Beach Parking Fee Proposal

Mayor Lynn Rives has proposed that the city charge nonresidents $50 a year for beach parking. Residents currently pay $2 for an annual sticker for parking.Rives said the city must make parking available to nonresidents under an agreement with Pinellas County that paid for beach replenishment.

There are currently afew spaces at Morgan Park allocated for cars without resident permits. During the Memorial Day weekend all parking spaces at Morgan Park were filled, with three vehicles illegally parked in spaces reserved for residents. 17 cars parked in the marina lot and 9 cars parked at the Ninth Street Park near city hall none with city parking permits.

The mayor said he thought the fee would discourage nonresidents from using the city beaches and cover the cost of maintaining the beaches for nonresidents. He suggested residents could continue to pay a $2 fee, discounted from the $50 amount because they are city taxpayers. City Attorney Paul Marino cautioned Rives, pointing to several legal issues in other communities over parking fees for nonresidents. Commissioner Richard Crowl asked that the city manager and attorney review the proposal and conduct further research. Other commissioners agreed, and the proposal was tabled.