YAKIMA, Wash.- The Yakima City Council has officially decided to change the parking system downtown.
The Council voted 6-1 on two ordinances that would extend free parking in city owned lots to three hours, keep street parking at two hours and decrease parking violation and monthly permit costs to $20.
“Really understand that free parking’s returned,” said Deputy Mayor Matt Brown. “Downtown, free parking is here.”
City Council first approved a parking moratorium in December, after downtown employees were upset with the system. Since December, the city has hosted multiple public input meetings and met with businesses to come up with a solution.
“I think it was a timely process, but I think very effective, and I think we reached something that everybody feels comfortable with,” says Mayor Patricia Byers. “I hope you have the confidence that it will continue to carry forward.”
Until the new system is in place on June 1, parking enforcement officers will be finding ways to inform the public about the upcoming changes.
Interim City Manager Dave Zabell suggested handbills, warning tickets and PSA’s, but ultimately suggests the businesses to inform their customers.
“We can work with the business owners, use their Facebook, their Twitter, whatever they use to get messaging out to their clientele,” says Zabell. “That’s going to be helpful for owners.”
The current moratorium on parking violations will be extended and is set to expire on May 31 at midnight. The new rules will be enforced starting June 1.
