, this so called parking fees or permits can be done by cities but they are allowed to recover cost only and no profits.
Anonymus; If you research prop 218 it is created for cities not to be able to implement 1)taxes 2)property related fees 3) assesments without voter approval.
It is clear that a parking permit is not one of the above. I read that the Parking permits fees have not been set yet but they are estimating the fees generated will off set the cost of the program.. break even.
To me, it's not about revenue, it's about respect.
People that clutter up the streets with broken down, grease dripping cars, people with so much junk they will never use in their garages and cannot park a car in it and take up all the street parking that other neighbors might want to use once in a while.... People renting out rooms illegaly and apartment owners that are not providing proper parking for their renters - well those are the real problems....
"people renting out rooms illegaly and apartment owneres that are not providing proper parking for their renters- well those are the real problems...."
huh? if someone is operating illegaly then why isn't the city doing something about it? - the answer is to burden the entire city with something that is already illegal?
How can apartment owners no provide "proper" parking - if the property is a legal rental and doesn't have enough parking, isn't that the city's fault for allowing a poor design? What is the owner supposed to do, if no space exists?
I think the reference to Prop 218 is trying to imply that the proposed fee is related to the incident of property ownership...I just don't think that will fly from a legal standpoint. Certainly not everyone parking a car owns a property or is forced to pay for parking as a result of owning a property.
Whatever system the city implements, it should take into account unique cases or hardship circumstances. If a legal property simply does not have enough parking, then free yearly passes should be offered.