The Mayor and City Council of Georgetown will today hold an extraordinary meeting to facilitate councillors’ consideration of the revised rates for parking in Georgetown.
According to an agenda circulated to councilors on Monday the council is being asked to meet five days before its next Statutory meeting solely to “consider” the tiered rates system announced by the Mayor and Smart City Solutions last Friday.
Notably these changes are being taken to the council, which is a party to the contract, several days after they were announced as final to the public.
If these rates are “approved” by the council the Parking Bylaws will be amended to reflect the new fees and forwarded to Minister of Communities Ronald Bulkan for approval.
If approved by the Minister, the amended bylaws will provide for a two-tiered payment system with short-term parking carrying a different cost than long-term parking.
Short-term parking rates remain $50 plus VAT for 15 minutes. However, the metered parking fee for all motorists who purchase parking for 8 hours or more will be reduced to $25 plus VAT per 15 minutes.
Since the fee for 15 minutes to 4 hours remains the same, anyone paying for 4 hours at the current rate will automatically be credited with 8 hours. Parking over 8 hours to 12 hours will cost motorists between $825 and $1,200. All of these charges are subject to VAT.
Additionally, businesses may apply for monthly parking permits, which may be considered on a case-by- case basis. They may also apply for loading and offloading parking consideration as their business needs require on a case-by-case basis.
Provision has also been made for official taxis and minibuses to purchase metered parking monthly passes for $12,000 a month plus VAT and for residents to apply for residential parking permits.
Town Clerk Royston King had told reporters on Friday that the amendments are presently being drafted and will be presented to the full council within 7 to 10 days.
There have been mounting protests and legal action against the parking meters. The Movement Against Parking Meters is to hold another silent protest outside of City Hall at midday today.
