More than four years after Denver Mayor John Hickenlooper campaigned as the “meter-feeder,” the city is making it legal for a stranger to feed parking meters.
The step toward parking karma was one of several items that came up Tuesday as the Department of Public Works briefed the City Council on proposed rule changes and the city’s snow response plan.
One of Hickenlooper’s early campaign ads featured him doling out change in an expired parking meter before a parking official could issue tickets. As it turns out, he was breaking the law.
But that is likely to change, pending formal approval.
“It is now legal,” public works official Rob Duncanson told council members, “so help your friends out.”
Maximum time limits on meters would still apply no matter who is paying.
Duncanson said the city also plans to make it legal to park more than one motorcycle or scooter in a parking place. But “if (the meter) is expired, all of you are liable for a ticket,” he said.
Public works also is changing rules on how the city and residents respond after a snowstorm.
While Denver has a “culture” of giving residents 24 hours to shovel sidewalks after snow, the rule on the books required residents to clear sidewalks immediately, public works manager Bill Vidal told council members.
Vidal said the city is changing the law to comply with more reasonable time constraints. Under the changes, sidewalks in front of residences will have to be cleared 24 hours after a storm. Sidewalks in front of businesses will need to be cleared in four hours.
But under the changes, the manager of public works can suspend enforcement of those rules for up to 72 hours in the event of a major storm. The city plans to abolish a rule requiring a permit for a private person to plow city streets.
“Public works is going to get a reputation for being really nice guys and girls,” said Councilwoman Marcia Johnson.
During the worst of last winter’s storms, the city towed cars blocking snow routes, but did not ticket the owners. Public works is looking at making that a policy.
Vidal and his staff again laid out plans to plow residential streets with light trucks in the event of a major storm during the coldest months of the year.
Those trucks would clear 12- to 16-foot-wide paths to allow cars to travel, but likely not bare pavement, Vidal said.
“I think it will prevent the kind of ice buildup and rutting that we saw before,” he said. Because the plan would be used only in the worst case, he added: “I hope to God we never have to use it.”
Staff writer George Merritt can be reached at 303-954-1657 or gmerritt@denverpost.com.
When the snow comes down, the plows come out
Last winter’s deep snows and frigid temperatures have led to changes in snow policy in Denver. Here are some of the differences residents can expect:
Heavy equipment – Seven motor graders and four front-end loaders will help plow the city’s major streets along with 68 snowplows.
“Light Plow Brigade” – In snowstorms of 12 inches or more between Nov. 15 and March 15 the city will deploy 78 light snowplows into residential areas during the storm. The plows will clear a path, but city officials said not to expect bare pavement.
Shoveling – The city cleaned up language for clearing sidewalks to be more in line with citizens’ expectations. Sidewalks in front of residences will have to be cleared 24 hours after a storm. Businesses will have to clear sidewalks within four hours after a storm.
Bus stops – The city plans an added emphasis on plowing bus stops. Plows will clear stops and curb cuts along snow routes after a storm.
