By Angela Marshall
Schussheim brought the idea to the board during the Jan. 3 briefing session. He said the change in cost will help raise revenue for meter repairs and replacement and parking lot upkeep.
Mayor Eugene Murray said he also hopes the rate hike will help curb meter feeding by employees of village businesses, a practice that ties up spaces that shoppers could otherwise use. He also called the fees an equitable way for visitors to the village to help pay for the wear and tear they cause to the parking areas.
The rate has not been increased in nine years.
Gary Schwartz, president of the Chamber of Commerce, is against the increase.
I think it would have an adverse affect on the businesses in town, especially in today's economy, Schwartz said when he heard about the proposed increase. I think less people would come into town.
After the mayor announced the proposal at Monday's board meeting, RVC resident Sue Oppenhiemer complained about the upkeep of certain lots. She said flooding and ice in a section of Municipal Field 1 needs to be taken care of.
Even if the board does not agree to the higher fee, Schussheim would like to discontinue the use of dimes and nickels in meters because they can damage the machines more than quarters.
In addition to repairing damaged machines, the acting administrator proposed refitting all mechanical meters, which administrators find break more often, with electronic ones. Of the village's approximately 1,000 meters, half are mechanical.
We're having fewer and fewer problems with the electronic ones, Schussheim said.
It will cost about $100,000 to refit the machines, according to Village Engineer Steve Kritsas.
However, Schussheim said he does not plan to refit the meters all at once.
The village administration will check neighboring parking rates before implementing a change.
