A previous issue regarding overnight parking on city streets was raised again at Monday night's Indianola Board of Aldermen meeting; and still no official action was taken.
Alderman Sam Brock verbally presented a list of 16 streets that he would like to enact a city ordinance prohibiting parking between the hours of 9 or 10 p.m. to 6 a.m.
Brock said he has had complaints from citizens about people parking and some didn't want it.
He told Mayor Steve Rosenthal, “We need to clear our streets of overnight parking.”
Brock is now proposing that the restrictions apply only to certain streets, whereas before he was looking for a citywide “no parking” ordinance for residential areas. Rosenthal asked if he had a list of streets and Brock did.
Rosenthal then asked Brock to supply the board with a written list, but Brock insisted that he didn't have time to do a written list because he had just asked to have it placed on the agenda last Wednesday.
Rosenthal then asked if it should be tabled until Brock could get a written list.
“I really don't understand why I can't just read them off,” Brock said.
The list of affected streets include the downtown area, Sunflower Avenue, Catchings Avenue, Westside Avenue, Front Street, ext./ Garrard Avenue, Roosevelt and Oak streets, Jefferson Street and Hannah Avenue, B.B. King Road, Church Street, Broadmoor Drive, Second Street, Linbar Street, Alexander Avenue and Wiggins Road.
Brock said the streets are cluttered and sometimes all night.
He said, “These streets need to be open between 10 and 6 a.m., something needs to be drawn up in that aspect.”
Alderman Ruben Woods then asked about Hannah and Church streets that have businesses on them with little to no parking. “
“What you talking about Mr. Woods? What kind of businesses on Church Street you gotta be parked on the streets all night?” Brock asked.
At Woods’ response, Brock then said his restrictions didn't apply if there was a dance or social affair, but he was referring to afterwards. He asserted that his aim was at overnight parking.
After further discussion, Woods then asked if it might be better to have a no permanent parking ordinance. Rosenthal then questioned how they would determine what was and was not permanent parking.
Aldermen Marvin Elder then suggested an ordinance outlining disabled/non-operating vehicle parking, but Rosenthal reminded him that could be addressed with the city’s current law.
Addressing Brock and the others, Rosenthal said, “You are talking about a citizen who lives in a home, parking their car in front of their house at night. You're talking about everyday parking for local citizens on their own streets, can't park in their neighborhood from 10 o’clock at night to 6 in the morning,” Rosenthal said.
Brock said that he is, “Not totally saying that you got to move at 10.” He further explained. “Because if there is a gathering and the city, the police department all know about it, then there is ample time this would be corrected. We’re just saying it needs to be cleared up after the event time,” he said.
Rosenthal assured Brock that he wasn’t disagreeing with him, but questioned whether Brock was saying that individuals need to come before the board and get a variance to have an event and added that the police would not be able to know every party that's going on.
Brock then mentioned the street sweeper not being able to clean up in certain areas because of the congestion. Rosenthal said they just needed to come up with an ordinance that is enforceable and that has been thought out.
He also cautioned them that there are already a lot of laws on the books that are unenforceable and reminded them that if the law said 10 p.m., then it's got to be 10 p.m., and the police would enforce it.
Rosenthal said that before any change can be made, the attorney has to present it to the board in ordinance form so they can vote on it and it is up to them to come up with the correct wording for the law.
He asked Brock to clearly define what he meant and bring it back for the next meeting along with a list of streets.
All of the city’s current ordinances are available online for review by the citizens as well as the aldermen at https://library.municode.com/ms/indianola/codes/code_of_ordinances and there is no charge or registration required.
