BY MIKE FAHER
Johnstown officials are undertaking a total overhaul of their parking operations, saying the system is inconsistent, inefficient and a drain on city finances.
As a result, commuters and shoppers could see more convenient ways of paying parking bills. And at the same time, those who have not been paying enough – or, possibly, not paying at all – will see those arrangements end.
“The system needs to be completely revamped,” City Manager Kristen Denne said after Wednesday’s City Council meeting.
“It obviously has been an issue that has been ignored for some time, and it’s costing us money.”
The city’s parking fund is not self-sustaining and must be subsidized annually. Denne and Councilwoman Marie Mock said all aspects of the situation will be examined closely, with big changes likely.
“Hopefully, by the end of the year we want to have something in place so that parking can be self-sufficient,” Mock said.
City Council in December raised several parking fines, including doubling the expired-meter violation charge to $10. Also, the fine for parking in restricted areas jumped from $15 to $25.
But, rather than raising fees further, Denne said she now is focusing on improving collections.
“Nobody needs to pay more,” she said. “The system just needs overhauled to ensure compliance.”
That will include requiring all motorists who park in city garages to resubmit their information to the city so that officials can be sure who is parking where, and how much they are paying.
“There are people who aren’t paying for their spots,” Mock said. “It’s just an absolute breakdown in the system.”
City leaders also are hoping to modernize the payment process by allowing for credit and debit transactions at the parking bureau and through the city’s Web site.
That is part of Denne’s overall effort – with assistance from the state – to upgrade City Hall technology, which she says is badly outdated.
“It is to the point where it is hindering operations,” Denne said, adding that she envisions online-payment capabilities for other bills such as permit fees.
• Council gave final, unanimous approval to a requirement that all newly hired Johnstown employees live within city limits.
The rule would not apply to anyone currently working for the city. And any new hires would be given 90 days to move into Johnstown.
• Town House Towers resident Vivian Marple asked officials to make pedestrian crossing safer at Vine and Stonycreek streets, saying drivers often do not slow down in the area.
“Our residents have walkers, scooters and canes, and it’s hard for them to cross,” Marple said.
Public Works Director Darby Sprincz said he already has contacted PennDOT and is “sure we can do something.”
• The debate over police manpower continues following the Jan. 1 layoff of four officers, with Mock again raising concerns about overtime costs and safety.
But a lack of money for salaries remains a concern.
Denne said “proactive scheduling” of officers currently on the payroll may alleviate some of the problem.
“I don’t want us to get into a situation where we bring (furloughed police officers) back and find out in three months that we’re overspending,” Denne said.
