Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: MONDAY, June 18, 1990 TAG: 9006180160
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: A5 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: JOEL TURNER MUNICIPAL WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
To discourage motorists from such practices, City Council is considering raising the fine from $5 to $25 - and $35 if the ticket isn't paid within 10 days.
City Attorney Wilburn Dibling will recommend today that council approve a vehicular trespass ordinance that would impose the higher fine.
Williamson Road merchants have had problems with after-hours parking despite warning signs, Dibling said. He said the $5 fine has not been an effective deterrent.
Police have been charging illegal parkers with trespassing, which carries a jail sentence of up to 12 months and a $1,000 fine. But the courts have been reluctant to convict first-time offenders in such cases unless they are guilty of other offenses, such as being drunk or refusing to vacate the premises.
Dibling said the proposed ordinance would apply to both private and public lots that have signs prohibiting parking during certain hours.
Also today, council will be asked to:
Appropriate $23,420 to pay the city's share of the costs for consultants and attorneys to try to negotiate a larger reduction in electric rates for local governments. Appalachian Power Co. has proposed a 4.7 percent reduction in rates for localities in the next three years, but a steering committee for the Virginia Municipal League and Virginia Association of Counties says a larger cut should be made.
The committee says the cost for consultants, attorneys and other expenses for negotiations with Apco will cost $115,000 for the localities served by the power company. Each locality has been asked to contribute an amount that is based on its electricity usage. Roanoke spends $4.8 million for electricity.
Approve $285,000 for more than two dozen community and human service agencies in the next fiscal year. The agencies requested $701,327. Among the agencies that will receive a larger amount are: ARC Roanoke, Inc., $30,250; Bradley Free Clinic of the Roanoke Valley, $18,100; League of Older Americans, $25,000; Roanoke Area Ministries, $26,300; Salvation Army, $23,000, and Tinker Mountain Industries, $22,600.
by CNB