City Council to Overturn Grace Period, Clergy Parking Vetoes

City Council to Overturn Grace Period, Clergy Parking Vetoes: "

Last week, Mayor Bloomberg vetoed the 5-minute grace period bill which was overwhelmingly passed by the City Council. He also vetoed a similar bill which would allow clergy to receive city-issued free parking permits. Today it was expected that the Council's Transportation Committee is expected to overrule the vetoes on both bills. This would be followed by the full Council voting to overrule on Dec. 21, with both bills becoming law 90 days thereafter.

A limited amount of parking permits are given out to clergy as of now, but with heavy restrictions, so only a fraction of the city's religious officials are able to receive them. Nonetheless, the City Council voted unanimously, 49-0, in favor of the new bill. Along with his veto, Mayor Bloomberg argued, 'By expanding the scope of privileges offered to clergy permit holders and increasing the number of individuals and motor vehicles eligible for such permits, this bill would make fewer spaces available within the city, to the detriment of residents, local businesses and the general public.' Or maybe it would just 'generate confusion with drivers and prove difficult to enforce.'

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Free Parking Through iPhone App

Free Parking Through iPhone App: "

Of all the NYC Big Apps contenders (Taxihack is one), we think the NYC Broken Meters will be the most used and abused. The app uses the city's own data to locate broken meters, allowing users to score free parking! The NY Post points out that under city law, parking at broken-meter spots is permitted 'for at least an hour.'

Most shocking is that the city made the data available specifically for the app, and the creator, Raviv Turner, says it's a win-win situation 'because it may help motivate the city to fix broken meters.' Turner also hopes in the next version users will be able to upload information on broken meters not yet listed, though drivers may not be anxious to alert The Man of the free parking they've scored.

Right now you can locate about 1,000 busted meters using the app. Check out the top 10 Big Apps here; there's something for cyclists, tree lovers, dog owners, foodies... none for stroller pushers though. What other apps would New Yorkers find useful?

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Video: Anthony Bourdain on 'Alt Side'

Video: Anthony Bourdain on 'Alt Side': "

Only in New York, where parking is just one of the hassles of daily life. Witness Alt Side (after alternate-side parking), a mini interview show whose conceit is to chat with noted folks while trying to find a spot. The concept seems a bit contrived, but if you're fan of Anthony Bourdain, you can listen to his three minutes of car talk after the jump.

Anthony Bourdain on Alt Side

Alt Side airs on New York Nonstop, channel 161 on Time-Warner Cable in New York.

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Parking Ticket Grace Period Vetoed by Bloomberg

Parking Ticket Grace Period Vetoed by Bloomberg: "

Last week a Bronx motorist threw a ticket agent's hand-held computer to the ground during an angry dispute over a parking ticket issued minutes after his Muni-Meter expired. 'I get a five-minute grace period. It was in the media, today on the news,' George Collazo reportedly yelled during the altercation. George, if you're reading this, we regret to inform you that your grace is still denied.

Yesterday Mayor Bloomberg made good on his threat to veto a parking grace period bill passed by the City Council last month by a vote of 47-2. The bill would give drivers an extra five minutes past the expired time on Muni-Meters and alternate-side parking (but not coin-operated, single-space meters.) As he proscribed grace, Hizzoner declared, 'While characterized as a 'grace period' to benefit drivers who are rushing to their vehicles, this universal extension of time for drivers would have the practical effect of impeding traffic flow and disrupting street cleaning operations. It would thus have a negative impact on the quality of life for all city residents. Additionally, the bill could generate confusion for drivers and prove difficult to enforce.' (You do hate to see that.)

City Councilman Simcha Felder wasn't happy about the veto, and the City Council may override it: 'People are getting tired of the gotcha. I'm a big supporter of the mayor's, but I respectfully disagree. The [five-minute grace period] was in effect for many years without anyone having any difficulty.' Indeed, there used to be an informal grace period when traffic enforcement was controlled by the DOT. When the NYPD took over, traffic agents were instructed to ticket immediately.

According to an analysis conducted by the Times last year, almost 300,000 alternate side violations were issued within five minutes of the rule taking effect in 2007. Of those, nearly 28,000 tickets were issued exactly on the hour that the rule went into effect.

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City Council’s “Grace Period” Sparks Parking Agent Assault. What’s Next?

City Council’s “Grace Period” Sparks Parking Agent Assault. What’s Next?: "

A serial tire slasher, shown here in a video still, has targeted the vehicles of TEA agents. What effect will the meter "grace period" have on what is an already volatile environment? Image: Daily News

Before it's even signed into law, the City Council's inane parking meter "grace period" is already making the job of traffic law enforcement that much harder. Last week a Bronx TEA agent was allegedly assaulted by a 23-year-old motorist named George Collazo, who was under the impression that the new rule had already taken effect. The Daily News reports:

When [Collazo] returned to his parked car in Westchester Square on Thursday afternoon and found an agent about to slap a ticket on his windshield he allegedly went nuts.

Collazo wrestled a hand-held computer out of agent Sophia Sewer's hand, bending her finger back as he shouted that he couldn't get a ticket, authorities said.

"I get a five-minute grace period. It was in the media, today on the news," he yelled, according to court papers.

Collazo, who allegedly threw the computer to the ground, has been charged with menacing and assault.

Just as area merchants tried to justify recent acts of TEA vehicle vandalism in Westchester Square, even in such a clear case of motorist aggression, the News (which dubbed the TEA tire slasher a "Rubber Robin Hood") can't resist an attempt at rationalization.

A witness to the incident said Collazo had just bought parking time at a muni-meter and was bringing the ticket back to put on his windshield when the agent swooped in.

"That's why they need a grace period," said Aurora Susi, an employee at nearby Metro Optics.

"They need to give you time to walk back to the car. I see this every day."

With parking enforcers already subject to regular harassment and physical attacks, expect more confrontations between emboldened drivers and "swooping" TEAs once the latest giveaway kicks in, most likely with the continued tacit approval of city media. Nice job, Chris Quinn and City Council.

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Debate Rages Over New Parking Ticket Grace Period

Debate Rages Over New Parking Ticket Grace Period: "

jpchan's Flickr

On Monday the City Council passed a bill that would give motorists a five minute grace period on parking tickets issued at Muni-Meters or when a vehicle is in violation of alternate side parking regulations. Mayor Bloomberg has vowed to veto it, but the Council approved it 47 to 2, and they only need a two-thirds vote to override a veto, meaning the law could very well take effect in 90 days. Will 'chaos' reign, as Bloomberg predicts, or will motorists receive a welcome relief from 'parking enforcement officers hiding behind the bushes, waiting for the meter to run out,' as one parking commissioner in White Plains puts it?

Critics say the grace period will only inflame the already heated arguments between traffic agents and car owners, but the bill’s sponsor, Councilman Simcha Felder of Brooklyn, tells the Times, "They’re issuing tickets now and no one is confused about the time, right? If they say it’s 9:01 and a taxpayer says it’s 8:59, the taxpayer is still getting the ticket, so whatever you do now you’ll continue doing." And one traffic agent, who gave an anonymous quote to the Times, believes the grace period "will make people more happy" and "will make my job easier."

White Plains and Miami have had grace periods for years, and there used to be an informal grace period when traffic enforcement was controlled by the DOT. When the NYPD took over, traffic agents were instruct to ticket immediately, and a recent study found that many agents issued tickets at the exact moment the time expires. Bloomberg has thirty days to veto the bill, but Bay Ridge Councilman Vincent Gentile tells the Brooklyn Eagle, "We’re confident that we have enough votes to override his veto."

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5 Minute Parking Grace Period to Be Vetoed by Bloomberg

5 Minute Parking Grace Period to Be Vetoed by Bloomberg: "

Ryan Muir's Flickr

Today the City Council is expected to pass two laws that would give motorists more wiggle room when fighting parking tickets. The first bill would create a five-minute grace period for drivers for certain no parking zones, such as alternate side parking regulations and expired Muni-Meters. (The bill does not include regular coin-operated, single-space meters, seen failing here.) A second piece of legislation would require the DOT to post notices of new and changed parking restrictions in affected neighborhoods and online up to one week in advance. (Last October, Orthodox Jews in Williamsburg were outraged when the DOT wrote tickets for over 90 vehicles that were violating new parking regulations—on a Saturday.)

But Mayor Bloomberg has vowed to veto the grace period bill, telling reporters today, "I will veto that. I think it’s a very misguided piece of legislation. A five-minute grace period is only going to lead to chaos and enormous increases in the number of contested tickets, and in argument. Whose watch are you going to use?' And Transportation Alternatives director Paul Steely White says, "I fail to see how the hands of a wristwatch—no two of which seem to read the same time in this town—are a fairer judge than a clearly expired parking meter. This is irresponsible pandering that will lead to more arguments at the curbside, and a profusion of illegal parking."

According to an extensive analysis conducted by the Times last year, almost 300,000 alternate side violations were issued within five minutes of the rule taking effect in 2007. Of those, nearly 28,000 tickets were issued exactly on the hour that the rule went into effect. In a statement, Council Member Simcha Felder, one of the bills' sponsors, said, "Anyone with common sense and decency understands the need for a five-minute grace period to eliminate ‘gotcha’ tickets."

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Bloomberg Promises "Smart" Parking Meters, Amnesty, Sensitivity

Bloomberg Promises "Smart" Parking Meters, Amnesty, Sensitivity: "

A poster for Bloomberg's rival, Montgomery Burns.

There's no stopping Mayor Bloomberg from buying another term, so it's not like he has to win anybody's approval. Still, it's nice to see he's at least making an effort, rolling out the campaign promises just like any other average Joe politician. In an Op-Ed in one of the tabloids today, Bloomberg asks, "How would you like to use your mobile device to see a map of available parking spaces in your neighborhood—and also use it to pay your meter? Or how about getting a text message as your meter is about to expire, so you can get back to your car before getting a ticket?' It's a start... but can these new meters give us back rubs too, like the ones in Japan?

Well, if that's not enough to get you to passively submit to plutocracy, try this on for size: In his third term, Bloomberg promises to 'explore the possibility' of eliminating the $2 fee to pay parking tickets by credit card, as well as an amnesty program to get some of the $700 million the city is owed from old tickets. Long live Bloomberg! He's also vaguely promising to increase 'sensitivity training' for traffic enforcement agents, which sounds very Clockwork Orange, and we like it.

But the 'smart parking meter' vow is definitely the most interesting part of Bloomberg's pandering. And for a mayor that's perceived by some as too anti-car and pro-bicycle, the sop to motorists will probably help his all-but-guaranteed re-election. Still, presumptive loser Bill Thompson is trying to quaintly reason with voters; his spokesman is begging New Yorkers to realize this is all just a 'stunt.' Whatever; A.I. parking meters!

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