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A law making major changes to downtown Fredonia parking is on hold. However, the village already has an agreement in place with the company that would help make the changes.
Fredonia cancelled a public hearing on the law that was supposed to be held Monday. Mayor Michael Ferguson went on social media to explain that the proposed law had at least two errors.
"We are not charging $25 for parking for everyone" in the municipal lots near Water Street, stated the village of Fredonia's page, which Ferguson controls. "There are nine parking spots in each lot that (people) can utilize for long term parking. There is no other charge for parking in the East or West lot."
The proposed law did not make that clear. It set out certain zones, covering most of downtown Fredonia, where parkers would have to pay using a mobile phone application. However, it didn't appear to delineate that not all of the municipal lots would be paid spots.
Additionally, the mayor told the OBSERVER, "Also, as promised: those without cellphones can purchase a six month or one year parking pass."
Ferguson emailed the OBSERVER a copy of a February agreement with HONK, a company that provides mobile app parking services to municipalities. The agreement is not technically a service contract -- but does position HONK to work with Fredonia if the village decides to change its parking law.
It also sets up a way for Fredonia to ask other local entities to join its parking service, though there has been no indication of that happening so far.
"HONK agrees that this agreement may be used as a cooperative purchasing vehicle by other eligible users as defined below," the pact states. "This provision allows such entities to 'piggyback' on the terms conditions and pricing established herein subject to the terms of this clause."
An "eligible user" is defined as "any governmental entity, political subdivision, public educational entity (including all public universities, state community college and school districts), or other public agency within the United States."
HONK is allowed to "at its sole discretion, allow an eligible user to receive the benefits of this agreement." However, the user must make a separate agreement, aka a "Participation Order Form," with HONK to govern its relationship.
"HONK has no obligation to provide the services" until such an order form is signed. It's also stated that the original contracting party, which would presumably be the village in this case, is not legally bound to any agreement between HONK and a user.