Pittsburgh City Council supports hefty parking fine hike
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Pittsburgh City Council on Thursday gave unanimous support for legislation that would raise fines for parking violations.
Although the legislation is a way for the city to raise money to replenish its pension fund, some say more enforcement is needed to actually cut down on illegal parking.
By increasing fines by $10 to $30, council hopes to raise an extra $4 million to $6 million to help alleviate the city's budget deficit. After council casts its final vote on the bill Tuesday, it will await Mayor Luke Ravenstahl's signature or veto. The increases would take effect immediately.
The legislation, proposed by Council President Darlene Harris, raises common violation fines from $15 to $25, while expired meter fines would increase from $11 to $20 and from $16 to $30 Downtown or in Oakland. Residential permit parking fines would increase from $35 to $45 and street cleaning fines from $15 to $25.
The revenue estimate from the increases is based on current enforcement rates, Council Budget Director William Urbanic said.
Though Councilman Bruce Kraus hopes the fine increases will help deter illegal parking, he said the city also needs to crack down on violations, particularly in his district.
He said the top complaint from his constituents in the South Side is parking. On Friday and Saturday mornings, cars litter the South Side in the aftermath of weekend nightlife -- "like leaves in the wind," Mr. Kraus said -- blocking crosswalks, fire hydrants and wheelchair ramps.
Rick Belloli, executive director of the South Side Local Development Company, said the neighborhood faces an imbalance of parking between commercial and residential areas.
"We don't have enforcement of parking ordinances and guidelines past 5 or 6 at night," Mr. Belloli said.
First Published May 21, 2010 12:00 am
