Town council is taking next steps in a plan to install a machine to collect parking fees at the town’s boat trailer parking lot on Highway 3.
On Tuesday, council gave three readings to a bylaw to set new fees and establish how the lot will be managed, including by installing wheel immobilizers for those parking without paying.
“The unit we are installing will have the option of entering a license plate and paying by credit card only,” says a report to council by Gerald Davis, director of community services.
“Bylaw officers will check the vehicles by logging onto the system and reviewing if any trailers are expired,” said Davis. “If trailers have not paid for parking, they will be subject to fines and a wheel immobilizer making it unmovable.”
The boat trailer parking lot operates annually from May to September, so the target is to have the new system in place by May 1.
Fees would be $5 a day, $30 a week and $150 a month.
Mayor Sue McKortoff commented that the fees seemed very reasonable.
Only boat trailers can be parked in the lot.
Coun. C.J. Rhodes suggested there should be highly visible signage indicating that the lot is only for boat trailers. He said there’s a perception among some people that if they pay for parking, the spot is theirs. He noted that in the past there was an incident of people setting up a camper trailer, chairs and staying in the lot.
Currently the service is managed by the town staff and the hotel/motel association.
“Installing this service will make the system more efficient and will be economically beneficial as we move forward,” said Davis in his report.
RICHARD McGUIRE
Osoyoos Times
