ML may crack down on residential parking

MOSES LAKE - The City of Moses Lake may be changing its enforcement policy for vehicles not parked on city-approved surfaces or too many vehicles parked in residential neighborhoods.

The City Council approved the first reading of an ordinance last week that includes a written warning for the first violation for vehicles not parked in a driveway or on an "improved parking surface," nixing the notice to the property owner to correct the violation within 10 days.

"We have found over the years that in some cases, that doesn't work so well," City Manager Joseph Gavinski said. "Some violations are easier to deal with a simple fine and we would get better cooperation with the face of that fine rather than going through the whole process with regard to the notice and the order."

Under the proposed ordinance, a warning would be issued for the first violation in a year. Following the warning, the city can issue an $80 ticket for the second violation, $170 ticket for a third violation and a $360 fine for any further violations. This does not include inoperable vehicles

It was initially suggested by the city attorney that the notice of violation under the current ordinance may be cumbersome and ineffective, asking the city council to discuss changing the enforcement method to simply require a fine with every violation rather than using the violation notice and order to correct, a system the city has previously used.

City Attorney Katherine Kenison said the current ordinance is not deterring residents who continue to violat the law, adding repeat offenders are issued a violation notice and they move the vehicle within the 10 days, starting the enforcement process over.

Several councilmembers expressed concern with issuing a fine on the first violation, proposing a written warning for the first violation and giving the resident a day to correct the violation.

Community Development Director Gilbert Alvarado added the residential vehicle storage ordinance is complaint-driven and the department's goal is to have residents comply with the code and not issue tickets.

The council will vote again on the ordinance at the Feb. 11 council meeting.