Proposed parking ordinance presented

COEUR d'ALENE - A proposed parking ordinance which addresses concerns about the McEuen Park parking garage was reviewed Tuesday by Coeur d'Alene parking commission members.

City Attorney Wes Somerton presented the draft ordinance and told the commission that the changes were originally brought to the city council due to observations from law enforcement officers about behavior in the parking garage.

"There was a lot of concern raised about people mingling around in the garage," Somerton said. "Since the garage is out of view, this creates a public safety concern."

People lingering in the garage, Somerton said, have caused several issues including vandalism which has cost the city $700 since the garage opened in March, and numerous instances of people breaking into vehicles.

Amy Evans, who sits on the city council and is a parking commission member, said the proposed changes to the ordinances would give the Coeur d'Alene Police Department tools for situations where people are "mingling" in the structure. Without the changes, law enforcement wouldn't be able to handle those types of situations, she said.

Law enforcement officers have also encountered people sleeping in the garage, using it as a restroom, and dumping their trash.

"We want to be careful not to point a finger at any one segment of the community," Somerton said.

Somerton added that the ordinance would create several new infractions and misdemeanors for the police department to enforce in the garage.

The ordinance was first brought to the council months ago. However, according to interim City Administrator Troy Tymesen, city officials decided to attach the new rules for the parking garage to a revamped parking ordinance.

Tymesen encouraged the commission to look at the proposed revisions and additions to the ordinance and provide their input during the approval process.

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Proposed parking ordinance presented