City of Klamath Falls gouging low-income city residents for parking permits.

Klamath Falls gouging low-income city residents for parking permits

KLAMATH FALLS, OR— EDITORAL: City of Klamath Falls want to establishing a downtown residential parking fee

City to hold hearing on downtown residential parking fees By SEAN BASSINGER H&N Staff

"City officials expect that parking shortages would only increase over time as more residents move into the downtown area. The city also expects that an annual fee of $300 could increase the downtown parking district fund, which currently has expenses that exceed $20,000."

The Downtown Parking District has operated with a part-time employee, full-time employee, and reserved parking permits; however, no residential permit has been established. Establishing a downtown residential parking permit is a stated goal of the Downtown Parking Fund. On November 14, 2018, the Downtown Parking Committee unanimously recommended establishing a downtown residential parking permit with an annual fee of $300. Allow parking fees to be amended pursuant to Section 1.075.

Currently, fees are changed by City Council after a public hearing. The fees for parking have not kept up with the cost of providing parking. We have only raised the fees a few times since they were introduced. Rates were last increased in 2004. If fees for fulltime employee had kept up with inflation they would be more than $85 per year and not $65. Utilizing section 1.075 would allow the fees to be adjusted more regularly. Under that process, Council would still have the ability to bring the fees to Council for hearing if desired. Imposing Downtown Parking Permit Fees by the calendar year (7.145)

                        

AGENDA FOR COUNCIL MEETING Monday, December 17, 2018

                        

Agenda Item Details

                        

Proposed Ordinence

$10.00 would be reasonable, but $25.00 per month. $120.00 compared to some low income would take away their latest increase from Social Security.

And at $25.00 per month would wipe it out all in one month in fees. So where does the city think the other $275.00 is going to come from? If that is the case then Klamath Housing Authority or HUD would need to raise their portion and food stamps would need to offset the greedy city of Klamath Falls, OR.

And who pays for the city employee fees, does the city get their parking permits for free to issue to the city employees or do they pay their fair share or portion of the fees?

And why is there such a difference in the fee schedule, city employees vs. city residents?

Annual fee of $300 for downtown city residents vs. $65 for city employees?

I don't have a car, I have to use the city bus or pay for a taxi, so it does not matter to me and I don't have a dog in the fight.

Except this is not right IMO.

Maybe the City of Klamath Falls needs to answer these questions at Monday nights' city coouncil meeting.

James Garland of Tulelake News
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