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Nov 06, 2024

West Lafayette city council passes parking meter ordinance | City & State | purdueexponent.org

Graduate student Brantly McCord delivers public comments before the West Lafayette City Council prior to their vote on an ordinance allowing parking meters in the city. They voted 9-0 in favor of it.

Graduate student Brantly McCord delivers public comments before the West Lafayette City Council prior to their vote on an ordinance allowing parking meters in the city. They voted 9-0 in favor of it.

West Lafayette City Council members voted unanimously Monday evening to pass an amended version of the ordinance that allows parking meters to be installed in parts of the city, including Purdue’s campus, starting fall 2025.

Councilman Larry Leverenz oversees the proceedings of the meetings and acts as the president of the council.

The amended version removes the list of specific locations where metered parking would be implemented. Instead, the city’s Board of Works would decide on meter locations and rates between one and three dollars per hour.

“I think that (this change) is really important because we can move a little bit more nimbly, like with implementing parking, but also if we find that it's not working, with removing or changing it,” said City Council Vice President Kathy Parker.

Several councilors cited improving flow as a benefit of adding metered parking in the city.

West Lafayette City Council members vote on the ordinance allowing parking meters in the city and on Purdue’s campus. They unanimously pass the ordinance after hearing six public comments opposing its passage.

“The thing I’m trying to get my head wrapped around is, is it better to create flow in that area or is it better to accommodate the overflow parking for people that are living in units on the street,” District 6 Councilor Stacey Burr said in response to a comment about the challenges with commuting to graduate student buildings.

“(Parking meters) might then allow folks that are coming and going in the community mode to be able to actually find spots,” she said.

Six public commenters spoke in opposition to the ordinance before the council.

“When I read about this, I immediately thought, what a cockamaime, mean, moronic, stupid idea. This is about parking meters,” Cheryl Kirkpatrick, 79, of Lafayette said.

Councilman David Sanders reacts to a comment made by a member of the public regarding parking.

She continued saying the ordinance would disproportionately hurt and take advantage of graduate students.

“They don’t make a lot of money, they can’t even live here because they can’t afford to live here…The bottom line is, they have to be free streets. You cannot charge,” Kirkpatrick said.

Councilor Laila Veidemanis, a Purdue student, explained her choice to vote in favor of adding parking meters after she told the Exponent in September she was unclear on the specifics of the ordinance.

“We don't always like, read through everything you know,” Veidemanis said. “An ordinance has two votes, so the first vote is just kind of (about) making it to the second.

“I don't think they're gonna be everywhere. I don't think that's feasible. But if they are, I'll be against that. Just certain spots need the turnover and I think there will be free options.”

A current graduate student speaks with a community member before the council meeting.

Brantly McCord was one of three speakers from Graduate Rights and Our Wellbeing, a graduate student organization.

“We take what we can get and what we got is time,” McCord said. “ I believe the Board of Public Works and safety should follow suit to ensure their decisions are published with appropriate time for community approval and critical feedback.”

McCord advocated for public transportation to be funded alongside the parking meters ordinance.

“I'm of the opinion that ameliorating the parking crisis implications of parking meter fees is going to require transportation services to be funded and supported in parallel” McCord said to the council.

Frank Svanascini, President of the Alpha Gamma Rho Fraternity and a senior at Purdue, spoke on behalf of the 17 other fraternity, sorority and co-operative presidents that signed a petition encouraging the city council to opt for a parking pass system instead of a metered system.

“The only option for us would be to park on a residential street which is a less desirable option for all parties,” said Svanascini. “I strongly encourage the board to conduct more research into this matter and provide better alternatives to the people currently using this parking.”

Veidemanis said she was also in favor of the amendment that gives the Board of Works control over parking meters.

“There's a lot of experimentation that can be done, so if something doesn’t work, we can reverse it,” she said.

Libby Sorens, a graduate student, said she understood why the council passed the ordinance even if she opposed it.

“The decision is not what I wanted, but I can tell that all of the council members understand that this is a complicated situation,” Sorens said. “I can tell that they were listening to us. I appreciate that, and I can tell they are trying their best. It is a difficult situation.”

Famous Capt. Sully Sullenberger, who landed a plane on the Hudson River, spoke with Purdue President Mung Chiang about life before and after the incident. The Purdue alum gave students tips for going into aviation.