By Shannon McFarlin WENK/WTPR News Director
Paris, Tenn.—After much discussion over two meetings, the Paris City Commission unanimously voted to eliminate courtesy tickets for downtown parking.
The motion was made by Sam Tharpe and seconded by Gayle Griffith.
City Manager Kim Foster noted at the outset of the discussion that the ordinance currently allowed anyone with an out-of-county license plate to receive a courtesy ticket for parking longer than two hours in one of the downtown on-street parking places.
Foster and others had noted previously that the provision was being taken advantage of by downtown employees/employers who live out of town but work downtown.
By eliminating courtesy tickets altogether, Mayor Carlton Gerrell noted, “If you park longer than two hours, you get a ticket.”
Council member Jackie Jones said she has been giving a lot of thought to the situation over the past two months and noting that many people are affected by the parking situation, from retailers to downtown visitors. “I think we should look at the whole parking situation again,” she said.
Meanwhile, Foster and Tharpe noted that Parking Officer Tammy Walker’s job has been made more difficult with the courtesy ticket situation.
City officials said they would encourage retailers and courthouse employees to use the free municipal parking lots that are downtown.
At the recommendation of Foster and Community Development Director Jennifer Morris, the city selected TLM Associates to serve as Design and Construction Consultant for the Downtown Signalization project, which will include three downtown signals.
Foster reported the city received two letters of interest from A&E firms that included a summary of qualifications. “We were able to do our review and narrow down a firm for recommendation to the commission,” she said, and recommended TLM.
In other business:
–Police Chief Chuck Elizondo introduced everyone to the newest police officer, Chad Andrews, who is from North Carolina. Andrews has police training, Army experience and a bachelor’s and associate’s degrees in police work and Army intelligence.
Chief Chuck Elizondo introduces new officer, Chad Andrews.
Photos by Shannon McFarlin
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