City commissioners to discuss parking meters
By The Emporia Gazette (Contact)
Monday, November 9, 2009
Possible changes to the city’s parking meters will be under discussion at this week’s city commission study session, which will take place at 10 a.m. tomorrow in city conference room 1 A/B, 516 Mechanic St. The meeting will be held a day early because of Wednesday’s Veterans Day activities.
Commissioners will discuss the possibility of changing parking meters from mechanical to electric. The question, brought up by commissioners, came for a number of reasons, according to city manager Matt Zimmerman.
“Part of it is additional revenue,” Zimmerman said. “... Part of it is to get our rates more in line with other cities, which also encourages turnover.”
Zimmerman said the current meters cannot be adjusted, whereas electronic meters can.
“Right now, with our system being mechanical, you pay a penny for anywhere from 12 minutes to an hour, depending on where the meter is,” Zimmerman said. “... By going to electric ones, we can set the rates or change the rates.”
The following items also are on the agenda for the study session:
Review a draft of the city’s community improvement district policy.
Review of the 2006 International Building Code.
Discussion of naming a street in honor of Clint Bowyer.
Discussion of changing stop signs on Oak Street at Fifth Avenue to yield signs.
Discuss removing the stop signs on Weaver Street at Sixth Avenue.
Review of the revised multi-year budget projections in the general fund and the utility fund.
spectator (anonymous) says...
The new meters will cost how much? And this money to buy the meters comes from what hidden fund? And the new meters plus the adjusted meter fees will generate how much of a profit or even pay for themselves when? People, please don't refer to him as an idiot: *real* idiots will be insulted.
November 9, 2009 at 9:32 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
b3bill (anonymous) says...
I refuse to park at any parking meter in Emporia. I gladly walk the extra distance to avoid them. Get whatever kind of meters you want, Mr. Zimmerman, I won't be putting any of my money in any of them. I won't be paying money to park in Emporia, and neither will I be bothered with parking tickets if I don't race back to my car in proper time to put in more money.
This town is so economically depressed. The last thing needed is for the city to have the petty attitude to want to chisel more money out of patrons parking downtown. They're trying to do business there!!! Doesn't the downtown business bunch realize that's just one more reason for their customers to decide to switch to Walmart, Walgreens, Sutherlands, Bluestem, Waters, Internet shopping, etc, to avoid being pestered with parking meters and parking tickets??
Get rid of the horse-and-buggy mentality, which seems to characterize all too much of Emporia. Get rid of the parking meters!
November 9, 2009 at 10:07 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Quack (anonymous) says...
If you really read the article, it says the issue was brought up by commissioners, not Zimmerman. He is only looking into issues that he was directed to. But I hope the commission will do a cost analysis on this. How long will it take to pay off a meter from the coins it takes in? May just not be worth it over the years.
November 9, 2009 at 10:37 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
admireed (anonymous) says...
You anti Zimmerman folks get fired by the city for sitting on your ass or something? Or do you just enjoy battering folks rather than being part of the solutions.
November 9, 2009 at 11:07 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Steve_Corbin (anonymous) says...
get those new meters that have a handle on the side and 3 or 4 reels that spin and people will be fighting to put their nickles in.
November 10, 2009 at 5:47 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
biscuitboy (anonymous) says...
Steve
Now there is an idea! With that type of meter the city could solve its financial woes in a heartbeat thereby leaving the city fathers free to once again spend as if there was no tomorrow on building new monuments to themselves. Of course they would have to spend some of their new found lucre on additional parking lots as twelve minute parking would become a thing of the past. We could soon be as rich as the once poverty stricken Indian tribes have become.
November 10, 2009 at 6:20 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
phiber101 (anonymous) says...
This comment was removed by the site staff for violation of the usage agreement.
November 9, 2009 at 8:06 p.m. ( permalink )
justaflushaway (anonymous) says...
This comment was removed by the site staff for violation of the usage agreement.
November 9, 2009 at 9:01 p.m. ( permalink )
biscuitboy (anonymous) says...
This comment was removed by the site staff for violation of the usage agreement.
November 10, 2009 at 4 a.m. ( permalink )
create (anonymous) says...
I would think the downtown merchants would already be mounting a campaign to call off this insane venture. But listen to the city already thinking up ways to squeeze every last nickel from our hides to pay off their $50 million dollar deficit. Yes indeed, "By going to electric ones, we can set the rates or change the rates.” Wanna bet they'll also make it 24 hour?
Wasn't it Cool Hand Luke who took care of parking meter problems?
November 10, 2009 at 7:34 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
moderator (anonymous) says...
Online comments are to be used to encourage thoughtful discussions about the news stories and not call people names. Please review our User Poster Agreement Policy for more information.
November 10, 2009 at 7:35 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Steve_Corbin (anonymous) says...
WED. MORNING THERE WILL BE FREE PARKING DOWNTOWN TO WATCH THE PARADE!
On your way down to enjoy the FREE parking and the parade stop and get some batteries,( AA or AAA), or snacks to donate to our troops overseas.
A drop off will be located in front of the T.R. at 405 Commercial. And get a free American flag.
Come downtown Wed. and show your support for our troops and give your thanks to all our vets.
November 10, 2009 at 7:48 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
biscuitboy (anonymous) says...
This once again shows just how out of touch our city fathers are with the situation on the ground for those of us still trying to live here. It is enough at times to cause one to wonder about the thought processes they use to make some of these decision.
November 10, 2009 at 7:54 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
biscuitboy (anonymous) says...
moderator
I apologize for stepping over some line with my comment. I however have been called the same thing on these boards more than once. I have also been called somethings worse than that and the comments have stood for all time. Is the difference because I am a lone poster rather than a city father?
November 10, 2009 at 8:02 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
methusla (anonymous) says...
At least three of the City Commissioners own businesses, possibly they may all own businesses !
Ask anyone of them, that do not have parking meters at there place of business, if they want or would like to have parking meters at their businesses, for their customers to have to pay to be able to park and do business there !
A sensible way for the City to gain more revenue is to stop unnecessary spending, plain and simple !
The utility rates have been or are going to be raised, taxes are or have been raised and still the City needs more !
And this concept that Emporia must be like other towns or cities is absolutey a be like or keep up with the " Jonses " mentality that will bankrupt an individual or government, in the long run !
When is this vicious circle of spend, raise utility rates, taxes, etc., going to stop and common sense prevail ?
Here is a common phylosophy of Warren Buffet, " Being frugal is the core of gaining wealth and prosperty " and this means being frugal in spending, what you buy, how you buy it, and what you pay for it ! This phylosophy applies to everyone, individuals, businesses and government !
November 10, 2009 at 8:17 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
mslater (Matt Slater) says...
Mainstreet is trying to promote people to live downtown, they should all be opposed to this. Imagine living downtown, and then figuring out that you have another $200/mo in expenses for parking. Yeah, good times.
Here's my idea... Allow people to purchase parking permits for all metered and marked parking zones. I sure would pay for something like that, just so I don't have to stop what I'm doing and move my car, and I'm sure a bunch of other downtown business owners and employees would do the same.
Matt
November 10, 2009 at 8:55 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
truelovecharlie (anonymous) says...
Emporia use to have permits that you bought and they would give you a locking bag to put over the meter while you parked at that spot. Parking meters are a thing of the past; unless, you are in California or other major downtowns. Emporia downtown doesn't quite meet the definition of major downtown. The only people to park on Commercial any lengthy time are the people that work downtown. Those people should be willing to park elsewhere to allow the parking spots for customers. Most customers will only be parked in 1 spot 30 minutes. New parking meters (parking meters at all, for that matter) is cutting your noses off to spite your face.
November 10, 2009 at 9:05 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
moderator (anonymous) says...
Biscuitboy
Everyone should be treated equal on these message boards.
Sorry if we missed an inappropriate posting.
November 10, 2009 at 9:19 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
phiber101 (anonymous) says...
I will second biscuitboys comment about being called worse! It's all about who you are or who you know in this town! Sorry if I stepped on Zimmermans toes by my comment, but the truth hurts.
I don't think that new parking meters are a neccessity nor do they serve a purpose. The city commission wants to raise more revenue (which would be alright if we actually had an economy) in a time that all the businesses are moving out of town. Sounds pretty irresponsible to me.
Hope this comment doesn't get deleted!
November 10, 2009 at 9:22 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
SFIns (anonymous) says...
mslater,
the city does sell parking permits...
November 10, 2009 at 9:25 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
HenryVIII (anonymous) says...
FYI: There are no parking meters in Walmart's parking lot!
'enry
November 10, 2009 at 10:20 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
phiber101 (anonymous) says...
To The City Commission: Just remember the little folks when you have your meetings figuring out how to spend our money. Life (and politics) is all about Checks and Balances! While you guys are writing the Checks, who's checking the Balances? Think about it.
November 10, 2009 at 10:22 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
HenryVIII (anonymous) says...
Steve_Corbin and biscuitboy,
That would be great, but I fear the religious types wouldn't check their Bibles at the polling-place door. They voted down Sunday sales, so I doubt they'd take kindly to any sort of gambling 'round these parts.
'enry
November 10, 2009 at 10:41 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
sunshine (anonymous) says...
Please, Please, Please no new parking meters! I am nickel and dimed to death in this town as it is. I sure don't mind feeding pennies into the meters downtown, in fact I often put extra in for someone else to be able to use or leave a couple pennies sitting on the meter for someone else's use. But then there is the parking at the college, and that just about kills me, in fact I generally wind up parking a mile away and walking every day because I simply can't afford to keep quarters on hand all the time. For some I know that seems ridiculous...it's just quarters right. But a week’s worth of parking will buy at least a gallon of milk so my kids can have cereal every morning. A week’s worth of parking buys a little over a gallon of gas so that I can make sure my mom gets to her dr. appts and I can get to her house and help her several times a week. See...ever little bit really counts for many of us.
Zimmerman may not be the one that brought it up to begin with, but clearly he is for it:
“Part of it is additional revenue,” Zimmerman said. “... Part of it is to get our rates more in line with other cities, which also encourages turnover.”
Mr. Zimmerman, we are not a big major city. I don't understand your comment on getting us more in line with other cities. If you are looking to get us more in line with cities that are the same size and population then perhaps you will do away with the meters all together. Otherwise, how about you and the commissioners leave them alone and let us keep paying our pennies for parking. Also, do you think you could do something about more parking for poor college students? JK...just being facetious, but still...The whole idea of paying to park my car makes me crazy...especially when I pay big bucks to attend college here and also pay big bucks to have my car every year...that taxes are ridiculous here!
November 10, 2009 at 1:46 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
biscuitboy (anonymous) says...
That is the point I was trying to make this morning sunshine. Mr Zimmerman and his 150-K per year job......nor the rest of the city commission for that matter......have a clue how many of us underlings down here live and what we have to do to get by. They don't have a clue.
November 10, 2009 at 6:06 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
phiber101 (anonymous) says...
hey biscuitboy, LET THEM EAT CAKE! hahahahaha
November 10, 2009 at 7:23 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
biscuitboy (anonymous) says...
That phiber 101 is exactly the attitude I would expect from our esteemed city fathers and our benevolent despot Mr Zimmerman.
When told the people had no more quarters to put into his new parking meters he benevolently replied....." Well let them use dollars then."
November 11, 2009 at 3:58 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
methusla (anonymous) says...
Nor, do the CM, CC OR LCC, have a clue as to what to do for the benefit of " all the taxpaying people " . It would seem that they only listen to, impliment and propose only what " certain people " want or propose ! I have come to this conslusion while attending the previous public budget meetings.
The CM,CC and LLC asked for, no begged for, public input on how or what to do to balance their respective budgets and when the public did attend and offer some sound suggestions, their were only those certain few persons that were given any creedence at all and that most or all of the budget that had been drawn up was and has been approved as orgionally drawn up with little or no change or attempt to satisfactorly balance their respective budgets with expenditure cutbacks, etc..
The collective mentality of the CM, CC and LCC seems to be that the possibility of getting a Federal Stimulus/Bailout/Grant, which everyone seems to think is " Free Money " is the thought of the Day !
Well, I have said it before and I will say it again now, Stimulus/Bailout/Grant money is not " Free Money " , it is taxpayer money and will eventually have t be paid back by who ? Taxpayers, that is who will have to pay the Stimulus/Bailout/Grant money back !
November 11, 2009 at 7:30 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
methusla (anonymous) says...
In my opinion, the only thing higher parking costs downtown will accomplish is to drive customers away from downtown and away from Emporia in general !
The City and County would not need more and more money if there was any modicum of fiscal common sense among our elected officials, either individually or collectivly !
And what is the infatuation or need to be like some other city or cities ?
Why not be our own, personal and unique City, instead of being like some other city or cities ?
I for one do not care to be part of or live in a " Clone " of some other City !
November 11, 2009 at 7:49 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
biscuitboy (anonymous) says...
This drive to be like other cities is nothing more that a ploy to justify their getting their way. I learned this tactic when I was attending junior high school in the cave out near Camp Alexander. When my folks said I couldn't stay out all night running the streets my response was always "All the other kids parents let them do it."
November 11, 2009 at 8:13 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
admireed (anonymous) says...
I would like to see a listing of the top 10 parking meter violaters published every six months. Bet this would not include any "little people".
November 11, 2009 at 3:28 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
biscuitboy (anonymous) says...
Well I see illustrious leadership has voted to table this proposal at present......watch out though boys and girls....I'll bet were not through with this idea yet.
November 11, 2009 at 6:02 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
landinkansas (anonymous) says...
Must be an extremely slow day in Emporia. An awful lot of senseless chatter regarding a simple "discussion" topic by the City Comissioners?
November 11, 2009 at 6:29 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
biscuitboy (anonymous) says...
landinkansas
Just what about this "chatter" is so senseless. I would suggest that no "chatter" pertaining to a discussion topic by the city commission is senseless. And if not while the commission is discussing the topic...when would you deem that "chatter" was appropriate....after they have passed the topic. Get real buddy>:-(
November 11, 2009 at 6:38 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
ToxicPink (anonymous) says...
It's probably only pointless because land doesn't agree with what you are saying, therefore is trivializing it.
For shame.
November 11, 2009 at 9:31 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Joe (anonymous) says...
Once again, so many experts, but when it comes time to run for the office of city commissioner or Lyon County commissioner nobody shows up. I guess it's just easier to sit on your duffs and complain. It must make you feel like you're making a difference, huh?
November 12, 2009 at 6:44 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Steve_Corbin (anonymous) says...
Well, Joe, I don't think most of those complaining are sitting on their duffs, complaining.
They are working overtime trying to earn enough to pay their taxes.
Let's sit back and wait for the next election cycle and see what happens, O.K.?
November 12, 2009 at 7:17 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Steve_Corbin (anonymous) says...
YY4U
WHA??????????????????
November 12, 2009 at 7:50 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
FinallyOUT (anonymous) says...
Ya'll seriously, do not let this happen. Zimmerman doesn't pay for his metered parking the city does. Until he is shoving dimes and nickels in those meters and getting harrassed by the parking enforcement, just say NO.
November 16, 2009 at 2:50 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )