No Additional Parking Meters For 1st Avenue NW In 2021

It was touted as a safety measure and a means of freeing up some parking spaces as well as generating some extra revenue but after 25 minutes of debate Council decided not to approve the installation of parking meters on the east side of 1st Avenue NW from Manitoba Street West to Caribou Street West.

Touted by Administration as a means to designate there is only driving lane running in the north bound lane of 1st Avenue from Manitoba St to Caribou St Council voted unanimously to say not to receive and file the report with no further action being taken.

Speaking at last Wednesday’s special Council meeting director of public works and utilities Darrin Stephanson said installing the meters was the last part of the transition of 1st Ave NW from two lanes running both north and south to one driving lane running in both directions with a shared center turning lane.

“The piece that wasn’t completed with that change was the establishment of a parking lane,” Stephanson said, adding “currently northbound there is lots of traffic using that lane we would consider a parking lane at this point.”

“People are still using it as a driving (lane) and it does create some confusion,” he said.

Under the proposal Administration was recommending installing 12 single and 10 double parking meters along the blocks without any meters on the east side of 1st Ave NW from Manitoba Street to Caribou Street at an estimated cost of $24,000. The money spent on the meters would be re-couped by use within 3.4 years the report read.

“The addition of the parking meters would help improve that traffic safety. It would clarify there is a single north bound lane and a separate parking lane on that northbound route. And there is obviously some extra revenue generation that would go along with this,” Stephanson said. “It does provide some additional parking to some of those east properties, to some of the businesses that are there.”

He would go on to say that he had heard concerns from businesses and residential units between Ross Street West and Oxford Street West about not enough parking availability due to the east side presently being free.

Councillor Jamey Logan asked if there was not a cheaper means to effect the change without spending money to purchase meters. He asked about the potential of a one year pilot project to allow parking along the east side without installing meters.

“It would accomplish the same thing. We would lose the income of the meters themselves for the current season but it would be a trial for one year and perhaps get the same outcome to delineate the northbound traffic but at no cost to the citizens,” Councillor Logan said.

Stephanson said he did not see a free parking scenario as fixing the safety concerns.

“I do not know how we can delineate and enforce it without any installation of anything. It also does not solve any of the issues of the businesses that they experience with parking,” he said.

Councillor Dawn Luhning asked why there was a need to install parking meters between Manitoba and High Street West and the effect such a move would have on Mosaic Place.

“Is there an issue right now with people not being able to find spots to park Downtown?” Councillor Luhning additionally asked.

“Obviously at different times and different locations there could be (not enough parking spots). As we alluded to the parking isn’t always full in the area so this would be an extra service,” Stephanson replied, adding “I do believe there is a demand for parking there with Mosaic Place there and this would provide some additional spots.”

Councillor Eby asked how installing the proposed meters would effect snow clearing to which Stephanson replied that the City would deal with the snow clearing like they do on the west side of the street as there are meters there.

Councillor Doug Blanc favoured putting the initiative off until at least next year.

“I wonder if this could all be delayed for a year. I know it is only $24,000 but I question spending the $24,000 on something like this when there are other priorities,” Councillor Blanc said.

Councillor Crystal Froese said she opposed the installation of meters near Ross Street because at the present time the parking spots were being used by Canada Post employees when they were working because there was no other parking available in the area.

Councillor Kim Robinson said he was not opposed to the meter installation proposal but he did question the timing of it.

“I don’t think it’s a bad idea the timing might be wrong on it that is all,” Councillor Robinson said.

In a 7 - 0 vote Council ultimately voted to reject the proposal and the report was received and filed.