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Council approves limited free parking to help downtown

Downtown parking fees in certain lots in the City were waived by Yorkton Council at its regular meeting Monday.
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Downtown parking fees in certain lots in the City were waived by Yorkton Council at its regular meeting Monday.

“Over the last month, a number of downtown businesses were forced to close or drastically change their service delivery due to COVID-19 Public Health Orders put in place to slow the virus spread,” explained Nicole Baptist, Bylaw & Safety Supervisor, with the City. “With the closures, City Administration noticed that traffic and parking on downtown streets and parking lots decreased.  Administration believes it’s important to avoid being an impediment for those working or visiting downtown during this time. As such, we would like to offer free parking in the downtown parking lots. The Traffic Bylaw states that Council has the authority to establish free parking provisions for periods of time identified by resolution.

“At this time, we recommend that free parking is not extended to the 15 minute meters because these stalls facilitate quick stops that may still be required.”

In addition, enforcement is being modified slightly.

“Since the Public Health Orders came into effect, Administration has directed the downtown parking enforcement officer to relax parking enforcement as we understand the financial strain that residents and business owners may be feeling.  Although the downtown area is much quieter than it is normally is, we believe it’s valuable for the parking enforcement officer to be present in the community to maintain order, especially during times of uncertainty,” said Bapitist.

“It’s important to note that handicap spaces are strategically placed near alleys or other locations where driveways are available to allow wheelchairs and walkers barrier-free access to the sidewalks. As such, handicap spaces and 15-minute meter parking spaces will continue to be enforced.”

Administration also understands that people have purchased downtown parking permits and haven’t been able to utilize them due to Public Health Orders that have shut businesses down. As such, once the Public Health Orders are lifted and business begins resuming, Administration will also look to extend downtown parking permits for those who purchased permits previously, said Baptist.

With the unanimous passage of free parking Administration will post signage on multi-space pay station machines explaining that parking is currently free in those lots. Further, Administration will put notifications in the newspaper, on the City website and on Facebook to notify the public of free parking provisions. Furthermore, when business resumes, Administration will also put notifications in the newspaper, on the City website and on Facebook to notify downtown parking permit holders that they may be eligible for extensions on their downtown parking permits.