By Pete McIntyre

Parking meter fees won’t be waived to help COVID-impacted businesses

Mar 24, 2020 | 5:38 AM

Vernon council is not ready to waive parking meters fees as a way to help struggling downtown businesses.

During a discussion on the issue Monday, Councillor Brian Quiring — who runs a small business downtown — said it would be a nice gesture to encourage people to patronize the downtown merchants.

“I do believe it does send a signal that we’re here to help you, so I would be in favour,” said Quiring.

Councillor Akbal Mund questioned if there is a problem with downtown parking now.

“There really isn’t a parking issue in the downtown now. There is lots of ample parking along 30th [Ave.].”

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Mund didn’t support making changes just to support the few businesses that are still open due to the Covid-19 situation.

Councillor Kari Gares agreed with Quiring, saying it’s not about a lack of parking.

“There are still some business that are staying open. There is pharmacies down there. And it might be something we could do to soften that blow in a short duration, not an indefinite duration,” stated Gares.

But Mayor Victor Cumming was against it, concerned it would be staff of the stores using the spots.

“It’s unfortunate that staff somehow see parking meters as an acceptable item for how they’re going to park when they’re at work so they run out and plug the meter. Metered parking is not designed for staff parking. Staff need to park in long-term parking or some other method.”

Cumming also cautioned against decreasing city revenue sources, in this time of uncertainty.

“We’re going to have to be very careful with what we do with revenue and expenses. We’re all aware that revenue is going to tumble in a number of these areas, and what we offer — what the city is designed to do — is provide services,” said Cumming.

Gares agreed the city would be facing revenue issues going forward.

“But given the fact the majority of people are being laid off and experiencing some financial distress, that would be a two-week reprieve of that.”

Cumming told Gares to “choose your words carefully,” over her comment that most people would be laid off, saying he would be “very cautious to say that.”

In the end, council didn’t take any action on the issue.

Mund pointed-out Quiring, as a downtown business owner, would be in a conflict positon and couldn’t vote on it, giving council only three members, not enough for a quorum.

Councillors Dalvir Nahal, Scott Anderson and Kelly Fehr were not at Monday’s meeting.

by Pete McIntyre

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