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TO: Mayor Thomas J. Weisner
FROM: Charles Koch, Assistant Director of Finance
DATE: August 6, 2015
SUBJECT:
An ordinance amending Chapter 27 of the Aurora Code of Ordinances regarding parking enforcement issues.
PURPOSE:
To amend parking ordinance to provide for a new payment method and the issuance of a warning ticket for parking violators at the city's commuter train stations.
BACKGROUND:
New payment machines are being installed at both train stations that will require the car license plate number to be used to identify a commuter's payment. We currently log into the payment system and pull a paid report and then walk or drive around the lot looking for the unpaid cars to issue hand written tickets which are $25.00 for no daily fee and $50.00 for no permit.
DISCUSSION:
At the Route 25 Transit Center, two different payment systems have been used. The main lot has used a pay-and-display system while the Lincoln Avenue lot used a pay-by-space system. However, a commuter could not pay in the main lot for the Lincoln Avenue lot or vice versa. New pay machines will use a common identifier which will allow for payments at any machine regardless of which part of the lot a commuter is parked.
At the Route 59 Transit Center, a revamping of the lot will remove the space numbers so pay-by-plate will be needed there. Pay-by-plate also allows us to use the license plate recognition equipment in the lot and eliminate the need to walk through the lot to do enforcement.
We also are adding a first-time warning ticket for people who park in the permit section of the train stations without a monthly permit. Currently, a ticket is written for all offenses. Oftentimes new daily commuters do not understand the parking process. Some inadvertently park in the permit area and are issued a $50.00 ticket. The issuance of warning tickets will allow new commuters time to learn the parking process at their chosen lot before they pay a financial penalty for a parking violation.
IMPACT STATEMENT:
There is a potential conflict with the current ordinance when doing enforcement if these changes are not done. Enforcement could be invalid.
RECOMMENDATIONS:
I request the proposed changes to Chapter 27 of the Aurora Code of Ordinances be enacted.
cc: Alderman Hart-Burns, Chairman
Alderman Bugg
Alderman Franco
Alderman Mervine, Alternate
CITY OF AURORA, ILLINOIS
ORDINANCE NO. _________
DATE OF PASSAGE ________________
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An Ordinance Amending Chapter 27 of the Aurora Code of Ordinances Regarding Parking Enforcement Issues.
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WHEREAS, the City of Aurora has a population of more than 25,000 persons and is, therefore, a home rule unit under subsection (a) of Section 6 of Article VII of the Illinois Constitution of 1970; and
WHEREAS, subject to said Section, a home rule unit may exercise any power and perform any function pertaining to its government and affairs for the protection of the public health, safety, morals, and welfare; and
WHEREAS, it is desirable to amend Sections 27-103, 27-109 and 27-229 to provide for certain changes in the system of parking enforcement.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED by the City Council of the City of Aurora, Illinois, as follows:
Section One: That Chapter 27, Article V, Division 4, Section 27-229 entitled “Parking at the Aurora Railroad Transportation Centers” of the Aurora Code of Ordinances be and is hereby amended to read as follows:
Sec. 27-229. Parking at the Aurora Railroad Transportation Centers.
(a) No person shall be allowed to park a vehicle at the Aurora Railroad Transportation Centers without first purchasing a numbered daily fee space corresponding to the exact numbered location at which the vehicle is parked, or in the alternative where available, entering the license plate number of the parked vehicle, or without displaying a daily, monthly or quarterly parking pass.
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(e) Notwithstanding subsection (d) above, a first citation issued for no valid permit shall be a warning, a citation issued after the warning for no valid permit at the transportation centers shall carry a fine in an amount determined pursuant to section 27-8 titled Fees, fines and penalties.
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Section Two: That Chapter 27, Article II, Division 6, Section 27-109 entitled “Schedule of fines/penalties” of the Aurora Code of Ordinances be and is hereby amended to read as follows:
Sec. 27-109. Schedule of fines/penalties.
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(e) No person shall park in parking facilities where spaces are numbered, including parking facilities referenced in section 27-229 of this chapter, without first entering their license plate number, if payment via license plate number is available, or the space number their vehicle occupies into the daily fee vending machine and paying the appropriate fee.
Section Three: That Chapter 27, Article II, Division 6, Section 27-103 entitled “Violation notice procedure” of the Aurora Code of Ordinance be and hereby is amended to read as follows:
Sec. 27-2103. Violation notice procedure.
The system of administrative adjudication of vehicular standing, parking and compliance violations shall be commenced in accordance with the following procedures; and final determinations of violation liability, notice of impending drivers license suspension, and collections shall be made only in accordance with this division.
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(d) The violation notice shall contain, but shall not be limited to, the following information:
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(5) The signature and/or identification number of the person issuing the notice.
Section Four: That this ordinance shall be in full force and effect immediately upon passage and approval hereof.
Section Five: That all ordinances or parts of ordinances thereof in conflict herewith are hereby repealed to the extent of any such conflict.
Section Six: That any Section or provision of this ordinance that is construed to be invalid or void shall not affect the remaining Sections or provisions which shall remain in full force and effect thereafter.
PASSED by the City Council of the City of Aurora, Illinois, on .
AYES ___________ NAYES __________ NOT VOTING ___________
APPROVED AND SIGNED by the Mayor of the City of Aurora, Illinois, on .
________________________ Mayor
ATTEST:
____________________________
City Clerk