No Fooling, Easton Really Wants to Clean Up Streets After a Hard Winter

No fooling, street sweeping will resume in
the City of Easton on April 1, city
officials say.

By Christina Georgiou

The city will resume its regular street sweeping schedule next week on Tuesday, April 1, and city officials say they are serious about enforcing no parking ordinances to get the job done.

"It's no April Fool's joke. After this winter, the streets really need to be swept," said City Administrator Glenn Steckman at Easton's city council meeting Wednesday evening.

The city began leaving bright pink flyers on cars along city street sweeping routes this week to remind residents to move their cars on street sweeping routes during designated times, Mayor Sal Panto said.

"We're trying to be proactive so we don't have to give people tickets," the mayor said.

Steckman said even one car left on the side of a street on a block being swept makes it impossible for the sweeper to do a thorough job.

Litter and debris left behind after numerous
winter storms lines many of Easton's streets,
and city street sweepers can't get to it
with parked cars in the way.

"It only benefits everyone when we can get all of the cars off one side of the street so we can clean it," he said.

Councilwoman El Warner questioned whether not having a grace period and at first issuing warnings to those that forget to move their cars was really a good idea.

"I mean, I can hear it, 'There's still snow on the street they never cleared, and they're ticketing,'" she said.

"We might be able to give one week," Steckman said.

"We weren't going to announce it, but the cat's out of the bag," Panto added.

Additionally, the city has already begun the process of filling potholes on city streets caused by the cold this winter. Panto said the total cost of several severe storms and extremely low temperatures is still being tallied.

"This has been a rough winter," he said, noting that the city spent about $258,000 on snow removal. "We expect another $100,000 in road repairs and filling pot holes."

In many places in the city, a long, cold snowy winter has
left piles of snow along streets that has yet to melt.

A better estimate of the total costs is expected to be complete by the next city council meeting, and when it is, city officials will then discuss any budget issues, the mayor said.

Both the mayor and city administrator said the harsh weather this winter has given the city the opportunity to learn more about how to handle snow emergencies.

"I think there have been a lot of lessons learned this winter," Steckman said.

Panto suggested the city may implement a robo-call system next year to directly inform residents of impending snow emergencies and to remind them to move their cars.

Additionally, the public works department will be looking at the current snow emergency route map and the possibility of making changes, he said.

City Parking Lot Goes Back to Meters After Box Fails to Please

By Christina Georgiou

The parking payment kiosk at Easton's South Third Street
municipal parking lot is covered and awaits removal after
drawing complaints from the public. Individual smart
meters have replaced the unpopular payment station system.

The city parking lot on the east side of South Third Street has gone back to using individual meters for each of its 22 parking spots after the new box to administer the whole lot failed to impress parkers.

The box, which accepted credit and debit cards, as well as cash, and produced a printed receipt that patrons were require to display as proof of payment on their cars, had been installed for a two-month trial period and will go back to the manufacturer, said City Administrator Glenn Steckman.

"We were getting mixed reviews," he said, adding that complaints included people not liking the inconvenience of having to walk back to their cars, opining the system was complicated and confusing, that the machine was difficult to read, and that the machine was slow to process card payments and generate the required receipt.

"From my personal standpoint, I think the boxes are more efficient for the city, but we listened to what our customers were saying," Steckman said.

He estimated the single payment station would have saved the city about $1,000 annually in operating costs over smart meters that accept card payments, which is what has replaced the unpopular box.

Removing the parking payment station won't cost the city more, as the money that would have been spent on its purchase was reallocated by city council to pay for the new smart meters in that location, and the box had been installed on a trial basis offer from the company that offers it.

"We leased it (on a trial basis) at a very, very low rate," Steckman said.

The city administrator added the city may try out the single payment station method again at other municipal lot locations in the future, but those will probably not be from the same company that produced the one being removed.

Where the system might be tried again is undetermined, though it's possible one could appear next year at the city's new 20-spot lot on North Fourth Street.

That lot, which has long term, 10-hour parking limit, is planned this year to have individual meters that only accept quarters. City officials have cited the costs of card-accepting smart meters as being a barrier to their immediate implemenation at the new lot.

Steckman said the solar-powered new smart meters, which also accept all denominations of silver coins, cost $495 apiece, versus the quarter-only meters, which cost $180 each.

The city's new lot may eventually get a more versatile payment system though, whether another payment station trial or card-accepting smart meters. It depends on the amount of revenue the new lot generates and if the city determines it to be cost-effective, the city administrator said, adding that since the location is new, it's too early to tell.

"We need to look at the whole year, not just a couple of months," he said.

The new smart meters were installed earlier this year, coincident with a rise rates for curbside metered parking from 50 cents to one dollar per hour.

The rate of parking in the city's parking deck has not changed, and the city is offering discounted evening rates in the deck as well in an effort to encourage locals and employees to park there more frequently during peak city visiting hours.

New Downtown Parking Lot Won't Get Smart Meters This Year

By Christina Georgiou

The City of Easton's newly acquired parking lot on North Fourth Street will likely open by June, but patrons of the lot will need to bring an ample supply of quarters if they intend to take advantage of the 10-hour time limit.

That's because Easton officials said at last week's city council meeting that they don't have enough smart meters, which accept credit and debit card payments, to spare to cover the 40 spaces the new lot will provide.

It will cost $20,000 to purchase enough of the solar-powered devices to furnish the new lot with the smart meters, as they are $500 apiece, said Mayor Sal Panto.

"We wanted to put them in there, but we just don't have the cash," the mayor said.

At the $1 per hour rate, those parking in the new lot will need an entire roll of quarters to take full advantage of long-term parking in that location. There are few shops in the immediate vicinity to provide the coins too, though it's doubtful most  merchants regularly carry that many to give out.

City administrator Glenn Steckman said it's possible a few spare smart meters might be reallocated to the lot this year.

"Right now, we could probably do a handful (of parking spots)," he said.

Adding a multi-spot payment box that does take card payments is a vague possibility at some point in the future, but Steckman said he doubts that is an ideal solution.

"After what we went through with the multi-space box on South Third Street, I'm not sure," he said. "I will tell you that we may come back next year and ask for more credit card meters, but it probably won't (cover all the places Downtown they're wanted.)...We'd like to do this in phases."

Steckman suggested a solution for the new parking lot on North Fourth Street for now might be to rely on it less for city visitor parking.

"We may also recommend that part of this lot be converted into a residential permit parking lot, and that would help," he said.

Steckman said that the current residential parking permit system allows residents to park on the street, where there are smart meters, and the city loses revenue when that happens.

"If a spot is being parked at by someone with a (annual) $100 residential permit, there's no revenue from that meter for a day or two," he said.

Credit and debit card payments at curbside meters are providing a substantial amount of revenue for the city, Steckman said, adding that $10,471 was collected via the method last month.

Panto noted that the annual rate for Downtown residential parking permits hasn't been raised in about 25 years. He also suggested the system should be changed to allow permit holders to park anywhere in the Downtown district, instead of specific zones, as the system currently allows.

"Originally, the program zoned based on where people were living, but now people are living everywhere Downtown, and some of them can't park," Panto said.

The mayor also said the city needs to put more effort into getting the word out about its new parking program for those employed Downtown in the evenings, which provides workers a discounted rate of 50 cents an hour in the parking deck on South Third Street after 5 p.m.

Historic District Commission Okays Demolition to Make Way for More Parking

By Christina Georgiou

Easton plans to demolish this  former bank drive-thru in the very near
future to make way for more parking.

 A small building that once housed a drive-thru bank at 39 North Fourth St. will be demolished to make way for more parking spaces in a lot the City of Easton acquired last month.

Easton's Historic District Commission gave the go-ahead with little discussion Monday night, other than to agree that elimination of the late 20th century brick building won't detract from the architectural charm of the city's downtown.

Currently, the lot, which was used for parking by former owner Scott Kindred before the city bought it for $120,000 on March 28 after threatening to acquire it by eminent domain, has 20 parking spaces, which will be increased to 38, including two handicapped parking spots, after the building is gone, said City Administrator Glenn Steckmann.

After the building is razed, the city will fix the asphalt, reroute the electrical service to the property, and add lighting. The parking area, which is currently a teardrop shape, will be made rectangular to accomodate more vehicles, said Public Works Director David Hopkins.

Getting the electrical service sorted out is the thing that will take the most time in the reconfiguration, Hopkins said, estimating the work should be completed by the end of May or at latest, by the middle of June.

Steckman said the project is important to the further development of Downtown.

"We're trying to get this ready in time for Crayola's reopening," Steckman said.

The lot will help by providing parking for the expected increase in number of Crayola Experience visitors this summer and while the new parking deck at the planned Transportation Center on South Third Street is under construction. After that, it will allow the city to be able to tear down and rebuild the parking deck on South Third and Pine streets, which accomodates about 375 vehicles, Steckman said.

The city intends the new parking area to be aimed more at city visitors than residents and will not be part of the city's residential parking permit program, Steckman said.

"There's actually plenty of parking for residents on the North Third Street lot down the street," he added.

The city recently chained off the lot in anticipation of making the planned changes to the newly-acquired property.

"Really, what it developed into was a free parking lot," Steckman said.

He added that when it's complete, the space will be reopened to the public at current parking rates.

"We'll get signs up to let everyone know it's there," Steckman said.

No Foolin', Parking Rules Will Be Enforced Starting April 1

By Christina Georgiou


One of the City of Easton's new solar-powered parking
meters. The new meters accept card payments, as well
as nickels, dimes, and quarters.



New parking regulations that were approved by Easton City Council late last year  technically went into effect at the beginning of 2013, but due to the practical considerations of installing new meters and signs, the city hasn't been enforcing the new rules.

All of that is set to change this Monday, on April 1, however, as parking enforcement officers will be actively ticketing those who don't feed their meters or overstay time limits without moving their vehicles, city officials warn.

The new hours for metered parking in the city's Downtown district are from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m., Monday through Saturday, and from noon to 6 p.m. on Sundays.

And, as those who park regularly in the city have probably already noticed, the price of metered curbside parking has also increased, to $1 per hour, which is now payable with a debit or credit card, as well as with change. The new solar-powered smart meters also accept silver coinage--that is, nickels, dimes, and quarters--instead of just quarters, which many had complained was limiting and inconvenient.

There is a $1 minimum fee for those using the card option, though there is no minimum payment for those paying with coins.

In less central areas of the Downtown district, the metered parking rate and times will be the same, but motorists may still need a supply of quarters, as not all the city's parking meters have been converted to those that accept card payments.

There is one consolation for those that get caught and ticketed for overtime parking violations: Those that pay their fine within 24 hours or by the close of the next business day, will get a break, and the fine will be reduced to $15.

The reduction is for overtime metered parking only, city officials have said, and won't be applicable for any other parking violations.

Also beginning on Monday, April 1, the city will once again begin its street sweeping program  for the year, and parking regulations designed to allow sweepers curb access will also be in effect.

Those that fail to move their cars during the designated days and times, as posted on the white signs with red lettering in sweeping zones, will be subject to a fine of $25.

There are no changes to the street sweeping program or schedule this year, but drivers should check the signs on city streets anyway, just to be certain they are aware of the proper times and days anyway, city officials said.

Parking Rate Increase Still Months Away

By Christina Georgiou

Easton's City Council approved an increase in metered parking rates from 50 cents an hour to a dollar per hour in December, and the law officially will take effect on Jan. 11, but the motorists aren't likely to be charged at the new rate until April, officials said Wednesday evening.

"We need to buy the (new smart) meters and install them," said City Administrator Glenn Steckman, estimating that the city will actually begin charging the new rate and enforcing extended hours--from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. and from noon to 6 p.m. on Sundays--beginning on April 1.

Switching to the new hours and rates isn't something the city can accomplish overnight, Steckman noted.

"You're talking about 500 to 600 meter heads here," he said.

Not all the Downtown parking meters will be converted to smart meters that accept credit cards, Steckman said--those will be placed at the busiest locations.

Meters in areas further from the commercial center of Downtown will be electronic Duncan meters, though those still need to be recalibrated to reflect the new rates. They also will get stickers to indicate the new hours of operation.

The city will also change the older meters batteries more frequently--every three months instead of every six months--to hopefully cut down on inoperative devices, the city administrator said. The city is also considering adding a phone number on the meters' stickers that people can call to report problems or inoperative devices, he added.

City parking lots will also be converted to central pay-box systems in the coming weeks. The parking lot pay boxes will be installed soon by city public works employees, Steckman said.

Those boxes, along with the new smart meters, will display the rates and hours of operation automatically, once placed.

"They'll have everything you need to know," Steckman said.

He estimated the converting the whole parking system over to the new rates and hours will take city workers a total of 30 to 40 days, barring bad weather.

"If we get a foot of snow, all bets are off on certain things, " he said.

Mayor Sal Panto said the city will be communicating with Easton Main Street and the Easton Business Association to keep city businesses in the loop about the coming changes, and that the city doesn't plan to take a hard line on enforcement as the new system is implemented.

"The first couple of weeks, we'll (have parking enforcement officers) give warnings after 6 p.m.," Panto said.

2013 City Budget Introduced, Includes Parking Meter Rate Hike

By Christina Georgiou

If Easton's 2013 proposed budget is passed as introduced Wednesday evening, drivers visiting the city will be paying twice the amount they are now to park curbside.

After several discussions on the matter, it seems clear that officials have determined to move ahead with the plan to raise metered parking rates in the Downtown district of the city to $1 per hour from the current 50 cents.

Meters will also be in operation from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m., and additionally from noon to 6 p.m. on Sundays, if council members approve the budget without changes, which seems likely. The extended hours are slightly less than what was originally proposed.

Other small changes were made in the final draft of the $31.2M budget proposal too, mostly to cover an approximately $161,000 gap left by increases in city sewer costs, which became apparent a few weeks ago.

But the job of shifting expenses was made easier by an increase in anticipated revenue from impact fees produced by 31 more table games at Bethlehem's Sands Casino.

"We're thankful we're at the table for the Sands table games," said Mayor Sal Panto at the council's Tuesday workshop meeting. "We weren't at the table for the slots, so we're only getting half of what we could have though."

With the additional anticipated revenue, the City of Easton expects to receive about $760,000 from the casino in 2013.

Also included in the budget are contributions to the city's Weed and Seed program ($55,500), the Miracle League baseball field in Palmer Township for handicapped children ($2,500), and to the Northampton County Historical and Genealogical Society-owned Bachmann Publick House ($10,000).

The contribution to the Miracle League field will give handicapped city children access to the field, city officials said.

"We don't do anything for menatally and physically handicapped children, and this gives us the opportunity to contribute to that," Panto said.

"It does provide a level of recreation that really does need a regional approach," said City Administrator Glenn Steckman.

The money going to the Bachmann tavern will be put towards repairing the pre-Revolutionary War era building a new roof, officials said, noting that Northampton County and the NCGHS will also contribute $10,000 each to the project.

Other than the parking changes, no one commented on the budget items.

However, the price hike in parking meters, along with the addition of Sunday hours of operation, met with more public opposition.

Marie Steltz, owner of Marie's Dance on Northampton Street, said the rate hike and extended hours has her concerned.

"Raising it to $1 may drive some business away," she said, noting that her clients mostly come in the evenings and then often go to a restaurant after classes. "They may decide to drive away (instead)."

City officials said the price is necessary and not out of line for the area, noting the increased price will be the same as the City of Bethlehem charges.

"I used to go to Downtown Bethlehem," Steltz said. "I don't any more."

Anthony Burks, a current giftshop owner in Bethlehem who is in the process of moving his business to South Second Street in Easton, said one of the reasons for his move is because Easton had a better parking situation.

"Parking meters are a huge hurt to businesses like mine," Burks said. "Do you know Bethlehem is circulating a petition to get all that changed? The meters are hurting business. From my experience...it's hurting more than it's helping. Maybe you'll consider letting that one free day stay."

"The last thing we want to do is hurt business in the city," Panto said, noting that parking revenue is set to go to both the Main Street and Ambassadors programs, which are designed to support businesses. "The concern I have is, the money has to come from someplace...I would love to take out meters, but your customers would have trouble parking."

The city budget and the measures that financially support it are set for a vote on Wednesday, Dec. 13, at the council's next regular meeting.

The Easton Home Rule Charter requires that a balanced budget be passed for the coming year by Dec. 15.

This Week in Easton, November 26 to 29

After an exciting Thanksgiving Day weekend, it's back to work for most of us, but that doesn't mean you still can't have some fun this week. Or, attend a local government meeting--with a number of budget and other important decisions on the table for the upcoming new year, now it the time to have your opinion  heard when it will count most...

Monday, November 26

Northampton County Gaming Revenue & Economic Redevelopment Authority meeting: 5:30 p.m. County Council Meeting Room/Room 3116, 3rd Floor, Northampton County Courthouse, 669 Washington St.

Palmer Township Shade Tree Commission meeting: 6:30 p.m. In the Palmer Library meeting room, at the Municipal Complex, 1 Weller Place (off of Newburg Road), Palmer Township.

Wilson Borough Council meeting: 7 p.m. 2040 Hay Terrace, Wilson Borough.

Forks Township Historical Society Meeting: 7 p.m. This month's program is "The Battle of Minisink" presented by author Peter Osborne. Easy parking and handicap accessible. All welcome. Faith Lutheran Church, 2012 Sullivan Trail, Forks Township. (Enter via Sullivan Trail or Zucksville Road.) For more information, contact Karl Miller at 610-253-1035.

Tuesday, November 27

Duplicate Bridge: 11:30 a.m. Open game. Temple Covenant of Peace, 1451 Northampton St. 610-253-2031

AARP Driver Safety Course: 1 to 5 p.m., with a second session 1 to 5 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 30. Participants must attend both session to be given a certificate of completion. $12 for members, $14 for non-members. In honor of veterans, this course is free this month for all veterans, spouses, children, grandchildren of veterans. Easton Public Library Palmer Branch, 1 Weller Place (off of Newburg Road), Palmer Township.

Northampton County 2013 Budget Hearing: 4 p.m. County Council Meeting Room/Room 3116, 3rd Floor,Northampton County Courthouse, 669 Washington St.

Easton City Council 2013 Budget Hearing: 6 p.m. Session will also include final discussion on parking meter rate hikes.  City Hall, city council chambers, sixth floor, 1 South Third St.


Palmer Adult Book Group: 6 to 7:30 p.m. Easton Public Library Palmer Branch, 1 Weller Place (off of Newburg Road), Palmer Township. 610-258-7492 or visit www.eastonpl.org/PalmerBranch.htm

Palmer Township Board of Supervisors meeting: 7 p.m. In the Palmer Library meeting room, at the Municipal Complex, 1 Weller Place (off of Newburg Road), Palmer Township.

Forks Township Planning Commission workshop: 7 p.m. Forks Township Municipal Complex, 1606 Sullivan Trail, Forks Township.

Line Dancing: 7 to 9:30 p.m. Beginner lesson at 7:15 p.m. $5 for members, $6 for non-members. Tatamy Fire Company, 164 Bushkill St., Tatamy. 610-759-2786 or www.purecountrydancers.com

Wednesday, November 28

AARP Driver Safety Refresher Course: 1 to 5 p.m. $12 for members, $14 for non-members. In honor of veterans, this course is free this month for all veterans, spouses, children, grandchildren of veterans. Easton Public Library Palmer Branch, 1 Weller Place (off of Newburg Road), Palmer Township.

Northampton County Industrial Development Authority meeting: 3 p.m. NCID Authority Office, Northampton County Courthouse, 669 Washington St. For more information, contact Alicia Karner, 610-559-3200 (option 3).

Easton City Council regular meeting: 6 p.m. City Hall, city council chambers, 6th floor, 1 South Third St.

Easton Area Public Library's Holiday Book Sale Preview: 6 to 8 p.m. For Friends of the Library only. Membership forms are available at the Main Library and the Palmer and South Side Branches, as well as at www.eastonpl.org. Forms will not be available at the door.  Many of the books are in very good condition and include a wide variety of newly published editions and old classics. Prices range from 50 cents to $1. Enter at the Fifth Street entrance, lower level. 515 Church St. Call 610-258-2917, ext. 307 for more information.

Palmer Township Environmental Steering Committee meeting: 7 p.m. In the Palmer Library meeting room, at the Municipal Complex, 1 Weller Place (off of Newburg Road), Palmer Township.

Williams Township Zoning Hearing Board meeting: 7 p.m. Williams Township Municipal Building, 655 Cider Press Road, Williams Township.

Texas Hold'em: 7 & 9 p.m. Free. La Pazza, 1251 Ferry St. 610-515-0888 or www.lapazza.com

Traditional Irish open jam session: 7:30 p.m. Porters' Pub, 700 Northampton St. 610-250-6561 or www.porterspubeaston.com

Thursday, November 29

Easton Area Public Library's Holiday Book Sale: 2 to 7 p.m. Many of the books are in very good condition and include a wide variety of newly published editions and old classics. Prices range from 50 cents to $1. Sale continues on Friday, Nov. 30, Saturday, Dec. 1 (half-price day) and on Monday, Dec. 3 (bag day). Enter at the Fifth Street entrance, lower level. 515 Church St. 610-258-2917, ext. 307

Williams Township Planning Commission meeting: 7 p.m. Williams Township Municipal Building, 655 Cider Press Road, Williams Township.

The Ernie Stadler Jazz Quartet: 8 to 11 p.m. Porters' Pub, 700 Northampton St. 610-250-6561 or www.porterspubeaston.com

Bring (or wear) Your Own Vinyl night: 8 p.m. to midnight. DJs Ernie and/or Will. Black & Blue, 683 Walnut St. 610-438-3604 or blackandblueeaston.com

American Myth: 9:30 p.m. Pearly Bakers, 11 Centre Square. 610-253-9949 or www.pearlybakers.net

"This Week in Easton" lists what's happening during the weekdays, from special events to who's playing to government meetings, all in one handy place. Not just in the City of Easton, but for the entire greater Easton area...Published every Monday morning!

Is there a community or entertainment event you'd like to see here? Are you organizing something you'd like to have posted? Did we miss something? Email us!

Public Airs Thoughts on Proposed Metered Parking Rate Hike

By Christina Georgiou

A number of members of the Easton business community, along with Easton City Council members, offered their thoughts on the possibility of city officials voting to raise the rate for metered parking rates and extending meters' hours of operation at the city council meeting Wednesday evening.

Several business owners spoke against the doubling of the rate, though none seemed as upset about the idea of going from the current 50 cents an hour to 75 cents.

Others felt running the meters until 9 p.m. was too much.

Anthony Marraccini, who is a board member of the Greater Easton Development Partnership (GEDP) as well as co-owner of Connexions gallery, said he feels that $1 per hour has the potential to drive away customers.

"I'm deeply concerned abou this proposal. The restaurant sector is doing well...the retail sector is struggling," Marraccini said. "I feel like we're missing the boat a bit with people doing what they're supposed to do...On my block, it's an issue of compliance. If I see half the people feeding the meter, that's a lot."

While some of the money from the proposed increase would go to pay for solar-powered smart meters, Easton officials have said the new revenue generated by increased rates and extended times will support GEDP and its Main Street Initiative and Amabassadors--both programs many cite as being vital to the city's continued growth as a destination and attraction.

Easton Business Association president Curt Ehly said the move would likely be a damper on  these goals.

"We're kind of at a tipping point, and this could tip things the other way," Ehly said. "We're not Bethlehem. It's going in a Bethlehem direction, but we're not Bethlehem."

Ehly also worried increased revenue would go to paying for increased sewer costs more than the GEDP programs.

"I would like to see the sewer rate increases passed on to us (instead)," he said.

Easton School of Rock owner Ray Thierrin said he worried what extending metered parking hours into the evenings would do to his business, which is largely composed of underage students driven to evening lessons by their parents who often wait for their kids rather than drive back home.

"It will hurt if people have to pay an extra $2 just to enjoy our lobby," Thierrin said.

He added that he's willing to help find a way to help them around that.

"The reason we're in Easton is because of the Main Street program," Thierrin said. "Part of the attraction is what's going on. If there's a way the businesses can help with parking, I'm all for it."

While his business is service-oriented and doesn't have evening hours, American Printing owner Fran Pinter expressed concerns at the proposed new hours.

"I think the hours are wrong," Pinter said. "I really think you need to evaluate whether 9 in the evening is the right thing...You're going to piss off more people. I think we could easitly add an hour, but I don't think 9 o'clock makes sense."

He added, "I can guarantee more people will go to park illegally in (private) lots where they don't belong."
Pinter also said he feels the proposal to ticket "lazy double parking" is unenforceable.

And, the residential parking permit system needs some tweaking too, he said, and the city should especially consider adding a probationary period for new residents to allow them time to make the proper license and registration changes to get their stickers.

Mayor Sal Panto said after his daughter had problems getting a residential permit, he agrees with the idea, and also that if the new parking proposals pass, he'd like to expand the Downtown resident permit parking areas as well.

Panto also said the city is looking at the possibility of lowering evening rates at the city parking from 5 p.m. to 5 a.m. to 50 cents per hour to encourage more people to park there, especially those who work in the city or, like Thierrin's clients, really don't need street parking.

He added that the city will look at selling $1 disposable cards that can be used in the new smart meters as well, which will be sold to interested city businesses so they can hand them out to customers.

Several council members seem sold on the full rate hike. Speaking in favor of it were councilmen Michael Fleck and Kenneth Brown.

"We have to stop kicking the can down the road," Brown said. "I'm in support of raising the meters, uniformly, across the board."

"We're trying to save Main street and Ambassadors, and somebody has to pay for it," Fleck said.

Others, including El Warner, Roger Ruggles and Jeff Warren seem lukewarm to the full scope of the idea.

Warren has previously said he feels doubling the rate may be too much of a shock to the community.

"With the proposal at 75 cents, it seemed like those programs were secure," Warren said.

While Fleck said out that technically the city ordinance that allows for the rates to be raised is already on the books, passed in a former city budget in 2005, Warner said she thinks it's too much, and that the measure was slipped through.

"I'm not even sure council meant to pass that ordinance. It was an accident," she said. "They just passed the budget."

Councilwoman Sandra Vulcano has said little during the discussions, but offered that she'd like to see a trolley service added.

"Personally, I'd like to see a trolley at the parking garage that would take you to wherever," she said.

Panto said he's still open-minded about the matter, despite having raised the issue of a further hike. But there may not be as much of a choice as before, he warned.

"Our budget is out of balance now. Our sewer authority bill is going up $161,000. It's just like the commuter tax. If we didn't enact the commuter tax, we'd be $3.1 million short," he said. "I will cut the budget before I raise taxes."

The parking rate hike proposal is planned to be discussed again at the city's next budget proposal hearing on Tuesday, Nov. 27 at 6 p.m. in city council chambers in City Hall.

The budget is set to be introduced on Wednesday, Nov. 28, and a final draft will likely be passed on Wednesday, Dec. 13 to comply with the city's Home Rule requirement that a balanced budget be passed by Dec. 15.

Current Parking Rates Could Double, Run 12 Hours Per Day

By Christina Georgiou

Easton City Council members considered further raising parking rates from the current 50 cents an hour to $1 and enforcing metered parking on most days of the week for 12 hours a day at their budget discussion Tuesday evening.

"I don't see any reason we shouldn't go 'til 9," said councilman Roger Ruggles. "It's just easier to remember, 9 to 9...It's just less confusing."\

"I'm on the same page as that--uniformity," said fellow councilman Ken Brown.

With a minimum charge for those using credit cards at the new smart meters the city is testing being $1, the council also seems inclined to making the rate for metered street parking $1 per hour too.

"I think we need to go to $1 too," said Mike Fleck, who also added he feels the city should add a way for those who are ticketed to pay parking fines online.

City officials also said they are considering running metered parking on Sundays, from noon to 9 p.m. as well.

"Here's the question: Do you want Main Street and Ambassadors? This is a great use for that money," said Mayor Sal Panto.

"In 2005, city council raised the rates to a dollar, but then there was a push back," he added.

Only Councilman Jeff Warren voiced uncertainty about doubling the rates.

"I don't believe 75 cents is unreasonable. Is $1 unreasonable? Not necessarily, but that's still a bit of a shock," he said. "A good way to polit the baby is we do the dollar when the new technology comes in."

Some of the rate hike and projected increased revenue from extended meter enforcement times will go to pay for 200 new solar-powered smart meters the city wants to replace some of their 936 parking meters with, city officials have said. While they would be paid for over several years, at about $500 apiece, plus another $30,000 to $40,000 for multi-space meters at city parking lots, the new equipment still needs to be paid for, something a rate hike would do.

Lt. Matthew Lohenitz, who heads the traffic division for the Easton Police Department, said the new meters are easily programmable and that configuring them to be able to take more denominations of change would allow visitors that are just running in and out of shops to be able to just drop small change in their meter rather than having to spend a whole dollar.

"During the day, they're short stays," said Lohenitz of people's parking times. "you're evening stays are the longest, but we're not enforcing then."

"I really don't think people will change their shopping habits over a quarter," said city finance director Chris Heagele.

"The extra quarter could generate an extra $150,000 that could go to Ambassadors and Main Street," Fleck said.

The days of free parking on Sundays also seems likely to end too.

"I talked with the Downtown pastors, and obviously they're concerned," Panto said. "(But) we're paying $500,000 to keep Crayola here, and we need to recoup that."

Panto said parking enforcement times should be noon to 9 p.m. on Sundays because that would reflect when Crayola's opening time. He added that those attending church could be given a placard to put on their cars reflecting that, so they wouldn't be ticketed.

The mayor noted that the change would likely mean the city would issue--and see revenue--from more resident parking permits too.

"As we encourage more people to live Downtown, we want more people to get a parking permit," he said. "We need to do a better job on getting the word out (about them)," Panto said.

Resident parking permits for Downtown residents are $100 per year, and $60 for seniors.

The matter is to be discussed again at Wednesday evening's city council meeting, and the mayor said he encourages the public to join the discussion.

"This needs to get out for us by tomorrow, so people can tell us why we shouldn't do this," he said. "Or why we should."

Panto added that while parking rates may go up, not all areas of the city will immediately be getting the new smart meters.

"They don't become cost effective in all areas. You don't want to put them on Bushkill Street," he said. "In the next few years though, maybe the cost of the wifi will get cheaper, and maybe we'll do all of them."

City council meets again this evening at 6 p.m. on the sixth floor of City Hall, 1 South Third St., where it is expected the matter will be discussed again. The public is encouraged to attend.

Free Parking Approved for the Holiday Season

By Christina Georgiou

While the rates for metered parking may rise for 2013, most holiday shoppers won't have to pay anything at all to park in Downtown Easton on weekend during the holiday season.

Easton City Council members unanimously approved a resolution Wednesday evening that calls for meters to be bagged on Black Friday, and on Saturdays and Sundays thereafter through December.

"We don't actually need Sundays since we don't charge on Sundays," Councilwoman El Warner pointed out.

"We could have an ordinance that provides for Sunday parking before the end of the year," said City Administrator Glenn Steckman.

"We're not going to though," Warner replied.

Downtown parking last year was also free at most locations, with ribbons and a message on the meters that stayed up for the season, but city officials say bagging designated meters is a better option.

"Last year we put ribbons on the meters and people still plugged the meters (with money) so we went to bags this year," said Mayor Sal Panto, adding, "People would see 'free' and get ticketed on weekdays."

A parking enforcement officer will be assigned the duty of bagging and unbagging the meters late on Fridays and early on Mondays.

"Volunteers were suggested, but there could be problems with that," Steckman said.

While the approved measure doesn't state specifically which metered parking areas will be gratis, officials said the areas will include all three Downtown parking lots, Northampton Street from Green Street to Sixth Street and streetside metered parking from Second to Fourth streets and Spring Garden to Ferry streets. Additionally, South Third Street meters beyond Ferry Street will likely be free too.

"It's got to be fair and consistent (to Downtown shops)," Panto said. "Monarch's has been there for 100 years."

The city will likely lose some revenue on the move since no one will be putting change in the bagged devices as they have in past years despite they're being free, but the loss is worth it, Steckman said.

He added that during the period that meters are bagged, the city will also not be enforcing the posted two-hour time limits as strictly so shoppers can take their time in stores and restaurants.

"We wanted to partner with Main Street on this," Steckman said.

Administrators Present Parking Revenue Estimates at Budget Discussion

By Christina Georgiou

Easton City Council members were presented with parking revenue estimates for 2013 during budget discussions at their workshop meeting Tuesday evening.

The numbers were requested after the initial proposed budget presentation by Mayor Sal Panto earlier this month.

Purchasing solar-powered smart meters that take credit and debit
card payments are part of the city administration's
2013 budget proposal.

A rate increase from the current 50 cents to 75 cents an hour at curbside meters will likely net the city an additional $150,000, while if the rate were raised to $1 per hour, the city would raise $250,000 more than in 2012, estimated city Finance Director Chris Heagele.

Running metered curbside parking times from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., instead of the current 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., would likely net the city an additional $65,000. Adding metered parking on Sundays from 1 to 5 p.m. would likely raise $50,000 more in revenue, Heagele said.

"All these numbers are conservative, not liberal (estimates)," Panto added.

All told, the changes and potential rate hike could net the city between $265,000 and $365,000 more parking revenue next year, discounting expenditures associated with the changes.

On the expenditure side of the potential plan, adding multi-space meter boxes to city parking lots would likely cost $40,000, replacing and changing various parking signs, including signage to change the time limit from two to three hours in most areas, would run about $10,000, and the proposed smart meters that would take credit card payments would be about $100,000, members of the administration estimated.

Additionally, giving parking violators a $5 break on their fines if they pay them within one business day would eat about $25,000 in city revenue, the city administrators said.

City Administrator Glenn Steckman said the costs associated with purchasing new smart meters and the parking lot pay systems wouldn't be borne in one year, but stretched out over several years.

When it comes to the multi-space pay stations too, the city needs to test the idea out and see how it goes before a final decision is made, he added.

"We're not just going out and putting in this equipment," Steckman said. "We want to test first and see how it's going to be used."

He said officials expect the pay stations are likely to be more useful and heavily trafficked at places where city visitors park often, such as at the South Third Street parking lot, more than at one where there is a higher proportion of residents' permit parking, such as at the city-owned parking lot on Church Street.

The cost of signs, Steckman said, is somewhat unavoidable whether the city decides to change parking time limits or not.

"The signage, some of that's already in the budget," he said. "We're always replacing signs."

The city is also planning on spending a bit more on parking enforcement personnel in 2013, regardless of whether the rates are raised.

Hiring a full-time parking enforcement officer supervisor is necessary for higher efficiency and good parking enforcement management, Steckman said.

The move would eliminate one part-time position and create a full-time position with benefits, costing the city about $20,000 more.

"It's what we think is a good use, which, frankly, would result in more tickets being issued," Steckman said.

Currently, the city tickets only about 8-9 percent of those parked after meters expired, officials said.

"Ninety-one to 92 percent of expired meters are still going unticketed," confirmed Easton Police Chief Carl Scalzo.

Still, that is two to three times the estimated percentage of those ticketed earlier this year, when the "capture" rate was in the 2 to 5 percent range.

Current digital meters provide the numbers, Scalzo said, noting that they send a signal to enforcement of their status when cars are parked but the meter has expired.

Parking violation fines account for the greatest amount of traffic-related revenue for the city. By comparison, moving violations are likely to put less than $100,000 into city coffers.

"My guess is that it will be at $80,000 to $100,000 for this year," Heagele said. "I don't think we'll go past six figures this year."

"I think it comes down to a best guess situation when it comes to what's being written," Scalzo added.

The proposed 2013 city budget doesn't include any tax hikes, but some fees will be raised or added if budget passes as presented.

While the bulk of those are likely to be mostly in planning and codes fees and are planned to be discussed at the next budget discussion, officials did mention they are leaning towards adding a billing fee to trash and sewer costs.

"We are recommending a $2 a month bill fee--$1 for trash, $1 for sewer--to help with mailing costs," Heagele said, adding the charge would be waived for those recorded with the city as being senior citizens.

Additionally, in 2013, the city expects to spend less on highway cleanup.

"That's directly related to a mild winter last year. Our barns are full (of road salt)," Heagele said.

But the Crayola Experience expansion will likely cost the city a bit more than just the last $100,000 installment of a total $300,000 payment to McDonalds to entice them to move out of their Northampton Street location this past September.

The Crayola store is planning on vacating the space in the Alpha Building it currently rents from the city to reopen in the same space as the children's interactive museum.

"We're assuming that it will remain vacant through the end of the year," Heagele said. "We're taking a conservative approach (when it comes to potential revenue."

Panto said the Crayola Experience is planning on closing for three months at the beginning of 2013, from January through March, to enable its planned expansion.

Another 2013 city budget disscussion, to review and discuss city expenditures, along with a detailed presentation of possible rate hikes for city planning and code enforcement, is set for Tuesday, Oct. 30, at 6 p.m.

City Council Hears More on Parking Meter Proposal

By Christina Georgiou

After discussing the possibility of enacting additional fines for "lazy double parking" at their workshop meeting Tuesday evening, members of city council heard a presentation on the proposed metered parking rate hike and the administration's plan for installing smart meters that accept credit and debit cards in the most heavily trafficked parts of Downtown Easton.

City Administrator Glenn Steckman said the rate increase, already enacted by city ordinance but not yet implemented, would increase revenue and would be used to create a dedicated funding stream for the Greater Easton Development Partnership and also help fund future parking mananagement system growth.

While most of the presentation further explained changes that might come with the 2013 budget if it is approved as the administration is proposing, Wednesday evening's presentation did include some minor changes and clarifications.

Specifically the plan would:

• Change the hours of meter operation and parking enforcement of all Downtown parking meters to 9 a.m. to 8 p.m., Monday through Saturday
• Put metered parking into operation in some locations Downtown from noon to 5 p.m. on Sundays, most likely on or south of Northampton Street and on the Centre Square
• Increase the time limit for Downtown street parking except on Centre Square from two to three hours
• Install about 200 smart meters in the Downtown core, from Second to Fourth streets and from Spring Garden to Ferry streets
• Install multi-space payment boxes at three surface parking lots at an estimated cost of $24,000 to $40,000, with the variable in price being dependent on the type of box and its capabilities the city chooses
• Offer a discount of $5 on all parking tickets paid within 24 hours, with the discount offer for those being issued on a Friday, Saturday or Sunday being good through the close of the business day on Monday
• Add better signage to guide city visitors to parking areas
• Create a pass program for those who work nights to park at a discounted rate in the city parking garage

Steckman said the city would also consider lowering the rate for parking in the deck from $1 per hour to 50c and hour between 5 and 9 p.m.

City council members offered various opinions on parts of the proposal.

Councilman Roger Ruggles, whose wife Sue Ruggles leads the congregation at St. John's Lutheran Church on Ferry Street, said he didn't like the idea of charging on Sundays.

"I'd be really, really, really against this one," Ruggles said. "For one thing, 12 o'clock is too early."

"The whole reason here is to capture Crayola. Crayola is going to be bringing in more people, and we need to pay for Ambassadors and stuff," Mayor Sal Panto said.

Councilwoman El Warner said the time change and having metered parking at only some locations on Sundays seemed inconsistent.

"Either do it six days a week, or do it seven days a week. But don't do it halfway," she said.

Panto said the estimated increase in revenue would be about $235,000. While that's less than the city's contribution to GEDP, it's approximately the difference between the annual $170,000 the city has given to the organization in the past and the $355,000 it plans to contribute for 2013, he added.

The remainder would go toward funding an additional parking enforcement officer, which would cost the city about $60,000 including salary and benefits.

Warner questioned how much purchasing smart meters would cut into the estimated revenue increase.

"I want to know exactly how much we're paying and how much we'll make," she said.

Panto said the purchase cost wouldn't cut into the revenue increase because the city would be using its capital funds to "loan" the money to itself, but the revenue would be going into the city's operating budget.

"Regardless, we really still need to upgrade the technology," he said.

Steckman added that the majority of the increased revenue would be coming from the anticipated increase in traffic from additional Crayola visitors generated by their expansion.

"The value is from replacing some of our (old mechanical meters) that keep breaking down and selling them. They do have value, even if it's just scrap metal," he said.

Some members of council also wondered if it would be better to alter the proposal to run meters for 12 hours a day.

Panto said the administration will bring estimates of what it thinks would be generated if the hours of operation were either 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. or 10 a.m. to 10 p.m., and also estimates of what would be generated if the city were to raise rates to $1 per hour instead.

Councilman Jeff Warren said he feels that would be too much.

"I could support 75c but not a dollar," he said. "I think going from 50c to $1 (per hour) would just send shock waves through the community."

"We will put together an entire matrix (of the possibilities)," Panto said, adding that the administration will have it done in time  to present it for the city budget hearing on Tuesday, October 13.

City Council Mulls "Lazy Double Parking" Ordinance

By Christina Georgiou

The discussion of a possible "lazy double parking" ordinance continued at the Easton City Council workshop meeting Tuesday evening.

If enacted as discussed, the new law, similar to one recently passed in Allentown, would impose a $100 fine on those who double park when street parking is open and available within a short distance--20 feet is the limit being considered. The fine would increase another $25 if it's not paid within 7 days, and could escalate up to an additional $50 on top of the initial $100 fine after that.

The "lazy double parking" fine would presumably be imposed on top of a parking fine for the infraction of double parking, which is already illegal in the city.

Councilman Jeff Warren who heads the council's public safety committee, said it's not his intention to bolster city finances with the proposed ordinance.

"We're not trying to ticket our way to budget salvation," Warren said. "What this is meant to do is give the police department another tool."

He added, "Quite frankly, if you double park when there's a space 20 feet away, you deserve to be ticketed."

Warren said a new law is needed because he's had "numerous" complaints from merchants about double parking by delivery trucks.

But Councilwoman El Warner questioned the need for a separate law to deal with the issue, noting that the Easton Police Department has issued just seven tickets for double parking in the last six months.

"Why not just enforce the ordinance we already have? It's already illegal to double park. Why not just make it a huge fine to double park if it's an issue?"Warner asked, adding that proving a driver double parked when an open spot was available might be difficult in court.

The enforcement officer would have to directly witness the event, which would only happen by chance, she said.

Warren said that issuing 'lazy double parking' tickets would be a matter of police discretion.

EPD Chief Carl Scalzo said the measure might be difficult to make stick in court, unless it was clear that a car couldn't have pulled out of an open spot during the time an offender was double parked.

Mayor Sal Panto said the real offenders when it comes to 'lazy double parking' are delivery trucks, who he said often disregard open spaces and fail to pull off the streets when making deliveries.

"That's what really bothers me," Panto said. "I understand the need to be business friendly, but when they blatently disregard like that..."

City Administrator Glenn Steckman said he's in favor of the measure.

"I think it adds a little extra sting," he said.

Warren agreed.

"I simply think that having this on the books will be a deterrent. It's about sending a serious message to people that chronically do this."

No firm date was set, but it's expected that Warren will officially  introduce a lazy double parking bill in the next few weeks.

Warner also brought up the idea of the city offering dedicated motor scooter and motorcycle parking.

She said that when parking her scooter, she often gets dirty looks from motorists for taking up a metered street spot with such a small  vehicle, but parking a scooter on the sidewalk or at a bike rack is illegal in Pennsylvania.

"It just seems like it would make sense," Warner said.

She added that such spaces could be designated where there isn't sufficient space for a car, such as at the end of a block, and that designated motorcycle and scooter spaces might not necessarily need to be metered.

But Warren objected to the idea that two-wheeled vehicles be allowed to park for free.

"I'd be concerned we'd be sending the message that scooters and motorcycles don't have to pay, but (cars) do," Warren said.

Warner said such possibly free parking spots might not be located in the most prime Downtown locations, but require users to walk a little further. She added that she didn't think others would think of the spots being free would necessarily think the drivers of motorcycles and scooters were privileged.

"I've never gone past a handicapped spot and thought, 'Aren't those  people lucky,'" she said.

Panto said he thought the idea might be a good one.

"I think in the places where there's not room for a full spot...you don't have sight line problems because motorcycles and scooters are only so high," the mayor said.

PennDOT regulations allow for as many motorcycles or scooters as can safely fit to occupy a spot.

City officials also discussed possibly implementing an ordinance requiring the owners of private parking lots to post better signs advising the public they could be towed if the lots don't allow public parking.

In response to a number of complaints from city visitors who were towed after parking at a private lot at South Second and Ferry streets, Panto said such signage might be a good idea.

The cars, towed at the lot owner's request, were unable to be retrieved for days due to the private towing company not keeping weekend hours, Panto noted, adding that the visitors were from out of town, which made retrieving their cars particularly difficult.

"Getting towed away and not getting your car back until Monday isn't acceptable," Panto said.

But the city may have no control over the policies or choice of towing company in the case of private lots, Steckmann said. However, warning sign requirements may be enacted by the city.

A requirement for signs to be more visibly posted throughout such lots may be in the near future, though the mayor said he'd rather work with lot owners to convince them to allow public parking when they aren't using their lots.

"We'd pick up the insurance for parking after hours and on weekends," Panto said. "That's not a problem."

Council delayed discussing the ideas of raising the metered parking rate or purchase of smart meters Tuesday evening, with Warner saying that she'd like to see the plan or a presentation of the idea at the Wednesday evening city council meeting instead. She added she thinks a number of members of the public will be on hand to express their opinions too.

It's unclear whether that presentation will happen tonight, at the October 10 meeting, though.

"The goal is to create a dedicated revenue stream for GEDP," Steckman said of the proposed plan. "It would also go toward a parking management system."

2013 May Bring Parking Meter Rate Increase

By Christina Georgiou

Visitors and residents that come to Easton's Downtown and want to park curbside and in metered ground-level city-owned will pay a little more next year, if city council approves the proposed 2013 budget as presented by Mayor Sal Panto Monday evening.

The current rate is 50c an hour, but the plan is to raise metered parking to 75c per hour and extend hours of operation, with metered parking in effect from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., and also adding metered hours on Sundays from 1 to 5 p.m. in the prime commercial areas of the city, namely at metered spots from the Centre Square south along Third Street.

A city ordinance allowing for the increase was already passed earlier this year Panto said, but the changes have not been put into effect.

Panto said the Sunday hours were added to capture increased revenue from city visitors on a prime weekend day, but the expanded area and times will hopefully not impact locals attending services at local churches.

The administration also wants to install new smart meters that can accept credit cards at curbside locations and a kiosk system at city surface lots that will also allow users to pay with plastic, eliminating a possible scrambling for quarters to “feed the meter.” Card users will have to deposit at least $1, but the meters and kiosks will also still accept quarters for those that wish to pay cash. 



Photos of IPS Group's smart meters
from Bethlehem's test run last summer.
The sophisticated devices run on
solar power and users can pay either
with quarters or by credit or debit
card. Additionally, the meters
communicate with parking enforcement
officers and can reprogrammed with
whatever changes a municipality
chosses via wifi connection instead of
requiring each to be changed
individually by hand.



Easton Police have contracted to test both systems, Panto said, and about 50 solar smart meters from IPS Group Inc. are likely to appear in the most heavily trafficked parking spots near the county courthouse in about a month. The test period is to last for 60 to 90 days, he added.

The meters are identical to ones that were tested in Bethlehem's historic district last year. City officials refused to estimate the total cost for purchasing a total of 250 meter heads that would be installed in the most heavily trafficked section of the Downtown area—specifically between Second and Fourth streets and Spring Garden and Ferry streets—with another 50 solar smart meters to be placed in the most used street-side spots in the courthouse district in the city's West Ward, saying they are still negotiating the possible deal.


However, City Administrator Glenn Steckman said they do hope to haggle a better deal than Bethlehem. Last year, Bethlehem estimated IPS devices as costing about $600 per meter head.

Cited advantages of the smart meters include being wi-fi capable and able to communicate their status to enforcement officials, letting them know which are expired, or even jammed so maintenance calls happen immediately. Additionally, the sophisticated IPS devices are capable of being topped off via a cell phone, though no mention of that feature was made Monday evening, and the feature wouldn't work for those that were already at the meter's maximum time limit, which is three hours at most Downtown spots and two in the Centre Square. After the limit is reached, the vehicle would still have to be moved.

Panto said the city will either negotiate a zero-percent loan with IPS if it's offered or “borrow” the money from the city's capital improvements fund, with payments from parking revenues paying back the fund over a period of about three years.

Steckman added that if the test is successful and city official approve the budget with the increased rates, meters might be installed all at once, or they might happen instead in increments.



“It all depends,” Steckman added. “We don't want to go out and purchase this to find out we didn't need it.”

Additionally, he said that parking meters outside the planned areas in the Downtown will not be upgraded as he doesn't feel the upgrade would yield revenue to justify the costs at this point.

The city will also test a parking kiosk at it's surface lot on South Third Street. That system, provided by Parkeon, will also accept credit and debit cards, as well as cash. Unlike some systems that require drivers to physically walk a payment receipt back to their vehicles and display them on the dashboard, the Parkeon system will ask users to enter their parking spot number, which will be displayed on the poles formerly occupied by meters to be clearly visible, said Easton Police Chief Carl Scalzo.

Under both new systems, parking rates per hour will be the same for those who pay either by cash or by card—however the minimum payment amount will be $1 for those who pay with plastic.

The minimum is necessary to cover processing and wifi fees associated with card use, city officials said.

Times and rates in the city's parking deck on South Third Street will remain unchanged if the plan goes through, but a plan to offer parking in the deck to restaurant employees and others who work night hours Downtown would be put into place, with a suggested cost of $10 per month, Panto said.

City council members mostly offered no comments, having not yet had a chance to look at the proposed budget in detail Monday evening. However, Councilwoman El Warner seemed initially opposed to suggestion of an increase in rates and times.

“So I suppose we really don't need to approve this, since you've already ordered the machines?” she asked Panto.

The mayor said that with the changes already approved earlier this year by the council, passing the budget without changes would trigger the plan.

“So if we really don't want to go to 75c per hour, and we can find some alternative, we can do that,” Warner replied.

City budget documents indicate the city will receive almost $390,000 from parking meter fees and about $618,250 in parking fines this year. If the proposed budget is passed as presented, that revenue is estimated to climb to $500,000 in fees and about $625,000 annually in 2013.

The additional estimated $117,000 would go towards a proposed $355,000 that is earmarked to support the Greater Easton Development Partnership (GEDP) and the programs it oversees—the Easton Main Street Intiative, Easton Ambassadors and the Easton Farmers' Market, Panto said.

Also expected to be weighed concurrently, but separately from the budget discussions, is the possibility of extra fines for “lazy double parking” or penalizing those who double park when adjacent parking spots are readily available.