New City Ordinance Will Allow More Time to Pay Tickets

By Christina Georgiou

Introduced at the City of Easton council meeting Wednesday evening, a new ordinance will modify the existing provisions and allow up to 90 days for those who receive parking tickets to pay their fines before the ticket is sent to the local magistrate's office. Currently, the limit is 60 days.

But, while council members seem favorably disposed to the new measure, which is set to be voted on at their next regular meeting in two weeks, some questioned the logic of the fine schedule.

Councilman Roger Ruggles noted that the fine for parking in three College Hill registered permit parking zones without a permit escalates to a $110 fine if paid 61 to 90 days after the ticket was issued, while other violations escalate to a $95 penalty in the same time period. Both sets of infractions initially carry a $50 fine, if paid within one business day of the violation.

"Someone could park in front of a fire hydrant and they'd pay less of a penalty than this," he said. "I just don't understand why these are the most severe penalties on the list, when I see things on the list that to my mind are much more severe."

Councilman Jeff Warren, who introduced the bill, said he agreed that some of the escalating fine amounts should be looked at and possibly changed before it's passed.

Mayor Sal Panto agreed as well, noting that one infraction on the list, "unauthorized parking on private property" may not be enforceable, as the city isn't allowed to issue tickets to vehicles that aren't in a public space.

City Administrator Glenn Steckman said he'd have the police department review the matter and provide city council members with the results of their review.

Minor changes to the bill could be accomplished with amendments before its passage, the council noted, though if substantial changes are made, it will have to be re-introduced before council votes on the measure.

Increasing the limit of time people have to pay parking fines is part of the city's plan to allow online and electronic payment of those penalties, Steckman said.

City of Easton Hopes to Upgrade Technology Soon

By Christina Georgiou

New City of Easton IT Manager Frank Caruso outlines a
plan to upgrade the city's technology at the city council
committee meeting Tuesday evening.

The City of Easton is planning to upgrade its computer system and make other technology improvements in coming months in a drive for greater efficiency, it was revealed during a city council committee meeting Tuesday evening.

IT Manager Frank Caruso, who began working for the city about six weeks ago, outlined the beginnings of a plan to use technology to modernize a number of city systems, including the introduction of electronic card payment options to pay parking tickets and city utility and trash bills.

While the entire municipal system won't be completely integrated at first, integration is the goal, Caruso said, and eventually, members of the public will be able to pay bills and parking fines online.

The payment system at city hall will also be getting an upgrade in the near future too, he said.

"We may be looking at a kiosk system, where people can walk up and pay a parking ticket, (or) their utility bills," Caruso said, adding that the terminal would be similar to an ATM.

Currently, payments are recorded manually by city employees, and Easton doesn't accept credit and debit cards, he said.

Other tech upgrades are being planned too, including a new phone system and the "virtualization" of city computers, Caruso said.

A slide from Tuesday evening's presentation shows how
the city's phone system could be integrated to save
Easton money and pay for a new phone system.

Officials said that integrating the municipal phone system between 11 city properties would save Easton an estimated $10,000 per year, and that savings would more than pay for a new phone system over time.

The current city phone system was installed when the Alpha Building became the site of Easton city hall, about 17 years ago.

"It's on its last legs. We're hoping it's going to last," Caruso said.

The new IT manager also hopes to upgrade city computers in the near future, likely by installing a central server system and storing city data "in the cloud" where it could be accessed remotely both by desktop computers in city hall and by mobile devices employees could carry in the field when away from their desks, he said.

"You'll be able to take your iPads, your iPhones, on the road with you, and you'll be able to work like you're sitting at your desk," he said, noting this would be especially helpful for the city code inspectors and other employees who work in locations other than their desks a good portion of the time.

The system, along with the electronic payment upgrade, will also be especially useful for parking enforcement too, he said.

Parking enforcement officers would move to writing tickets electronically, where they would immediately be posted to the city's computer system, bypassing the need for a clerk to enter them manually, as is the case now.

Ticket recipients would be able to pay fines almost immediately online under the new system.

Centralizing the city's computer system would also allow for automatic software upgrades and save time and labor on maintenance, Caruso said.

An visual depiction of how a centralized computer system
for the city would work.

Instead of having to service each desktop individually, upgrades, security, and maintenance would be done at the central server, and changes would automatically be shared across the system, he said. City employees could log in from anywhere, and their profiles and preferences would follow their log in.

The IT manager also suggested the city might collaborate with Lafayette College on the project. Upgrades to the cables that carry data to the city must also take place before the plan could become a reality, he said, adding that Lafayette is in the middle of such an upgrade, and that would be another area the city might collaborate with the college.

"It's a long-term process," Caruso told city council members. "We're looking at what the feasibility is...Obviously, there's the matter of money."

City administrator Glenn Steckman said he wants to see the new parking payment system operational by November of this year, and the feasibility of other tech upgrades would likely be a topic of the 2014 budget discussions.

Mayor Sal Panto expressed support for the presented ideas, especially upgrades to the parking payment system, but stressed that any upgrades and changes must be "something we can pick up and take with us" to the city's new planned city hall too.

The mayor also suggested that having an electronic parking ticketing system would eliminate the need for one clerk in the police department. He added that the savings on that salary could likely be used to hire an additional public works employee.

Council members seemed cautiously favorable to the intial plans to update city systems.

Councilman Roger Ruggles said he wanted to see more information before a commitment to the plans.

"If we could get a rough implementation schedule--nothing we're going to hold your feet to the fire to--we'd at least have an intial picture (of the costs involved)," he told Caruso.

Caruso said a more detailed description of the plan will be forthcoming in weeks ahead.

"In six weeks, we've been in warp drive," he said.

Councilman Jeffrey Warren said he liked the direction of the plan. He added that the addition of wifi in city hall, which also includes separate access for guests at a minimal cost of $52 per month, is something he hopes will be further extended eventually to all locations in the city.

"With more young people moving here, it's something I think we should look at," Warren 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.

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.

Easton City Council to Mull Parking Changes Again

By Christina Georgiou

More tweaks to Easton's parking laws may be on the horizon, as city council members said they will be discussing the possibility of adding changes to city ordinances at their workshop meeting on Tuesday, Oct. 9.

Councilman Jeff Warren, who heads the council's public safety committee, said he'd like to discuss possibly drafting a "Lazy Double Parking" law similar to a recent ordinance enacted in Allentown.

"I think it could possibly help with some of the problems we've had," Warren said. "It could give our police another tool in the toolbox."

It was unclear if the law would apply to delivery trucks or those loading and unloading vehicles, or what the amount of any possible fine for double parking might be.

In Allentown, an additional $100 penalty is assessed for lazy parkers or operators of double-parked vehicles that are adjacent to  an open public space. The Allentown law, enacted last month, also established escalating fines for repeat offenders.

Councilwoman El Warner said she'd like to discuss the possibility of adding motorcycle and scooter parking spots in Easton's Downtown district.

"I ride a scooter, and I hate to take up a whole spot," she said, adding that while many do it, parking scooters and motorcycles on the sidewalk is illegal.

Likely not on the list for the October workshop meeting is an issue brought up by Mayor Sal Panto of cars that park in the parking lot just off of South Second and Ferry streets.

Panto said a number of cars that have parked near the five-story office building next to Bank of America during off-hours have recently been towed.

He added that he feels warning signage is inadequate, and that the building's owner is using a towing company located in Forks Township that doesn't keep evening or weekend hours, meaning those whose vehicles have been towed sometimes can't get them back for days.

Panto said at least four people have complained to his office about the situation, and some were from out of town, making the problem especially inconvenient and costly.

But because the property is privately owned, there's not much the city can do about either the practice or the choice of tow company, opined city solicitor William Murphy.

"I almost want to say, when Larry Holmes comes back (and reopens his restaurant at the adjacent Ringside Pub location), I want to park on their side and get towed and see what happens," the mayor said.

Some Thoughts on Proposed Changes to Downtown Parking

opinion

The Girl Next Door

Parking is always a volatile issue, and more so in densely populated areas, so it's no real surprise that  potential changes to Easton's parking regulations have raised some controversy lately.

During the very many discussions about these issues though, I've noticed there are a few potential solutions that seem neglected, or haven't even been discussed.

On the other hand, some proposed changes, like switching the hours metered street parking operate from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.  to 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. actually make a lot of sense.
This is what Northampton Street looks like on any given weekday morning around 8:30 a.m.
What is the purpose of metered parking enforcement at this hour, and exactly who are we ticketing on the rare occasions they are issued? And, if the purpose of parking meters is really to ensure turnover, not revenue, doesn't this seem pretty pointless when there is virtually no one visiting Downtown?

The first is the possibility of offering the first five or ten minutes of parking free. This would allow time for drivers to hunt up some quarters, should they be in short supply. It would also give essentially free parking to those customers the city and businesses should value most—those that come to pick something up, drop off their money and leave.

This can be accomplished with our existing technology too. The meter that 'zeros out' when a vehicle pulls out can just as easily be programmed to start with time on the meter, possibly with a message on the screen, “Welcome to Easton Pennsylvania!”

Everyone loves finding a meter with time on it—it makes them feel like it's going to be a great day. That is exactly what we want when people visit our city. So why aren't we doing it?

Starting with a few minutes on the meter also negates the “unfairness” of the city pocketing change in the form of paid time that is never used.

While many folks seem to love the idea of parking meters that take credit cards, the fact is, the equipment is expensive, estimated at three times the cost of the meters we already have, and they will definitely necessitate that very unpopular rate hike, likely doubling the current rate of 50 cents an hour.

Parking meters that don't take credit cards may actually have a number of advantages...
especially if the first few minutes are free.

Sure, some people don't carry quarters, but should the people who do and like to pay cash really pay more for the convenience of the unprepared? Or for those who are so much better off that a few extras dollars here and there doesn't make a dent?

It could be argued that the less fortunate aren't real customers in the city's Downtown, but this is patently untrue. Even the less well off treat themselves now and again. And they will choose to do so repeatedly in a place they enjoy, one that welcomes them and treats them well. That won't happen in a city that seems willing to bleed them dry before they've had any fun. Their money is as good as anyone else's, and there are more of them nearby than those of the wealthy.

Additionally, in a lousy economy, wouldn't shop owners value those extra few dollars over putting them into the city's coffers, only to pay for a convenience for a few?

Not to mention, what is the message when people feel they have to pull their credit cards out before they've stepped foot in a single shop?

Lastly, keeping parking meters as a cash-only situation is actually very good for shopkeepers, provided they are prepared to make change. And they should be. People looking for change will quite willingly go into any store that has a friendly window sign proclaiming “We have quarters for the meters!”

All those people are potentially new customers—people that otherwise would have passed an unknown shop by without a second glance.

Making change is a form of free advertising and a chance to show off one's wares. Even if they don't buy something that trip, they will remember the shop and come back, or recommend it to others. It also builds community and allows businesses to interact with the public and promote each other.

Mayor Sal Panto recently said that people don't stroll around any more. Well, to a point, he's right—at least about Easton. It's not true at all in places our city has compared itself to, such as New Hope, New York City and Bethlehem, just to name a few.

When the public doesn't know there's anything worth seeing, they don't stay and walk around. And then they don't spend their money here.

But when someone, particularly a business owner or shop clerk tells them about the wonderful little place around the corner or recommends that fabulous ethnic restaurant is or relates what a lovely time one can have on the riverfront just a couple of blocks away, many will.

When they're done and go home, those visitors will tell their friends what a great time they had and what a wonderful city Easton is to visit.

Why would anyone pass that up, to have the public pay double and lose potential customers and dollars?

It could be argued we already pay the Ambassadors to give the public directions and make recommendations, in addition to keeping the streets clean. And, when approached, they do a great job. Truly.

But really, when was the last time you were in an unfamiliar city and asked a person pushing a broom, picking up trash or planting flowers their opinion on fine dining? Maybe if the back of their shirts said something like, “I'm an expert on all things Easton. Ask me!” instead of “Clean and Safe” those questions would come their way more often.

However, for now, until that happens, until we are New Hope or New York City (both of which, it might be added, have few or no parking meters that take credit cards!), or, best yet, we get back to being the City of Easton everyone remembers of old, we need every trick in the book to have people spend their dollars in our shops and restaurants, not to mention salons and other fine service establishments, and their spare change in our meters.

With at least a five or six hour limit at most of them, so they can stay as long as they like.

Anything less is telling people to go home and to take their spending money with them.

Full disclosure: Once upon a time, the author had a very successful little bead and vintage jewelry shop in New Hope. Which regularly dispensed a solid $50 or more in quarters every summer weekend. She probably got ten dollars in sales for every dollar changed, along with some of her best customers, who ultimately spent a lot more than that. She credits an eight-by-ten-inch cheerily hand-lettered sign that said...“We have quarters for the meters.”