Council looks at parking

Photo: Darren Handschuh

Vernon city council approved four days of free downtown parking, but how many more will be allowed has yet to be seen.

Coun. Catherine Lord said the city currently allows 15 days of free parking downtown a year, and while that may not look like much, it does add up to several thousand dollars.

Lord pointed out it is taxpayers who end up footing the bill for the free parking and the lost revenue.

Lord said she is not against free parking, but would like to see some sort of policy in place.

“We are getting more and more requests for this. I think we should put a cap on it,” she said Monday at the regular council meeting.

Coun. Juliette Cunningham agreed, saying free parking downtown is not always a good thing.

“In my experience, free parking actually creates challenges because it prevents cars from moving. Once it's free, people will park there all day,” said Cunningham.

A motion was passed to have city staff look in to the matter.

Coun. Brian Quiring requested staff get input from the Downtown Vernon Association as well.

Council approved free parking days March 5, May 7, Sept. 3 and Nov. 5.

Council also agreed to allow free parking during the Vernon Winter Carnival Chili Cook off.