Changes in parking, traffic ordinances receive preliminary OK

Revisions to La Grande’s parking and traffic ordinances received tentative approval of the city council last night.

During its regular monthly session, the council heard first readings by title only of new ordinances that clarify and strengthen parking and traffic rules.

All vehicles parked on the streets will be operable, registered and insured.

Also, the revised ordinance prohibits the parking of a vehicle on a city street for the purpose of displaying it for sale, for repairs or service except in the case of emergency, or for selling merchandise from the vehicle without authorization from the chief of police or his designee.

The city has had persistent problems with people parking cars with “for sale” signs on the north side of Adams Avenue in front of Safeway.

Another change in the ordinance gives the city manager or a designee the authority to deny parking permits to people who have outstanding citations for parking violations, and people subject to a municipal court order denying a permit.

The revised parking ordinance also gives police or the parking enforcement officer the authority to mark vehicles. In the previous ordinance, that authority was implied but not spelled out.

Marks are made on tires with chalk to aid officers in determining how long a vehicle has been parked in a spot.

The new ordinance makes clear that the marks may not be erased by anyone other than an officer while the vehicle remains at the place it is marked.

Additional revisions in the parking ordinance clarify the procedures for impounding and detaining vehicles.

The council also heard a first reading by title of a revised traffic ordinance.

A major change in the ordinance allows the city to request that all vehicles be removed from a parade route one hour before a parade starts. The city also may request that vehicles be removed from other streets for special events.

In other business Wednesday, the council named three people to serve on the city’s micro-loan program committee. All three have experience in the banking and lending field.

The council established the micro-loan program by resolution last month, making $40,000 in unanticipated funds available for loan to local small businesses.

The council approved the appointments of Gloria Chastain of US Bank, Michael Snow of the Union-Wallowa-Baker Federal Credit Union and Jeff Puckett of Banner Bank to the committee.

The micro-loan program was set up to provide small businesses with short term loans between $500-$5,000.

Before the council approved the committee appointments, Community and Economic Development Director Charlie Mitchell said in a staff report that at least three businesses have expressed interest in borrowing from the fund.

Also Wednesday night, the council:

• Held a public hearing on Grant Hudkins’ application for vacation of a portion of an undeveloped right of way on First Street abutting Lake Avenue. An ordinance allowing the application was read by title only, with a second reading slated for Jan. 14.

• Established a lien on one property for nuisance abatement and on two others for weed abatement.

• Passed a resolution initiating vacation proceedings and establishing a Jan. 14 hearing date for vacation of 10 feet of Alder Street lying between lake and Polk Avenues.

• Voted to retain the services of Akin Blitz of Bullard Law for upcoming labor negotiations with the La Grande Police Association.

• Accepted the abstract of votes for the Nov. 4 general election.