In the first year of the revived program for parking enforcement
in the downtown area, revenue has exceeded expectations while costs
should be more than covered.
In the first year of the revived program for parking enforcement in the downtown area, revenue has exceeded expectations while costs should be more than covered.
Police Chief Jeff Miller gave a report to Hollister City Council members at their Monday meeting and noted how the program had been netting – after costs are considered – about $5,500 to $6,500 per quarter. That included handing out about 100 tickets per month for violations ranging from overtime parking to illegally using spaces for disabled drivers.
The figures should put to rest any concerns about gaining enough revenue to keep the program sustainable, and a downtown business group leader also believes the revived enforcement has served the primary purpose of improving circulation of vehicles in the shopping district.
“I think it’s been very successful,” said Brenda Weatherly, executive director of the Hollister Downtown Association. “There was initial adjustment. You look down the street and you see available parking where it needs to be.
“I think it’s been a really good thing.”
The police department in October, under the city council’s direction, started parking enforcement downtown after six years without it. The HDA and some downtown businesses had pushed for the revival due to concerns about lacking availability of parking, especially due to employees using many of the spaces.
Council members before it started also agreed to raise the ticket fines from the prior numbers. Most of the citations increased by $15, while the most common type of violation – overtime parking – went from $20 to $35. Others, such as parking in a handicap spot, rose more significantly.
See the full story in the Pinnacle.
