RICHMOND —
Motorists who accumulate $100 or more in unpaid parking fines may have their vehicles towed and impounded if found parked in public places in Richmond.
That’s even if they are parked legally when a police officer notices their vehicle.
Previously, a vehicle had to be parked illegally before it could be towed.
The city commission approved final reading of an ordinance Tuesday night authorizing towing of vehicles for which $100 or more is owed in parking fines.
To gain release of their vehicles, motorists will have to pay the towing and impoundment costs in addition to their unpaid fines and penalties.
The ordinance was adopted 4-1 with Commissioner Jason Morgan voting in opposition, saying he disagreed with towing vehicles that were parked legally.
When the first reading was heard two weeks earlier, Police Chief Larry Brock said summoning people to appear before the already crowded district court was ineffective.
Empowering the police to tow persistent violators would deter illegal parking, he said. Officers who write parking tickets on residential streets often find tickets written earlier for the same vehicle have accumulated in the gutter.
“People need to realize there is a consequence to parking illegally and then ignoring citations,” the chief said.
Citations for most violations costs the motorist $5. If not paid within 10 days, a $10 penalty is added. The penalty jumps to $20 for citations not paid within 15 days.
Letters are mailed at the end of each month to the subjects of unpaid citations, according to the city finance office.
When accumulated fines and penalties reach $100, violators will still be summoned to district court, Brock said, but if unresolved, vehicles will be subject to tow.
The commission also passed on final reading an ordinance requiring all apartment complexes to maintain large trash bins, unless they obtained a waiver from the board of adjustments.
The exception was written into the ordinance because some small complexes do not have enough space to place a large trash bin, commonly called a dumpster, said City Attorney Garrett Fowles.
The ordinance was rewritten to eliminate the waiver application fee for complexes that win an exemption.
Previously, dumpsters were required only of new apartment complexes.
In other action,
the commission:
• Accepted the retirement of City Hall receptionist Virginia Speakman
• Approved the leasing of 48 golf carts from Dever Inc. for Gibson Bay Golf Course
• Agreed to purchase property on Congleton Lane for $14,000 so Richmond Utilities can construct a pump station
• Accepted the bid of Morton Salt Company for sale of up to 1,800 tons of street-treatment salt at $64.98 a ton. If all 1,800 tons are purchased, the city will spend $16,000 less than if the same amount was purchased at the previous year’s price, City Manager Jimmy Howard said. The salt will be purchased using the city’s state aid for streets, he said.
First reading of an ordinance annexing 9.4 acres into to the city at 320 and 360 Boggs Lane also was heard.
Bill Robinson can be reached at brobinson@
richmondregister.com
or at 624-6622.
Local News
City getting tougher on parking fines
Richmond City Commission
- Local News
-
-
White Hall teachers say farewell for the summer
White Hall Elementary kindergarten assistant Patti Von Fischer said she found a poem on the Internet that seemed to fit the last day of school perfectly.
“The teachers jumped out of the windows; the principals ran for the door; the nurse and librarian bolted; they’re not coming back anymore,” Von Fischer read over the loudspeaker Friday before students left for the summer. -
Benson will be state’s third highest paid university president
When Michael Benson begins his tenure as the 12th president of Eastern Kentucky University on Aug. 1, his $400,000 salary plus benefits will make him Kentucky’s third-highest paid state university president.
Benson’s pay will be less only than that of Eli Capilouto, president of the University of Kentucky, $500,000 a year, and Gary Ransdell, president of Western Kentucky University, $423,588 a year, according to figures obtained from the state Council on Post-secondary education. -
Richmond post troopers recognized at annual ceremony
The Kentucky State Police announced the 2012 Trooper of the Year, Detective of the Year, Commercial Vehicle Enforcement Officer of the Year and other awards for acts of bravery, life-saving, professionalism and dedication to duty Friday at the Capital Plaza Hotel in Frankfort.
-
Second-grade classroom receives recognition for reading nearly 1,400 books
A project at Mayfield Elementary School has received recognition across state lines from a woman who found a balloon released in celebration of one classroom having read more than 1,000 books.
Second-grade teacher Wanda Wilson started the school year by challenging her 22 students to read a total of 1,000 books by the end of the school year. -
Pets of the Week
This week's cat is an 8-week-old female kitten. This week's dog is 1-year-old Nicki, a spayed female who does not care for horses, according to her previous owner.
-
Father/Daughter Dance is June 14 at RAAC
Dads and daughters will take to the dance floor Friday, June 14, for the second annual Father/Daughter Dance to benefit the Hope’s Wings Domestic Violence Program.
The ball will take place from 6 to 9 p.m. at the Richmond Area Arts Center, 399 W. Water St. -
Three Richmond thefts reported Tuesday-Thursday
Richmond police are investigating thefts reported from Tuesday through Thursday.
An employee of Baptist Health, Eastern Bypass, reported Thursday that her vehicle had been broken into during the evening and a small shoulder purse was stolen. The purse contained several debit/credit cards, $70 in cash, and a Pantech slider cellular telephone. Estimated loss: $595. -
Paul plans re-election bid for U.S. Senate in 2016
Republican Rand Paul will run for re-election to the U.S. Senate in 2016 regardless of any decision to launch a presidential bid. And he will campaign for his Kentucky colleague and Senate Republican Minority Leader Mitch McConnell in 2014.
-
‘Etta May’s On Her Way’ for Model Lab benefit
Laughter will fill Eastern Kentucky University’s Keen Johnson Ballroom June 8 when southern comedienne Etta May comes to town for Model Laboratory School’s first annual fundraising event.
Half of the ticket proceeds will be donated to help five Model programs: Scholarships, gifted programs, the arts, athletics and extended field trips or exchange programs, said school psychologist Ellen Rini. -
Court hearing reveals errors in trafficking case’s investigative file
A discrepancy in police records led to an unusual hearing in a drug trafficking case Thursday in Madison Circuit Court.
The attorney for 49-year-old Carla Rae Clontz made a motion earlier this month for a bill of particulars hearing. Both the prosecution and defense attorneys had noticed problems with the file numbers in Clontz’ case, and there also were different reports of the number of pills sheriff’s deputies allege were found in her home. - More Local News Headlines
-
Raw: Trucker Bumps I-5 Bridge Before Collapse
Raw: Texas Deputy Shot by Colo. Suspect Honored
Major Detours Following Wash. Bridge Collapse
American Held in Grisly Czech Murders
Raw: Jersey Shore Reopens for Summer
UK-bound Pakistan Plane Diverted, 2 Men Arrested
Officials: Tsarnaev Friend Linked to Slaying
Obama:Sexual Assault Threatens Trust in Military
Bridge Collapse Survivor: 'Rough Day'
Jersey Shore Open for Business
Raw: Memorial Day Flags Placed at Arlington
New Wheelchair Lift Promises More Access
First Person: Mom Discusses Famous Tornado Photo
Raw Video: Washington State Bridge Collapse
Boy Scouts Approve Plan to Accept Gay Boys
