Published: May 07, 2008 08:11 pm      

NIAGARA FALLS: Keeping the meter running

City issues deadline to determine if new meters are working

The meter may be running low on Niagara Falls’ latest venture into paid parking machines downtown.

City Council members have issued a two-week deadline for Photo Violation Technologies Corp. to show that all 94 digital parking meters they’ve installed downtown are operational and a ticket enforcement system can be in place soon.

If everything is in order, the council is expected to approve the company’s request to extend the free trial program another summer. If not, councilmembers said they will order the machines be removed and deem the project a failure.

“I’d prefer to have everything fixed and extend the trial until September,” Council Chairman Samuel Fruscione said, “but we need to know they’re working properly and will be a revenue source for the city. The first free trial never worked successfully.”

The city entered into an agreement with Photo Violation Technologies, of Vancouver, B.C., to install parking meters on select downtown streets and commence a six-month trial last summer during which Niagara Falls would not be charged. After the six months, city officials would have had the option of purchasing the meters at about $1,000 apiece or entering into a shared-revenue agreement.

However, unexpected issues regarding power sources forced the wireless meters to be installed and brought online during the July 4th holiday — a month later than expected. Since then, concerns and criticism have increased about non-functioning meters and whether the city is collecting enough revenue to exceed related expenses.

In November, Photo Violation President Fred Mitschele offered to extend the initial trial up to another year to prove his machines worked and would be a continuous revenue stream to the city.

Fruscione asked Mitschele to give an update this past Monday, and said he was prepared to sponsor a walk-on agenda resolution to cut ties with the company if the news wasn’t good. However, Mitschele reported that all of the installed meters are now functioning properly and the company has suggestions on how the city could deal with enforcing tickets.

In addition, the company plans on expanding its free Wi-Fi Internet service installed last summer along Third Street.

“We invested a lot in this community and we like to give back,” Mitschele said.

The council directed Mitschele to work with Mayor Paul Dyster’s administration to develop an agreement extending the trial. Meanwhile, city workers will be out verifying if every machine is indeed operational.

Councilmembers also are looking for more data showing revenue estimates, how the machines are being used and what are the peak hours. Since the meters were installed, no ticket violations have been issued because an enforcement mechanism needs to be in place.

“We need to know if we’re going to move forward or just cut our ties and move in another direction,” Councilman Charles Walker said. “It’s been over a year.”

Mitschele said his company can provide data reports by the May 19 meeting, and will be making suggestions to Dyster regarding the enforcement issues. He predicted a better response from the meters this summer as the tourist season kicks into high gear.

“There’s going to be a lot of revenue coming in for the city,” he said.

The high-tech meters are able to communicate wirelessly with the city and take photographs of license plates of parking offenders. In addition, the meters will accept change or credit and debit cards and allow parking offenders to pay fines on site. The wireless technology even has the capability to text message motorists over their cell phones if their meter time is running low.

Mitschele pointed out the meters were named among the Top 50 inventions of 2007 by Time Magazine. While he admits the initial trial has had problems, they were mostly tied to communication and service issues with National Grid.

“It’s not the technology,” he said.