Explanation
1. BACKGROUND:
This ordinance will authorize an increase in parking violation fees based upon a survey and review of similar cities deemed comparable to the City of Columbus. This will be the first rate review and adjustment since January of 2002. There are 59 parking violations within the Traffic Code that will be adjusted. Based upon historical performance, Division of Transportation personnel estimate that these adjustments will result in an additional $952,000.00 in annual revenue.
2. FISCAL IMPACT:
Parking violation fines generated $5.48 million dollars for the General Fund in Fiscal Year 2007. There are 59 parking violations within the Traffic Code that will be adjusted by authority of this ordinance.
Title
To amend various sections of the Columbus City Codes, 1959, relating to parking violation fines for the Department of Public Service.
Body
WHEREAS, Ordinance No. 0080-2002, as passed by Columbus City Council on January 28, 2002, authorized the adjustment of parking infraction fines by amending the Traffic Code; and
WHEREAS, based upon a survey and analysis of comparable cities to the City of Columbus, Division of Transportation staff have determined it necessary and reasonable to update the parking infraction fines last adjusted in 2002; and
WHEREAS, it is incumbent upon the City to identify and adjust its service fees to ensure that they are reasonable and prudent to fund and preserve these essential services; and
WHEREAS, it is in the best interest of the City to increase said fines at the earliest practicable date; now, therefore,
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS:
Section 1. That effective January 1, 2009, Section 2150.10 of the Columbus City Codes, 1959, be and is hereby amended as those delineated herein. SEE ATTACHMENT
Section 2. That effective January 1, 2009, Section 2105.05 of the Columbus City Codes, 1959 be and is hereby amended to read as follows:
(C) If a person who is personally or constructively served with a parking ticket charging the commission of a parking infraction fails to timely answer the charge, as provided in Division (A) of this Section, the Parking Violations Bureau shall issue the proper notifications of infraction pursuant to Section 2150.06 of this Chapter, and proceed according to that Section. Failure to timely answer a charge may result in the imposition of an additional penalty of ten fifteen dollars ($10.00)($15.00).
Section 3. That effective January 1, 2009, Section 2150.06 of the Columbus City Codes, 1959, be and is hereby amended to read as follows:
(D) If a person who issued a notification of infraction fails to timely answer, as provided in Division (C) of this Section the failure to answer shall be considered an admission that the person committed the parking infraction, and a default civil judgement, in the amount of the fine, penalties , and costs due may be entered against the person. Failure to timely answer the parking infraction identified in the notification of infraction may result in the imposition of an additional penalty of fifteen twenty dollars ($15.00)($20.00)
Section 4. That this ordinance shall take effect and be in force from and after the earliest period allowed by law.