Concerns over downtown parking as the COVID-19 pandemic continues, were again on the agenda of Yorkton Council Monday.
The report presented to Council by Nicole Baptist, Bylaw & Safety Supervisor, with the City also raised concerned over people speeding in construction zones and how to better police those situations.
In regard to speeding in construction zones Baptist told Council “Administration would like to make an amendment ahead of the full review in order to allow the Community Safety Officers to issue fines for speeding in construction zones within City limits under the Traffic Bylaw.”
To facilitate the changes small changes were required to the bylaw to list consistent speeds that will be enacted during construction or other maintenance that would require a “work zone” to be set up based on the original speed of the road.
“Changes were also made to list fines for the offence based on how fast a driver was going above the posted speed limit. The fines are based on the Traffic Safety Act fines for speeding in construction zones,” said Baptist.
Small changes were also recommended to Section 73 of the Traffic Bylaw to note that fines for speeding in construction zones would not be reduced if paid within 10 days of a fine being issued as they are for parking tickets.
Public Notice is required to change the Bylaw for construction zone speeding changes.
First reading of a motion to amendment the bylaw to deal with construction zone speeding, and to authorize Administration to proceed to the public notice was passed Monday with Councillor Mitch Hippsley sitting opposed.
Regarding downtown parking Baptist said a larger review will be forthcoming, but suggested some issues needed address now.
“In 2020 Administration intended to conduct a downtown parking review to more closely examine if the current parking options in the downtown address current parking needs. Administration is prepared to move forward with it now, however, we would instead suggest a delay until late 4th Quarter 2020 or early 1st Quarter 2021 to ensure that we’re getting a clear picture of the downtown parking needs,” said Baptist.
“At this point with businesses just re-opening after COVID-19, we may see many more businesses in the downtown close or change their business model in the coming months, which could have a dramatic effect on the downtown landscape and parking requirements.”
Some options for Council to consider in terms of downtown parking were:
*Extend free parking in downtown parking lots until June 30, 2020 or August 31, 2020
*Change the two hour free on-street parking to three hour free on-street parking or fully remove the two hour time limit for downtown on-street parking.
*Direct Administration to relax parking enforcement until City Hall reopens (meaning only issuing warnings for offenders, not tickets).
*Direct Administration to proceed with the Downtown Parking Review now (June/July) or delay for six months and look at this again in late 4th Quarter 2020 or early 1st Quarter 2021.
While acknowledging COVID-19 makes it a rather unique situation Baptist said “Administration cautions and encourages Council to treat this as the final time that free parking will be instituted in the downtown parking lots due to COVID. By continuously adding more time to free parking it’s causing more confusion for downtown parking users as they constantly need to find out if they’ll need to pay, purchase a parking pass, etc.
“It is also inefficient to make constant changes without an end goal in mind and is confusing when preparing appropriate communication for the public.”
In the end Council approved offering free parking in the four Multi Space Pay Station Parking Lots and the one Permit Parking lot located on Myrtle Avenue, Betts Avenue, First Avenue and Second Avenue, from June 2, 2020 through August 31, 2020, again with Hippsley opposed.
Council was unanimous in directing Administration to conduct a Downtown Parking Review in late 4th Quarter 2020 or early 1st Quarter 2021.
