By James Peters

Kamloops council rolls back downtown parking rates

Jan 15, 2019 | 3:33 PM

KAMLOOPS — Kamloops council has rolled back an increase in downtown parking rates, just two weeks after it came into effect.

As of Jan. 1, the cost of an on-street parking stall increased to $1.50 for each of the first two hours, and $3 for the third hour.

After a 5-3 vote from council Tuesday, meters will revert to 2018 rates of $1.25 per hour for the first two hours, and $2.50 for the third.

Councillor Mike O’Reilly, a former president of the Kamloops Central Business Improvement Association (KCBIA), championed the decrease, saying past parking rate increases had achieved council’s goals of deterring long-duration parking on downtown streets.

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“This is somewhat, a little bit of a success story for the downtown parking meters. Parking meters are there to move cars. For the first time in two or three years, we know this is working,” said O’Reilly. “We’re hearing from the businesses, we’re hearing from the BIA that the problem isn’t there anymore. And that’s why the last increase happened.”

O’Reilly was supported by Councillor Kathy Sinclair, who told council a lot has changed since the schedule of increases was first approved nearly six years ago.

“I think there’s a real desire on behalf of the KCBIA — and I can say that because I was at their board meeting last week — and the city, to sit down with a clean slate. Things have changed since 2013. We are where we are, but let’s get together and let’s move forward in a way that’s positive.”

Despite her support for the motion, Sinclair expressed reluctance to go back on the originally-passed schedule of increases.

Her concern was shared by Councillor Dieter Dudy, who opposed O’Reilly’s motion.

“I hate doing things after the fact. [The 2019 increase] is something that has come into play. We’re going to end up spending money to try to change it back again if this were to succeed. I don’t see the point at this juncture,” said Dudy.

“I think what we need to do is get through with the parking study, determine what our parking needs are going to be before we enter into any further increases down the road. But for the moment, to do something after the fact is just going to appear wishy-washy to the rest of the public.”

Mayor Ken Christian also opposed the motion, saying the benefit to downtown shoppers and customers doesn’t defray the cost.

“I don’t believe that the 25 cents is the make-or-break in terms of business success. I fully believe that, if we’re not collecting the money there, we’re going to have to collect the money somewhere else,” said Christian. “This is a relatively small increase that I think keeps us in line with paid parking rates elsewhere.”

City staff will now set to work reverting downtown pay kiosks to the previous rates.

Community Safety and Enforcement Manager John Ramsay told council it will take about three days of work and about $12,000 to re-program all the meters in the downtown area.