Riverfront parking discussion highlights Marquette meeting
At Marquette’s Aug. 16 council meeting, a debate about the issuance and amount of a riverfront parking ticket morphed into a discussion about the city’s authority to restrict a certain area of riverfront parking for resident use only, with a permit. (Photo by Audrey Posten)
By Audrey Posten, North Iowa Times Editor
At Marquette’s Aug. 16 council meeting, a debate about the issuance and amount of a riverfront parking ticket morphed into a discussion about the city’s authority to restrict a certain area of riverfront parking for resident use only, with a permit.
The issue came about after mayor Larry Breuer said he received a communication from a man who visited Marquette this summer with some friends. The man has visited Marquette several times, Breuer said, this time staying at the Cobblestone Inn and Suites. The group decided to fish at night, but upon returning to their vehicle—which was parked in a marked section of the lot restricted for resident use only with a permit—discovered a $250 ticket.
“A $250 fine is excessive, and it was dark,” Breuer said, sharing that the man threatened to tell others about the fine, and never return to the area, if it was not rescinded. “We’re trying to bring people to town and spend money. A $250 fine is saying we don’t want you in town.”
Breuer advocated for lessening the fine, or simply issuing a warning.
Councilman Steve Eagle was also displeased with the ticket and the amount of the fine, stating, “The same stuff goes on in Prairie du Chien. That’s why people are leaving.”
The city’s attorney, Dan Key, said the issue at hand was not this specific case, but whether the city needs to change its ordinance. The ordinance currently restricts parking in the north riverfront lot (in front of the fishing pier) to only residents who were issued a permit from city hall, without a fee, upon written application and proof of residency. Violators are subject to a $250 fine.
“It’s a question of whether we should change the ordinance,” agreed councilwoman Pam Brodie-Fitzgerald, “and I don’t think we should change it.”
Former council members Tracy Melver and Jason Winter, who were in office when the parking area was created, were in attendance at the meeting.
Winter said the city put in the restricted parking area so residents would have a place to park on the riverfront when it is busy.
“It was to benefit the citizens of Marquette,” Winter said.
Key threw out the idea of creating a permanent or annual pass for residents, then a temporary pass for others.
“That would defeat the purpose,” Melver countered. “We have a riverfront everyone can use. Residents would go down there and have no place to park. Tax dollars went into making that area so residents would have a place to park.”
However, Key said, “When you’re a city, I don’t think you can be as restrictive as you want to be.”
The council motioned to table the issue until its September meeting.
North Street retaining wall
Breuer said he was able to secure one quote, at $2,750 or less, for repairs to a retaining wall on North Street. The wall, Breuer said, came down at least eight years ago after a flash flood and was never fixed, and has since been an eyesore.
A majority of the wall is on city right-of-way, said Breuer, who feels the city should bear the cost of repairing it.
Brodie-Fitzgerald cautioned there are still some issues that need to be resolved before the city moves forward with repairs. Among them, she said, is a city resolution that states the city does not make retaining wall repairs unless necessary for the design of a street or some other facility. The property owner is to bear the cost if they want it replaced.
Breuer said the area has been surveyed, showing 6 inches of the wall on private property and the rest on city right-of-way. He added that one of the two affected property owners has already given some funds toward the project.
In that case, with resident approval, Key said, “I see no problem with the city maintaining the retaining wall and fixing it.”
Brodie-Fitzgerald questioned whether fixing this wall will open the door for other residents wanting walls fixed. There’s also the question of a tree on one of the properties, she said, which a contractor who previously looked at the project said would need to be removed in order to prevent the repaired wall from deteriorating. If the city repairs the wall, will the rocks currently there be used, or will it be rebuilt to match other retaining walls around the community, she also wondered.
“If you have unresolved questions, you should bring the contractor in,” Key advised.
The council tabled the issue so additional information can be gathered.
Rentals
The council approved charging people $25, along with a $100 security deposit, to reserve the city’s overlook shelter, boardwalk or riverfront shelter. The cost will be the same for both residents and non-residents. Rules and time limits for rentals will be reviewed by the council.
