By RICK MILLER
Olean Star
Some members of the Olean Common Council had second thoughts on the city’s proposed QR code parking plan and delayed approval for another month.
Finance Committee Chairman Sonya McCall, D-Ward 5, said her recent survey of North Union Street found only about 60% of the 120 parking spaces occupied. At that rate, the city will have trouble coming up with the $100,000 in revenue budgeted for the parking program, she said.
A number of merchants are also expressing concern that the new QR code, or which a call phone and an app are used to scan a code and purchase parking time, McCall said. With many merchants’ customers older people who don’t have cell phones or don’t understand how to use them, they wonder if this isn’t “the wrong population for this technology.”
McCall said, “The last thing merchants need is a deterrent to shoppers. The cost is not worth the benefit.”
Alderman Vernon Robinson Jr., I-Ward 6, said “the revenue seems to be a bit off,” but that he still thinks “it’s worth it to do the parking app.”
He pointed to Alderman David Anastasia, D-Ward 7, a retiree, a frequent cell phone user, and said, “The elderly are getting around just fine.”
Mayor Bill Aiello said the $100,000 in proposed revenue includes $46,000 from the QR codes and $54,000 from tickets for parking enforcement. The city receives another $47,000 a year from parking permits in city lots.
There is no one out writing parking tickets regularly at this time. The city plans to hire a part-time parking enforcement officer at $20 an hour for 18 hours a week, plus fringe benefits.
Robinson also proposed expanding the QR parking past North Union Street to include West State Street to Seventh Street, South Union Street to Henley and East State Street to East Street. At lowest one of the city parking lots would offer free parking, but a paid parking lot at War Veterans Park is something worth exploring, he said.
Anastasia spoke out against the QR codes and said he agreed with much of what McCall said.
Lawrence Bennion, R-Ward 1, said he had concerns that $54,000 of the revenue is coming from enforcement. “I’m not opposed, but the way it’s laid out is worrisome .” He noted the 2005 city budget contains the $100,000 in revenue.
Bennion, chairman of the City Operations Committee, directed that it be put on next month’s agenda.
The council approved by a 6-0 vote a contract with Kel-Kur Electric for $219,645 for electrical work for the $2.1 million Marcus Park renovation. The city received a $1.2 million state grant for the project and $600,000 from InTandem toward an inclusive playground
The council put off action on a local law to prevent e-bikes and scooters from using sidewalks and one that would levy fines between $25 and $250 for feeding feral cats in the city.
City Attorney Bridget Marshall said state laws already exist to keep e-bikes and scooters off sidewalks and that they must follow vehicle and traffic laws.
The mayor said he planned to meet with police officials soon to hash out e-bike and scooter violations to be on the lookout for.
Regarding feeding feral cats, Council President John Crawford, D-Ward 5, said he couldn’t agree to something that would fine people for something they did on their own property.
Also, the council approved a plan to offer food truck permits for longer than one day, which currently costs $20. Now, a 30-day permit for $250, six-month permit for $1,250 and a 12-month plan for $2,000.
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