Ferguson defends, explains parking law plan
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Mayor Michael Ferguson defended Fredonia's proposed parking law, and tried to clear up misconceptions about it, at the recent Board of Trustees meeting.
The law would start a paid permit structure for long term parking in the municipal lots, and change metered spaces to a "mobile app" system. The board scheduled a public hearing on the law, but then cancelled the hearing.
Ferguson made a series of comments about the proposed law after a critical letter from former Village Attorney Samuel Drayo was read out.
Drayo wrote, "The proposed new parking system is far from being user-friendly. The present procedure is very simple. You put a quarter in the meter which is immediately adjoining your parking space, and you get a half hour parking time. Under the proposed new system you'll need to... follow the directions on the signage and use a credit card to make payment for the parking space."
Drayo expressed concerns that the signage might not be at every space, requiring a walk that could be treacherous in the winter. He called the proposed system "confusing and inefficient, especially for seniors and those who value their privacy."
He added that it would be "Bad for business and residents of Fredonia -- don't village residents pay enough in taxes and other fees?"
Ferguson said the system would not use tickets from kiosks. "The kiosks that we looked at would cost over $8,000 apiece, we would need eight of them. We're not for putting that on the village, plus you would have to walk to them," he said.
The mayor clarified that the municipal lots bordering Water Street, located behind Main Street business, will still have some free spaces.
"There are 10 spots that have been chosen in the back part of the east lot and back part of the west lot" for the permits, he said. "A total of 20 spots would have been used at a $25 monthly rate."
In addition, the village plans to "offer an $80 one time once a year sticker to put on the rear window. Park anywhere you like for up to two hours."
Ferguson continued, "This village used to bring in over $122,000 in quarters many years ago. The machines that you're talking about, our current meters, are outdated. They have been frozen, they have been sunburned, there is no place to get the parts for them anymore. They don't even make that type of meter anymore. So one way or another, we would have to go to a new meter system."
The mayor commented, "You shouldn't have to try and find out which ones work. This isn't a casino, you shouldn't have to try your luck. We should be able to identify which ones work."
The OBSERVER hit the jackpot when it went out to lunch in downtown Fredonia on Thursday. It parked at a meter that had the word "dead" on the digital readout where the price and time remaining are supposed to be displayed.
Ferguson explained that signage under the new system would be frequent. "You're not going to have to walk a block away. Where there might be four meters, there would be three signs," he said.
He assured that people will not necessarily need mobile phones or credit cards to park in downtown Fredonia. "We will get you a permit and you can park anywhere you want, as long as you have that in your back window," he said.
Trustee LeeAnn Lazarony asked Ferguson to reassure that there will still be some free parking in the lots off Water Street, behind the Main Street businesses. The mayor noted that currently metered spots in front of the businesses would go to the mobile app system. The village has signed a tentative agreement with HONK to provide the mobile app service.
Lazarony noted high interest in Fredonia about the parking law proposal.
"I've spoken to many, many residents over the last 24 hours with the parking," she said. "There's lots of concerns and I just want to make sure we answer their concerns."