City leaders are working on changes to the city’s algebraic algorithm of a winter parking ordinance, which they say can be confusing and hard to enforce.
The ordinance helps street crews properly plow streets when it snows.
But it’s confusing for residents who have to alternate the side of the street they park on, depending on the month and the addresses on the streets.
So, for example, during an “even” numbered month — such as February, the second month — residents must park on the side of the street with even numbers. On an odd-numbered month, they must park on the odd-numbered side of the street.
The police department approached the Board of Aldermen to draft a new ordinance. The board’s ordinance subcommittee is reviewing a proposal to have cars park on one side all winter long.
Police Chief Kevin Hale suggested the city designate one side of each street for residents to park on during the entire winter — Dec. 1 through March 31 — to stop confusion and help with police enforcement.
“The problem with enforcement is that people are not moving when they have to switch or citizens and visitors are not aware they have to switch,” Hale said at a recent police commission meeting.
At least one police commissioner was concerned about the effect of the change.
Commissioner Dennis Phipps said Hale’s proposal might create “snow misers” who would shovel out their own spot.
“People will make their own ice igloos to make parking for themselves,” said Phipps.
When the proposal went before the full Board of Aldermen last month, there were other concerns — specifically that the new ordinance wouldn’t be any less confusing than the old one.
That’s because the rules would be based on odd and even years instead of months, but the winter season spans two calendar years. So an odd year, starting in December 2009, would contain even-yeared months, like January 2010.
“In January, people will say ‘Oh, it’s the even year. We’ve got to change,’” said Alderwoman Tara Kolakowski, according to minutes from the September Board of Aldermen meeting.
Hale said the system would still be easier under this proposal.
“Tickets go down by the end of the month,” Hale said, according to the minutes. “And the beginning of the month they flare up again because people forget to switch.”
