–$50 per rotation may attract VAT

CITY Councillors yesterday perused a 71-page document containing the Georgetown Metered Parking By-laws, and a majority of them voted that they understood the laws and are ready to have them implemented.
Seventeen councillors approved the by-laws, three abstained from voting, and two (People’s Progressive Party’s Bishram Kuppen and Khame Sharma) opposed them, when a Motion was moved by Councillor Heston Bostwick and seconded by Councillor Junior Garrett.

Town Clerk Royston King told this newspaper following the meeting that now that the by-laws have been supported by the majority, citizens can expect to see the machines being installed on every street that is proposed, the boundaries of which are between South Road and Church Street, and Water and Camp Streets. Eventually, however, these boundaries will be extended to include many other areas.
According to the by-laws document, which still needs to be fine-tuned and corrected in some instances, $50 would be the cost for every 15 minutes, up to a maximum time purchase of six hours. These parking fees “may” be subjected to Value Added Taxes (VAT) or other taxes.

As for garage parking spaces, the cost will be $175 for every 15 minutes, up to a maximum time purchase of six hours per transaction. This, too, will attract VAT or other taxes.
In cases where parking wardens immobilise a vehicle, $8000 will be the fee; $12,000 for the towing fee; $7000 for the impoundment fee; and $7000 for the storage fee for every elapsed period of 24 hours. These amounts will all be subjected to VAT or other taxes.
According to the document, any person wishing to park a vehicle in a metered parking space must first purchase a prepaid parking card or other permitted form of payment from a vendor.

Other methods of payment may include credit cards, debit cards, and smartphone applications with integrated payment methods. “Payment of the parking fees may be accepted from businesses, or from individuals though direct payment made monthly,” the document further said.
A city constable or parking warden, who must at all times display an identification badge with his photo and other necessary information, should not immobilise a vehicle where the driver is present and a fixed penalty notice is issued to him unless this driver had previously violated parking restrictions, and it was impossible to collect payment for penalties.

“Where a vehicle is causing a hazard or obstruction, the city constable or parking warden should remove it rather than immobilize it. If the vehicle is obstructing access to metered parking spaces or parked where it is prohibited, then the vehicle should be removed,” the document said.
If a driver returns to the vehicle while it is being clamped, or where removal is taking place, it is recommended that the operation be halted unless the clamp is secured or the vehicle has all its wheels aboard the tow truck.

“If clamping or removal is halted, a fixed penalty notice (FPN) should be issued to the driver, provided that where the same driver or vehicle has previously violated parking restrictions and it has not been possible to collect payment for penalties, the city constable or parking warden shall be at liberty to immobilize and remove the vehicle.
“Where vehicles are removed, the city constable or parking warden should contact the acre police station and advise them of the time, place, vehicle registration number, and impoundment depot so the police can deal with queries from motorists who report their vehicle stolen.

“Where a vehicle has been immobilized or removed, the city constable or parking warden should seek to make it available to its owner within two hours of payment of all fees or fines. Before any vehicle is returned to any person claiming to be the driver or owner he must produce some form of picture identification or proof of ownership,” said the document.
Citizens will pay to park between 07:00hrs and 19:00hrs, and the meters will be suspended on Sundays and holidays.