City council debated for an hour, a vote to cut paid parking losing on tie
If you want to park at a St. Catharines beach this summer, it'll still cost you, after an hour long debate at city council.
A vote on a motion to eliminate paid parking ended in a tie, meaning defeat.
Councillor Dawn Dodge pointed to families who will find a $15 parking pass too much. "Who maybe can't afford to have their children in swimming, or hockey, or whatever, where there's a user fee, they can go down to the beach... But, some people say it's only $15. However, some people who are limited on their finances, that $15 may seem like a lot of money to them."
Some councillors said the money is needed for security at the beaches, and running the parking pass program.
Councillor Carlos Garcia said he's getting a lot of calls and emails from angry residents, who say it's just another tax.
However, Councillor Robin McPherson looked at the rest of the city. "But then, that would mean going downtown is too expensive, or going to Montebello Park is too expensive, because I watch every single day families trucking their kids to Montebello Park, putting money in the metre."
Councillor Bruce Williamson added people will keep driving around residential streets until they find a spot.
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