Hood River parking meters cost $1200 in lost business

groundclown · Since 12 May 2007 135 Posts Hood River Stoked

Way OT (Sorry pkh that I started a political thread, but this effects a kite/ sporting shop and many others.)

A $1200 loss to 3 businesses in on day from one customer. as you all know I am prepping for a long trip

About two weeks ago, after getting my tax return, I went to the city building to pay my current parking fines. I put 65 cents in the automated meter. I was planning on having lunch with my son (after paying my fine) at the Trillium.

While ATTEMPTING to pay my fine, I received another parking ticket for an expired meter (4 minutes). I say attempting to pay my fine, because it took nearly 40 minutes for the city workers to get there system up and running. once up and running, it showed that I had no fines under my current license plate#. Doh! I had changed plates to Oregon, and didn't know my old #. I would have to return the next day. When I went back to my truck, the new meter maid (Male) was writing me a ticket. BTW, they are now $15. I put in another 50 cents, and returned to the city building to complain. After another battle with the computer, they waved the ticket. But, because of the battle with the system, it hogged up most of my meter time, again! I went to try and add time,as we still needed lunch (this was my first dealing with the new machines) and learned you can not add time. Instead, you must either double pay for the time you already paid for, or wait for the time to expire, risking another ticket. We had lunch at the Trillium. and went home knowing the shopping I was about to do would take 4+ hours, and running in and out of shops with a special needs child to pay my meter again is just not cool.

About 5+ years ago, I was given 2 parking tickets while spending over $3000 on wind gear at Storm warning and 2nd wind. stubborn as I am, refused to pay the fine until DMV sent me a notice of suspension to drive. $10 turned into $50

The city shops need to ban together, and get the city to make some changes. In Astoria, there is a separate ticket, much higher for shop owners and workers. the patrons are subject to a smaller fine. In Portland, there is a 10 minute "grace period" for the automated meters.

Silly me, I thought this was a free country!

End Rant

Second Wind, sorry, you lost the most, about $900 I spent online and at (I hate my self) REI, when I went to the travel clinic.
Doug's Sports, you lost the sale of 3 pairs of Merrell hikers.
Carhart it is the winter season, so you may not of had the summer cover gear I needed. I guess I'll never know.

When it was all said and done, I made a list of around $40 of stuff that I was able to get at Second Wind, payed the meter(cringe) and stuck to the list.

Once again, very very sorry
Jonathon

forrest · Fri Feb 06, 09 10:02 am

Dude, you're right on. I sure there are are few more issues involved here, but it's retarded to have to pay to park in front of City Buildings.

I'm sure you can get this information to Arthur Babitz via email...

groundclown · Since 12 May 2007 135 Posts Hood River Stoked

It just sucks that I got mad and spent money on the net and at big box shops.

I sent a message to Bob Francis, city manager, and got no response. I will send this letter to him, Arthur, and Greg Colt. I ran copies to drop off to the down town shops, and am writing a petition for people to sign, so I can drop it on the city's desk, along with said people and Maryah.

I always feel bad, but I avoid the down town for this reason.

Hein · Since 08 Mar 2005 1314 Posts Possessed

parking meters are evil.

jblum · Since 13 Jul 2008 307 Posts The Gorge Obsessed

I second that Jonathon. I tend to avoid downtown because of the parking fiasco and having to have change all the time. I'm busy giving all my change to the bridge nazis anyway, so I never have any left over for the meters.

BTW, did you know that they moved the meters that were removed downtown (the ones replaced by the annoying electronic boxes) up the street (headed west on State), further eliminating what little free parking there was left close to downtown.

Fatfish98 · Since 24 Jul 2007 14 Posts New Member

arthurb · Since 06 Feb 2009 19 Posts Hood River, Oregon Â

Hey guys, I'm really not that hard to find. Jonathon's email found me and I'll follow up with him. Just to correct a few things though:

1) We don't have any big city study being done on Boardman. We held a hearing, listened to testimony from our residents, made a statement to the DEQ, and moved on. 45 minutes max. FYI, several kiters spoke on the issue.

2) The metered area didn't increase when the machines were installed.

3) Those "POS" street sweepers cost a lot of money! You think we should raise the meter rates to buy new ones?

In the meantime, support your local shops! Snag me on the street and I'll put a quarter in the meter for you.

--Arthur

groundclown · Since 12 May 2007 135 Posts Hood River Stoked

Arthur was very quick to respond.
As was Moria, of the HRDBA.

I had not seen an increase in metered area, however there is an increase in meter fees. BTW the automated meters start timing from when your first change hits the meter, one minute has elapsed before printing the receipt.

my biggest issue with the new meters is the double charge if wanting to add time.

I just reviewed the meter plan starting from pre-2005 until now. I think they should re implement the "chalking of tires" method as a way to enforce a grace period. Although, I consider "chalking" vandalism, as last time that happened to me, it took lots of scrubbing to remove. Maybe a brightly colored post-it on your window.

BTW- Arthur really will put a quarter in for you, I believe i have seen him do this. at least a man who looks like him. yesterday, I put my tag with20 minutes left on a range rover that was expired when I left Adaptive Computers and the Hobby shop.
Warning- officer Snyder threatened to cite me for this before.

railgrab · Since 29 Mar 2005 177 Posts Seattle, WA Stoked

How about we all band together and chip in for a roll of quarters for the parking enforcement officer to carry around!

forrest · Fri Feb 06, 09 1:50 pm

Aurthorb in the house! I knew it was a good idea to vote for you. Smile

groundclown · Since 12 May 2007 135 Posts Hood River Stoked

I don't think the city with go for the roll or quarters. They already lost $384 per day from another change, I believe in regards to parking permits that allow common users unlimited parking with in the length of time restrictions(10 min, 3hr, 10hr) for a monthly fee. Their survey also showed a 60-90% vacancy in city lot permits, so they over sell those permits by 20% to help fill those stalls. these are good for employers(es), but no good for patrons, tourists and the likes.

I also think that the ADA stalls should be free, as it takes quite a bit of time for some of those with disabilities to pay and return with there receipt.

As a home owner (kind of) I would rather see an increase in tax, and do away with the meters. (enter flame here__________) Evil or Very Mad

No where in my "skim" over the meter plan, could I find the annual revenue generated by the meters or fines for violators. A parking structure is said to cost 4.1 million. I can see this as the job would fall under "Davis Bacon", but would otherwise only cost around 2.5 million. This could be done if one could be built under a private sector. (I used to be a post-tension concrete / steel building foreman / superintendent) my old crew could erect, from start to finish, a 5 level parking structure in 6 months or less. All said and done, at union wages, for under $3 million, off the top of my head.

Any one want to invest?!?
Terremotto- Want to help with a petition? I know, you don't live here, but...

Update: just got a response from the city manager, kind of. I would love to here Greg Colts views on the subject, as he is the President of the HRDBA, and his members are the ones loosing money. I don't really know what exactly the HRDBA does. I guess that will be the next topic to research.

From the HRDBA website mission statement:

arthurb · Since 06 Feb 2009 19 Posts Hood River, Oregon Â

Jonathon:

groundclown · Since 12 May 2007 135 Posts Hood River Stoked

Thank you, Arthur for the info, as I am starting the process of getting a disabled permit.

I spoke of the privately funded garage simply as a means for the city to avoid the higher cost of building a structure under "Davis Bacon" $4.1 million is a bit high.

Stew, of the DBA,spent about 20 minutes on the phone with me today. I like his views, and agree parking it is a hard problem to deal with.

It is the current predatory manner, and lack of discretion, of enforcement, that I have problems with. The meter cops, know, for the most part, which cars are workers. These should be the target, as the meters are there, initially, to free up parking for patrons, not as a source of revenue. How hard could it be to add, and enforce, a grace period to the ordnance?

gorgebob · Since 25 Jun 2007 259 Posts Portland, OR Shop Owner

Thanks for the info. Charge to park! I like it.
Any one know where I can buy some parking meters?

pdxmonkeyboy · Fri Feb 06, 09 10:22 pm

I have been drinking, now I'm going to operate power tools.

Joshiebaby · Since 14 Oct 2007 569 Posts Vancouver, WA Addicted

PDX MONKEY BOY JUST WANTS YOUR JEW GOLD> DON'T LISTEN TO HIM.

jsj · Since 11 Sep 2006 83 Posts Hood River Â

...
"Smokey, this is not 'Nam. This is bowling. There are rules."
...

$1200 vs $0.50? Those you chose to punish didn't set the policy.

Enjoy the trip though. I predict a month in , you'll find your chill.... I'm jealous. It really is awesome that you and your son are able to go on the trip.

John

P.S.- the city has no idea who owes what on parking fines... yah, like where the hell is the accountability? I didn't exactly see an answer to that part from Arthur. Last time I tried to pay a ticket whoever it was at the front desk took my check and I crossed my fingers it was going to drop off my record.....