PORT TOWNSEND — The chief of police now has the authority to modify parking restrictions to accommodate changing traffic conditions, the Port Townsend City Council has decided.
As a result, Port Townsend Police Chief Conner Daily will be able to change the parking duration on specific streets, with input from City Manager David Timmons and Public Works Director Ken Clow.
The three will discuss each change and, when it is decided, it will be posted on the city website at www.cityofpt.us/ to inform the public.
The City Council approved the measure 5-1 on Monday night.
Councilwoman Michelle Sandoval was not present. Councilman Bob Gray dissented.
“I’m not clear why we are changing the system,” Gray said.
“Parking is one of the top five issues, and we shouldn’t be taking the City Council out of the process.”
“Once you take the decisions out of the hand of the people who were elected to the ones who are not elected, you lose the dialogue,” he continued.
“The council meets three times a month and can make quick decisions, and since we have limited space for parking, we should be discussing this as a council,” he added.
The resolution gives the police chief the authority to respond to changing situations without the necessity of a new ordinance by the council.
“Flexibility is particularly important where different responses may be tried on a trial basis and then modified as conditions warrant,” the resolution said.
While the changes can be made without council approval, they can be addressed in an open meeting if any member of the public has a question or concern, Timmons said.
Councilwoman Catharine Robinson, who made the motion to pass the resolution, said she favored giving the staff the decision-making power since they have more of a “big picture” view.
“I think the staff understands the whole city and what the ripple effect will be when a change is made,” she said.
“If the council addresses individual streets on a piecemeal basis, they won’t have a good idea of how changing parking conditions on one street will affect the other.”
Timmons said that the entire downtown parking designation will be examined and revised after ongoing construction is completed.
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Jefferson County Reporter Charlie Bermant can be reached at 360-385-2335 or at charlie.bermant@peninsuladailynews.com.