Explanation
This ordinance amends Columbus City Codes, 1959, to allow the operation of car-sharing services in the city of Columbus. With passage of Ordinance 2105-2013 on September 23, 2013, Columbus City Council approved a one-year pilot of car-sharing. The pilot was recommended by Columbus Transportation and Pedestrian Commission, and received support from many civic associations, business associations and area commissions in the area proposed for the pilot. The Department of Public Service has monitored the performance of the pilot and recommends Columbus City Code be amended to allow the Director of Public Service to promulgate rules and regulations and administer annual permits to allow car-sharing service.
Title
To enact new Sections 2101.58 and 2105.27 and amend Sections 2151.18 and 2155.05 of the Columbus City Codes to provide for the operation and regulation of car-sharing services by the Director of Public Service.
Body
WHEREAS, a goal of the city of Columbus is to increase mobility options for its residents; and
WHEREAS, to further the goal of increased mobility options for its residents, Columbus City Council passed Ordinance 2105-2013 on September 23, 2013, which authorized and directed the Director of Public Service to implement a 12-month Car-Sharing Pilot Program; and
WHEREAS, undertaking the Car-Sharing Pilot Program enabled the City to receive constructive feedback from stakeholders, city staff, and local residents in an effort to increase mobility options; and
WHEREAS, the Car-Sharing Pilot Program has received continued and substantial support from residents, civic associations, business associations and area commissions since its launch in October, 2013; and
WHEREAS, the City has been fully compensated for lost parking meter revenue and residential parking permits during the Car-Sharing Pilot Program; now, therefore
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS:
SECTION 1. That new Section 2101.58 of the Columbus City Codes is hereby is enacted as follows:
2101.58 Car-Sharing Organization (CSO)
"Car-Sharing Organization (CSO)" means either a not-for-profit or for-profit entity approved by the Director of Public Service to operate in the public right-of-way a fleet of vehicles to subscribers on a minute or hourly basis for a fee.
SECTION 2. That new Section 2105.27 of the Columbus City Codes is hereby enacted as follows:
2105.27 Car-Sharing
The Director of Public Service is empowered to promulgate rules and regulations for the operation of car-sharing within the city of Columbus, including car-sharing parking at public parking meters and within residential permit parking districts. Such rules and regulations shall establish procedures for the recovery of parking meter charges and permit fees, and shall be promulgated according to Section 121.05.
SECTION 3. That Section 2151.18 of the Columbus City Codes is hereby amended as follows:
2151.18 Parking in residential permit districts.
(a) No person shall park a vehicle beyond the posted time in a residential district authorized by the service director as a residential permit parking district area except vehicles displaying valid permits for that area, handicapped designated vehicles, non-residential commercial vehicles and delivery vehicles providing services to residents of that area, except as provided for in the rules and regulations promulgated pursuant to Section 2105.27.
(b) A violation of this section constitutes the commission of a parking infraction to be handled pursuant to and governed by the provisions of Chapter 2150.
SECTION 4. That Section 2155.05 of the Columbus City Codes is hereby amended as follows:
2155.05 Deposit of coin required; overtime parking.
(a) Whenever a vehicle shall be parked in an individual street or off-street parking space where a parking meter has been installed, during the days of the week and during the hours of the day for which the service director has established regulations as provided for in Section 2155.04, the person parking such vehicle shall immediately deposit or cause to be deposited the required coin or coins of United States money in such parking meter, except as provided for in the rules and regulations promulgated pursuant to Section 2105.27. Upon the deposit of such coin or coins, and the placing of such parking meter in operation, the parking space may be lawfully occupied by such vehicle during the period indicated on the meter. Any vehicle which remains in an individual street or off-street parking space after the prescribed time for parking is determined to be illegally parked and in violation of the provisions of this chapter. When a handicapped designated vehicle is parked in a handicapped designated space or any legal available parking space the vehicle shall be permitted to park two (2) hours beyond the legal limits on the meter or applicable parking space but not beyond the designated parking hours or other restricted hours that may apply.
(b) A violation of this section constitutes the commission of a parking infraction to be handled pursuant to and governed by the provisions of Chapter 2150.
SECTION 5. That existing Sections 2151.18 and 2155.05 of the Columbus City Codes are hereby repealed.
SECTION 6. That this ordinance shall take effect and be in force from and after the earliest period provided by law.