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Earlier this week, we discussed the insane new parking meter rates that would go into effect if the City Council passed legislation allowing Mayor Daley to lease the meters to a private company. Well, they passed it by a vote of 40-5. Ald. Toni Preckwinkle (4th) opposed the measure, claiming she didn't have enough time to review it, prompting this amazing (and classic) response from Ald. Richard Mell (33rd):
How many of us read the stuff we do get, OK? I try to. I try to. I try to. But being realistic, being realistic, it's like getting your insurance policy -- it's small print, OK?Yes, Dick, it's just like an insurance policy. Why would you need to read the entire thing? We will give him this, though: at least he's being honest. The bill also had opposition from Ald. Billy Ocasio (26th) who seems to still have something of a connect with reality, saying, "I'm sorry, but there are too many people in our city living paycheck to paycheck." Another tidbit about the new bill? Free Sundays and holidays are now a thing of the past and some meters will even require 24-hour payment. So explain to us again how the City can afford 2,000 new SUVs?
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man, no free sundays. pour a little out for the past.
*shakes head*
Does this mean they'll actually fix all the broken meters now? Probably not. What a terribly run city, trying to plug its budgetary gaps with millions of quarters and orange tickets.
So now that the city isn't in charge of the meters, I presume they won't be picking up the tab to enforce them, right? No? Oh, OK, that makes sense.
Okay, so the meters are now going to be leased to a private company, which means this company does all the upkeep and, I'd assume, gets all the fines. So who's going to enforce the parking restrictions? Is the city going to use city police to enforce payment on what has essentially become a private parking lot? Do those traffic cops now serve at the pleasure of some private company? Are we, the city, paying for this enforcement, and will we get a cut of this?
And what of that, turning city property (streets) that are maintained with public funds into a private parking lot? I'm no lawyer, but it seems to me there might be a legal challenge here if somebody wanted to press things.
(Mind you, I'm okay with raising the rates ... I just hate the privatization angle, as it seems this costs the city long-term revenue in favor of a one-time cash-out).
Add parking meeters to the list of toll-ways and airports that have been privatized.
Awesome.
"Mind you, I'm okay with raising the rates ... I just hate the privatization angle, as it seems this costs the city long-term revenue in favor of a one-time cash-out"
Completely agree. As I've stated in the past, if the rates need to be increased, why can the city not just do that themselves? I understand they need a quick infusion of cash to make the budget work which is the real reason for all of this, but its not a legitimate long term solution to our problems. And of course Daley would not look at himself for places to trim fat (i.e. TIFs)
if they wanted people to drive less why didn't they just say so
"Does this mean they'll actually fix all the broken meters now?"
Oh you'd better believe it. God forbid there is a meter out there that isn't collecting minimum wage, working 3 shifts, and not complaining about the weather.
The other question is, how many meters will be broken by angry and disgusted drivers?
How many of us read the stuff we do get, OK? I try to. I try to. I try to. But being realistic, being realistic, it's like getting your insurance policy -- it's small print, OK?
And what exactly is his job again? And even if it's too much for him, doesn't he have enough friends and family working on the job that he can assign it to?
I cannot believe that we pay one of the highest tax rates in the US, and are the third most populous city and we have budget shortfalls. So lets sell everything for a one time payment so we can fatten up more of Daley's friends. And provide useless programs while our public transit system, roads and "less fortunate" parks fal into ruin. I have to believe this is the most mismanaged city in the US, and sadly many of these people are getting jobs at the white house. Examples:
CTA Holiday Christmas Train
Red Light Camera Contract
The Brownline Project that is taking forever..
The random holes they cut in the streets
The south side parks that fall into ruin
The amount spent on bottled water at the goddamn water authority.
Towing cars in Bucktown with no signs
This city is pathetic.
Hearing some aldercreature on WBEZ last night, barely able to speak through all the salivation, talking about how sweet the billion dollars the city is getting RIGHT NOW is going to be.
It's a 75 year lease by the way.
Here's my argument, it's a simple one. Metered parking is about keeping a free flow and ease of access in high traffic areas. It was never meant to be a revenue generator. The city relying on this money, selling off THE STREETS for quick cash RIGHT NOW is a pawn shop mentality.
This is going to hurt small businesses. Enforcement is now a for profit concern, I bet one confederate dollar that you will see violence over this, meter maids, who stroll the streets now, will get hurt by people who feel wronged. It's going to get ugly and what will we have to show for it? Money that's already spent on debt.
40-5. How spineless. Craven, sniveling cowards too disconnected from their constituencies to give a damn. Fuck you city council. Fuck you very, very much.
I don't drive, but I feel bad for those of you who think you need to.
Just to clarify, the city keeps the fines generated from meter enforcement under the lease terms. Looks like the private party only receives the revnue generated by feeding the meters themselves. The interesting question is whether the city gets an extra cut for any future meters installed?
HateBrianClub:
I need to drive sometimes. Do you know of a better way to move a drum set?
So now that the city isn't in charge of the meters, I presume they won't be picking up the tab to enforce them, right? No? Oh, OK, that makes sense.
Amen, clark (and anyone else who raised this point). This is exactly what I was thinking when I heard it this morning. If they're STILL using cops and other city employees to enforce the meters and give out tickets, all of which now belong to a private company that isn't giving the residents ANY breaks, then I fully expect anyone who lives in this city and dives to raise holy hell. These meters not belong to MeterCo, or whatever the hell their name is, so city cops should NOT be wasting their time and our money crusing the street looking for expired meters. And the company who made this deal should be forced to hire all of the guys and woman who walk the streets checking meters and giving out tickets, since they're doing their work. Why should the city keep them on the payroll? Let's ship them out and free up some more cash.
40-5. How spineless. Craven, sniveling cowards too disconnected from their constituencies to give a damn. Fuck you city council. Fuck you very, very much.
It's not often we agree 100% both in view and level of enthusiasm, Albany, but sometimes you just say exactly what needs to be said.
What happens when this city is out of things to sell? I see no signs of trying to fundamentally reform the city's budgets and finances, for instance. These things being sold are ours, the public's, and there's not even ample debate to figure out if we are getting the right price for our shit. Wait until we get the Olympics--that will the clusterfuck to end all clusterfucks when it comes to taxpayer waste and theft of taxpayer dollars. But at least the skyline will look pretty on TV, right?
God...seriously HateBrianClub...there are times you have to drive.
Don't feel sorry for me....'kay?
btw, a few nights ago at 10:30 pm I had to take my dog to the ER...it would have been real nice to ride a bike or walk over 10 miles, that late at night, freezing cold with snow and ice on the ground with a dog who was in distress.
Cars are here to stay, get over it.
I'm not a big "throw the bums out" guy, but between this and the sales tax I'm seriously going to consider the opposition in the next city election.
Wait until we get the Olympics--that will the clusterfuck to end all clusterfucks when it comes to taxpayer waste and theft of taxpayer dollars. But at least the skyline will look pretty on TV, right?
It's all about tourism, didn't you know that? Everytime anything is done for this city, Daley always crows about tourism, tourism, tourism... making Chicago a "world class city" whatever the fuck that means. Millennium Park, the Olympics, the whole Block 37/Blue Line project, a casino on Navy Pier...tourism. Daley won't be happy apparently until we're Atlantic City, NJ
OAK PARK: Village scales back hike in parking-meter rates
Tribune staff report
September 19, 2008
Village shoppers won't have to carry quite so many quarters to feed the meters this fall.
A fierce and immediate outcry against this summer's increase in parking meter rates, which started Aug. 25, prompted the Village Board to partly roll back the higher rates this week.
The board had approved an increase to $1.50 an hour in some of the busiest shopping districts to encourage people to park in the less expensive garages and leave the metered parking for shorter shopping trips. But after getting many complaints about the higher rates, trustees lowered the meter rates in those high-demand areas to $1 an hour. In other areas, the meters will cost 75 cents or 50 cents per hour. The board also doubled the fine for parking at an expired meter to $20.
______________________________________
I guess that's what Chicagoans need to do: "a fierce and immediate outcry" like the fierce protestors in Oak Park. It was just insane. You used to be able to part at a meter for 25 cents a half hour and they raise the rates like that!
It's all about the "fierce and immediate outcry"....if we here in OP can do it, you all can too!!
I just wish our wacky new friends johnadams, chalice, stock2600 and johnon from the Obama Birth Certficate story would come over and join this discussion. I'd love to get their unique perspectives as interested Chicagoans.
I don't drive, but I feel bad for those of you who think you need to.
I have a car and drive an average of two times a week. And occasionally I have to drive to various parts of the state for my job.
Unless, you can give me a ride on the back of your bike. Then I'd be happy to park the car for a long time. I'm supposed to be in Aurora next Thursday at 10:30. I expect you in front of my building with your bike by 8. Mkay?
this is disgusting. i'm trying to google to find how my alderman voted, and all i see are stories about how they didn't get the details of the thing until a day before. aaaah!
okay, back to see if schulter voted yes. who are the 5 dissenters?
**never mind. found them.
Oph: Those guys (or "guy," as the case may be) are too busy debating the parking situation in Bakersfield or wherever they really are to talk about Chicago parking.
The sinister thing about this is that the City, of course, gets the added ticket revenue that will be generated by this ... but it's a private company that's changing the rules on us. By eliminating "free" parking on Sundays and holidays, the meter company is acting as a surrogate for the city in its quest to generate revenue by nickle-and-diming the taxpayers. And I'll bet the Mayor and City Council think they're insulated from the public's ire because of this. Maybe next they'll start ticketing Honda Civics on Wednesdays. Or red cars on Thursdays. Everyone is hurting. Daley and his City Council are noticeably silent about the TIF slush fund while they continue to find new ways to try to squeeze blood from a rock.
My man Colon came down on the "no" side. I'd like to think it was because of my call.
More likely there's another angle. He's probably in bed with some other firm that was trying to get the bid for maintaining them. Does this mean I'm a pessimist or a realist?
My love/hate relationship with this city continues to grow...
Love having so much at my fingertips, hate our administration and mayor who have more concern for tourists than the very people who live work and breath in this city.
I hope someone has a dictionary with a picture of the Chicago skyline beside the words "mismanagement" and "rip-off."
Interesting reading:
Clout City
Ignore hatebrianclu, he's clearly more perfect than those truckers who bring his produce to Whole Foods, the delivery people who bring him his bike parts, the aged, the infirm, the handicapped, those whose jobs require cars, people who live outside the CTAs reach, suburbanites and children.
He's better than all you assholes. Get used to it.
Love having so much at my fingertips, hate our administration and mayor who have more concern for tourists than the very people who live work and breath in this city.
I figured out years ago that loving Chicago is nearly an act of defiance--that you must will yourself to love the city in spite all of the rip-off artists posing as public servants, and the sheep who allow this to happen.
My man Colon came down on the "no" side.
Colon seems to be on the right side of the issues way more often than not. Maybe he ought to run for Mayor.
In complete agreement with you.
Twice in one day?
What are those four guys doing on horseback riding up Clark street? I think that one guy has a swo-
bad day? fuck it.
oak park isn't a valid comparison. You can't surf the net in their libraries if you don't have an id w/ an op address let alone use the pools, etc, etc.
They can keep their rates lower cuz they're stingier with outsiders.
Can this new SMARTMETER Inc charge higher rates to non CITY STICKER cars???? Maybe then the residents can get back a FREE day.
I hope someone has a dictionary with a picture of the Chicago skyline beside the words "mismanagement" and "rip-off."
A facade of skyscrapers facing a lake and behind the facade, every type of dubiousness.
- - - E.M. Forster
BTW, that other thread now seems to have completely devolved into a bunch of tin-foil-hatted lunatics (most--if not all--of whom appear to have never before posted on Chicagoist) circle-jerking each other into a frenzy, with Albanyparkour yanking them around for laughs.
Pretty entertaining stuff, actually.
Whoa, whoa, WHOA! Assume all you like about me: my disdain for old and young alike, my eating habits and my lack of support for the Teamsters, but I do NOT ride a bicycle. I’m not anti-car, but I get around the city by foot, CTA and on rare occasions, by taxi. I haven't driven in four years and while it can be a pain in the ass I'd say that car payments, insurance and looking for a good parking spot would be even worse. Now I suppose there will be a lot more people deciding between their time and the cost of a meter which I don't think is as bad as a lot of people make it out to be.
On the other hand, I fucking hate all of the do-nothing, corrupt Aldermen in this city as much as the rest of you. This Bill is a disgusting money grab, but that doesn't change the fact that most people drive out of convenience, not need.
Ingrid: I was among those participating in the "fierce and immediate outcry" after I got nabbed by the 'revised' (read: suddenly extended with minimal notice) meter hours to the tune of $10 at a spot which had always been free and clear after 6 pm.
Royce: Oak Park CAN be a bit insular (look at what it took to finally finagle a Trader Joe's into the village), but I believe Chicagoans can actually use the OP library's services as long as you have a Chicago Public Library card. You just have to get one of the special "Metropolitan Library System" cards. Gives you full access not only at OP, but a most other suburban libraries.
ophmarketing, yeah...I got caught unawares at a meter that I thought was free and clear 'after 6' and did I blow a gasket when
I noticed that they changed it to EIGHT!!
And thank GOD for the Trader Joe's (whose Grand Opening is tomorrow morning, btw)....I hope the give Whole Paycheck a run for their money!!
ophmarketing, yeah...I got caught unawares at a meter that I thought was free and clear 'after 6' and did I blow a gasket when
I noticed that they changed it to EIGHT!!
And thank GOD for the Trader Joe's (whose Grand Opening is tomorrow morning, btw)....I hope the give Whole Paycheck a run for their money!!
Here's a chart of how the parking meter funding will be distributed by Morgan Stanley. I love the box on the far right. Even Morgan Stanley's Australian branch gets a piece of this.
Parking chart
33rd Ward Alderman Dick Mell on his vote for the parking meter lease:
"How many of us read the stuff we do get, OK? I try to. I try to. I try to. But being realistic, being realistic, it's like getting your insurance policy. It's small print, OK?"
So because it is small print and a lot of reading Ald Mell just assumes everything is kosher with what he is voting on when it comes to a $1.1 BILLION 75 year deal. What a jerk! Do the job you are voted into office to do for christ's sake.
Well at least my Alderman (Ocasio) was not havin' it. Too bad I'm sick of living in my ward.
In case anybody's wondering, this lease breaks down to about $40,000 a day, or roughly $1.15 per meter.
Trader Joe's finally opening in Oak Park? Thank freaking god! I love TJ and will drive all the way there to shop just so I don't have to deal with the rude, over entitled assholes who seem to flock to a certain TJ location in the city (and I don't mean the people who work there, as they all are quite nice).
Wow, I assumed there would be some anti-car-nut ranting in favor of this on here, but no. There is no up-side to a bill that might as well sell away a revenue source for a bajillion years. Anyone know how much the city made in revenue annually for parking? I've been trying to figure out how long it would take to generate the $1.2bil.
Stealth,
Very interesting - where did you happen to find this?
I can't believe they are doing this! The mere fact that it makes sense to the investors who will now own them, is a clear indication that we are getting screwed! The enforcement question is a good one. I for one hope that our tax dollars aren't being spent to guarantee a revenue stream for a private investor group for the next 75 years. Can we expect to see the fines for violations go up as well?
I've also noticed how we've been replacing the old meters with the new box system at a fairly high rate lately. Good thing we are spending our money to modernize and make the system more efficient for the new owners. That was nice of us.
Another public asset sold off for a short term fix. Bow to the investor class!