Explanation
The following legislation seeks to amend Chapter 2155 of the Columbus City Codes, 1959, by revising Section 2155.01(h) and Section 2155.06(a) in order to comply with state statutes and regulations pertaining to the manner in which handicapped parking spaces are designated. Currently, the City Code does not conform to the requirements of Ohio Revised Code Sections 4511.69 (E) and 3781.111 (C). This code revision, along with the proper sign posting of the handicapped designated parking spaces, will enable the Columbus Division of Police and the Parking Violations Bureau to resume enforcement of these ordinances.
Title
To amend Chapter 2155 of the Columbus City Codes, 1959, by enacting revised sections 2155.01 (h) and 2155.06 (a) to enable the Columbus Division of Police and the Parking Violations Bureau to resume enforcement of handicapped designated parking space regulations; and to declare an emergency.
Body
Whereas, the City has been made aware that Section 2155.01(h) is inconsistent with Ohio Revised Code sections 4511.69 (E) and 3781 (C); and
Whereas, the City has determined that revisions to the City Code are necessary to be compliant with state law; and
Whereas, without these changes, the Columbus Division of Police and the Parking Violations Bureau will be unable to enforce the City Code provisions addressing handicapped parking spaces; and
Whereas, the lack of enforcement powers may result in a reduction in the City's ability to accommodate the parking needs of people with disabilities; and
Whereas, an emergency exists in the usual daily operation of the City of Columbus in that it is immediately necessary to make the aforementioned code changes so that the City may enforce its handicapped parking ordinances at the earliest possible date, thereby preserving the public health, peace, property, safety, and welfare; now, therefore,
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS:
Section 1. That revised Section 2155.01 (h) entitled "Definitions, Handicapped Designated Parking Space" shall be enacted and shall read as follows:
2155.01 (h) "Handicapped designated parking space" means parking spaces on public or private streets, parking lots and parking garages designated for the exclusive use of a handicapped designated vehicle and denoted as such in accordance with the requirements of the Ohio Revised Code Section 4511.69 (E), Ohio Revised Code Section 3781.111 (C), the Ohio Manual of Uniform Traffic Control Devices and the City of Columbus Transportation Division Sign Installation Manual.
Section 2. That revised Section 2155.06 (a) entitled "Illegal Parking" shall be enacted and shall read as follows:
2155.06 (a) All parking is prohibited in any individual street or off-street space where a parking meter is installed unless a deposit of the required coin or coins of United States money is made as provided in this chapter. Any vehicle parked in contravention of this section shall be deemed to be illegally parked under the provisions of this chapter. It shall be illegal for any vehicle other than a handicapped designated vehicle to park in a handicapped designated parking space. The fact that the vehicle is in an individual street or off-street parking space when the time on the parking meter for the same shows no parking permitted unless a deposit of the required coin or coins of United States money is immediately made as herein provided shall be deemed prima-facie evidence of the unlawful parking of such vehicle by its owner.
Section 3. That existing Sections 2155.01(h) and 2155.06(a) are hereby repealed.
Section 4. That for the reasons contained in the preamble herein which are made a part hereof, this ordinance is hereby declared to be an emergency measure and shall take effect and be in force from and after passage and approval by the Mayor, or ten days after passage if the Mayor neither vetoes nor approves the same.