Changes coming to city parking system
Ticket fines may also increase
Royal Oak city commissioners Monday will review survey results from residents and downtown visitors on proposed changes to upgrade hundreds of city parking meters.
Royal Oak has been working with a company called Municipal Park Services. Last fall MPS did a pilot test with several of its meters at parking spots on Main Street near Fourth Street.
In a memo to commissioners, Royal Oak Police Chief Corrigan O’Donohue said a survey was completed by more than 1,300 earlier this year with a smaller number of those taking part in a focused discussion on proposed parking meter changes.
“From the feedback we received, our engagement strategy was a resounding success and those who participated were overwhelmingly enthusiastic about (MPS) meters,” O’Donohue said in his memo.
Typical parking tickets in Royal Oak are $10, but an increase in that amount to $20 will likely be considered by the time city officials move ahead to install new
meters.
“Our parking fines are low compared to other communities,” said Mayor Michael Fournier. “The existing fines don’t deter people from parking in spots all day. The whole purpose of parking meters is to have parking at them for limited times for the good of visitors and businesses.”
The mayor said the city doesn’t want to increase fines, but rather better enforce parking times so there is turnover at metered spaces.
The city has several separate large parking decks downtown for long-term parkers that don’t use meters or require parking fines.
A majority of people in the city’s survey agreed that $20 parking tickets would prompt them to always pay the meter, and also encourage people to follow time limit rules to free up more available street parking.
Fournier noted that by law the city can’t profit from parking or parking fines.
“Every dollar we get from parking fees and fines only goes to fund and maintain the parking system,” he said.
New parking meters being considered can interface with apps that notify people when their time is about to expire, among other service features.
The meters that were tested in Royal Oak last year have high-resolution video technology and sensors that are powered by low voltage electricity, unlike older meters that require constant battery maintenance.
Electricity allows the meters to have better features than traditional meters, such as large backlit screens and a voice intercom that can offer audio directions in several languages and allows a user to summon help.
The system can gather information on each parking spot, provide feedback and help with enforcement and compliance. Sensors can read license plate numbers and determine whether a car is parked there, while a mobile app can give motorists directions to help them find spaces near their destination.
Police are recommending MPS convert 673 of the city’s 935 street meters to MPS smart meters.
All but one of the city’s surface parking lots would also be outfitted with the new parking meters.