Politics & Government

Parking Ticket Jam, 'Panicked' Motorist Causes Loss of Revenue

A jammed parking ramp ticket and an impatient motorist cost the city of Stillwater some revenue on Sunday.

“A ticket jammed in the machinery, and kind of out of panic, the owner jumped out of the car, wrestled the arm up and broke it,” Community Development Director Bill Turnblad said. “So the arms were locked in the upright position, and all that revenue for the entire afternoon—we lost.”

Why does it happen every year during the Nature Valley Grand Prix? Ward 4 Council Member Mike Polehna asked.

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“I don’t have any idea,” Turnblad said shaking his head. “As luck would have it, the new parking lot attendant didn’t happen to be on duty. So, there you are.”

Last year, the city bought new software and firmware in some machines to try to avoid the problem, Turnblad said.

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“But really the problem is users panic and do unusual things,” he said. There is a call button, and there are people in the area who are working, but when someone is behind you and they are impatient, you don’t necessarily think, you react.”

The city hired a parking lot attendant to be on site to react to situations like this, but he wasn’t on duty.

Click here to watch archived video of the discussion.

Next year it’s safe to say the ramp attendant will be on duty? Stillwater Mayor Ken Harycki asked.

“I certainly hope so,” Turnblad said.

“He will be on duty for the Fourth of July,” Police Chief Jon Gannaway said.

Turnblad said he has no way of knowing how much revenue the city lost on Sunday.

“Our machinery doesn’t count parking coupons as they are issued at the entrance gate, only when they are inserted into the exit gate,” he said. “ Since the arm was broken, people kept their coupons as they drove out.”


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