City to decide on parking ticket fees

The City of Lockport Common Council will vote at their next meeting to increase the fees associated with parking tickets.

Mayor Michael Tucker said it has been seven years since the city has raised parking ticket fees. They have also found their current fine schedule is lower than other area police departments.

The new fee schedule would not take effect until Jan. 1, 2013. The police department currently has a supply of parking tickets of about 4,000, which is enough for about a year.

They have to pre-order new tickets soon, which prompted the interest in raising the fees, said Tucker.

The proposed increase in fees for a Class A fine is now $30 or $50 if not paid in five business days or $75 if not paid in 15 business days. The current fines are $20, $30 and $50. A Class A fine include parking in the street after 2 a.m., parking in a no parking area, blocking a driveway, blocking a sidewalk, overtime parking or an uninspected vehicle.

The proposed increase in fees for a Class B fine is $40 or $60 if not paid in five business days or $85 if not paid in 15 business days. The current fee is $30, $40 and $70. A Class B fine includes double parking and blocking a fire hydrant.

A Class C fine, which is parking in a handicapped zone, is currently $40 or $50 if not paid in five business days or $80 if not paid in 15 business days. The new proposed fines are $50, $70 and $95.

A $125 fine will be imposed for each unpaid parking ticket that results in a warrant being issued by the City of Lockport Court. The current fine is $75.

In other city news:

• A public hearing will be held Aug. 1 on the council’s potential decision to repeal Chapter 150 of the city code.

The code prohibits any person convicted of a sexual offense against a minor or received a Level 2 or 3 designation as defined under state law from residing within a 1,000 foot radius of a school, nursery, playground or park.

City Attorney John Ottaviano said he wants the city to be “proactive.” He said many municipalities throughout the state who have similar codes are facing suits and civil liabilities because the local code is stricter than the state.

Recently Niagara County Judge Matthew Murphy overturned a similar law in the Town of Newfane after a convicted sex offender challenged it. The reasoning is because state law supercedes local law.

The hearing will be held at 6 p.m. at the Lockport Municipal Building.

• A public hearing was held regarding changes to the Refuse and Recyclable Code.

Before the hearing, the council withdrew the resolution to amend the code to allow them time to consider what the public had to say during the public hearing.

Councilwoman Anne McCaffrey said she did not want to vote on the issue the same night as the public hearing because they should take the time to consider what the public has to say.

The proposed changes to the code will be voted on during the Aug. 1 meeting.