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ITEM # C v
DATE December'g8. 1999
COUNCIL ACTION FORM
SUBJECT: HANDICAPPED EMPLOYEE PARKING PERMITS AT
METERED SPACE
BACKGROUND:
On several occasions, it has come to the attention of City staff in various departments that
there are times when individuals with physical handicaps who work in our two main
business districts require longer-term parking options than are allowed in our metered
spaces. These individuals, who are either temporarily or permanently disabled and in need
of parking in a space all day, cannot locate a convenient space because there is a two-
hour limit on handicap spaces. Due to either work requirements or physical condition, the
individuals are unable to continually put money in the regular parking meters.
In order to address this issue, the staff has identified a creative system that is worthy of the
City Council's consideration. This new program would allow a handicapped employee of
a Main Street or Campustown business the ability to purchase a booklet of"permits" to use
at a metered parking space. The permit is for a whole day only, and can only be
purchased by individuals who qualify for a state handicap parking tag or license plate, and
are employed in either of these two districts. The cost for a book of ten will be $30 (or $3
per day), which is the average cost of 10 days of parking for an entire day in Campustown
or in the Main Street District.
Staff feels this program will meet a need which arises occasionally in both business
districts of Campustown and Main Street. This plan allows for the all-day parking needs
of handicapped individuals employed in the commercial areas to be met, and yet preserves
the official handicap spaces for short-term customer parking. The City would publicize this
program and make the permits available for purchase in City Hall. Both the Ames Main
Street District and the Campustown Action Association have been informed of this proposal
and have indicated no objections.
ALTERNATIVES:
1. The City Council may approve of this concept to address the unique needs of
handicapped employees in the business districts and refer the matter to the City
Attorney to draft an ordinance reflecting the concepts of this new program.
2. The City Council can decide that this issue has not reached a level which warrants a
change in our current parking policy. There could be a fear that the allowance of long-
term parking in metered spaces will be detrimental to our overall parking system.
Hence, no action should be taken at this time.
MANAGER'S RECOMMENDED ACTION:
Given the feedback that has been received about this issue, staff believes this concept is
worth pursuing. Therefore, it is the recommendation of the City Manager that the City
Council adopt Alternative #1. This concept of parking permits at metered spaces for
handicapped employees in the Main Street and Campustown Districts will be referred to
the City Attorney to draft the necessary ordinance.
COUNCIL ACTION:
RESOLUTION NO.
RESOLUTION APPROVING PROCEDURES FOR
HANDICAPPED EMPLOYEE PARKING PERMITS
AT METERED SPACES IN THE MAIN STREET
AND CAMPUSTOWN BUSINESS DISTRICTS
FOR THE CITY OF AMES, IOWA
WHEREAS, there are times when individuals with physical handicaps who work in the Main
Street or Campustown Business Districts require longer-term parking options than are allowed in our
metered spaces; and,
WHEREAS, these individuals, who are either temporarily or permanently disabled and in need
of parking in a space all day, cannot locate a convenient space because there is a two-hour limit on
handicapped spaces; and,
WHEREAS, in order to address this need, staff has identified a program to allow a
handicapped employee of a Main Street or Campustown business the opportunity to purchase a
booklet of"permits" to use at a metered parking space; and,
WHEREAS, staff has recommended that the following procedures be followed:
I. Handicapped Employee Parking Permits will be available for those employees of Main
Street District or Campustown District businesses who are temporarily or
permanently disabled and in need of long-term parking in a metered space.
2. The person must qualify for a state of Iowa handicapped parking tag or license plate.
3. A book of ten permits at a cost of$30 will be available for purchase at the City of
Ames Public Works Department.
4. Individual permits are valid for one day only and must have the date and meter
number written in permanent ink. The permits are valid only for the person to whom
they are issued.
5. The permit must be displayed from the vehicle dashboard in the plastic sleeve
provided, and it must be visible to Parking System Officers.
6. A new permit must be used if the vehicle is moved during the day to another meter.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Ames, Iowa,
that the procedures for handicapped employee parking permits at metered spaces in the Main Street
and Campustown Business Districts as above-listed are hereby approved.
ADOPTED THIS 25th day of January, 2000.
ORDINANCE NO.
AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND THE MUNICIPAL CODE OF THE CITY OF
AMES, IOWA, BY AMENDING SECTION 18.4, PARKING METER MAP;
EFFECTIVE HOURS FOR METERS, TO ADD AN EXCEPTION WHICH
WOULD ALLOW METERED SPACE HANDICAPPED PARKING PERMITS
FOR PARKING AT METERS IN EXCESS OF THE MAXIMUM TIME;
REPEALING ANY AND ALL ORDINANCES OR PARTS OF ORDINANCES
IN CONFLICT TO THE EXTENT OF SUCH CONFLICT; PROVIDING A
PENALTY;AND ESTABLISHING AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
BE IT ENACTED,by the City Council for the City of Ames,Iowa,that:
Section One. The Municipal Code of the City of Ames, Iowa shall be and the same is hereby amended by
adding a new subsection(4)as follows:
"Sec.18.4 PARKING METER MAP;EFFECTIVE HOURS FOR METERS
(1) There is hereby adopted the official parking meter map designating those parking
spaces on streets and municipal parking lots controlled by parking meters and parking stations which,
together with all its designations and explanatory matter thereon, is by this reference incorporated
herein and made a part hereof as if fully set out. The official parking meter map is identified by the
signature of the mayor attested by the city clerk and shall bear the seal of the city and the dates of
enactment by the city council and shall be signed and sealed by the mayor. Regardless of the
existence of purported copies of the official parking meter map, which may from time to time be
made or published,the official parking meter map,which shall be filed and retained in the office and
custody of the city clerk,shall be the final authority as to the status of parking meters in the city. This
map may be changed or replaced only by duly enacted resolution or ordinance of the city council.
(2) The maximum time a vehicle may be parked in a metered parking space will be
designated on the official parking meter map and on the appropriate parking meter.
(3) The hours where parking in metered parking space is controlled by the parking
meter shall be stated on said meter and are as follows:
a) In the east parking district from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. on Mondays
through Saturdays except on city holidays or as otherwise provided.
b) In the west parking district from 8:00 a.m.until 6:00 p.m.Monday through
Saturday,except on city holidays or as otherwise provided. Also for the meters on the west side of
Stanton Avenue in the 100 block from 9:00 a.m.until 9:00 p.m.,Monday through Saturday.
(4) Persons properly displaying a valid city issued permit to allow handicapped persons
to park at metered spaces shall be allowed to park at metered spaces during the hours indicated at(3),
above, without regard to the maximum time limitation indicated on the official parking meter map
or on the meter."
Section Two. Violation of the provisions of this ordinance shall constitute a simple misdemeanor punishable
as set out in Section 18.7 of the Municipal Code.
Section Three. All ordinances or parts of ordinances in conflict herewith are hereby repealed to the extent of
such conflict,if any.
Section Four. This ordinance shall be in full force and effect from and after its passage and publication as
required by law.
Passed this day of
Diane R.Voss,City Clerk Ted Tedesco,Mayor
0555