Council tables parking fines

A proposal to raise parking fines to $50 on streets around Southeast Missouri State University was tabled by Cape Girardeau's city council at its regular Monday meeting.

"It appears to be a little bit bigger than a simple penalty change," said Councilman John Voss, who represents Ward 1. He lives on one of two blocks of Alta Vista Drive that drew more than 25 percent of all the city's parking violations between August 2006 and May. One driver was ticketed 22 times.

Voss proposed the ordinance July 9, which prompted a meeting between city and university officials. That group agreed to form a committee along with residents and students, to find better ways of enforcing existing parking restrictions.

But Voss also suggested that the city's current parking fines, which start at $10 and increase to $15 if not paid within seven days, need to be overhauled. Fees have been the same since 1984.

In Jackson, parking fines were raised to $50 in 2001, according to Jackson Municipal Court clerk Wendy Seabaugh.

If the fine is not paid before the court date indicated on the parking ticket, it increases by $24 and a second court summons is issued. Failure to appear for the second court date could, at Judge Patrick O'Loughlin's discretion, result in an arrest warrant. In 2006, Jackson police wrote 20 parking tickets.

Roadwork approved

The city council approved contracts with Koehler Engineering and Land Survey for the first and second phases of Lewis and Clark Parkway. The contracts were updated to comply with state requirements. Lewis and Clark Parkway will start at County Road 618 and extend north to an Interstate-55 interchange.

pmcnichol@semissourian.com

335-6611, extension 127