Back-in parking ban leads to tickets in downtown Wichita. Could the law change?

Backing into parking stalls is common in Wichita. But downtown, that can get you a ticket.

Since paid parking began last year, 212 tickets have been issued by The Car Park for backing into parking stalls in downtown Wichita.

Now, Mayor Lily Wu and council member Mike Hoheisel – who both voted against paid parking downtown – are pushing to repeal the ordinance that prohibits backing in.

“It’s a cultural thing here in Wichita. I get it, It’s easier to pull out that way, that’s definitely for sure,” Hoheisel said. “Some would even argue safer, because you can see in front of you. … Honestly, we’re just taking a look at options. How can we work around that?”

The Wichita Police Department has not issued tickets for backing into parking stalls recently, according to the mayor, leading to the surprise downtown visitors get when the vendor hired by the city to enforce paid parking tickets them for doing so.

Such violations levy an at least $25 fine, according to the city’s fee schedule.

The Car Park enforces paid parking downtown by scanning license plates as employees drive by, checking to see if those plates have been registered in the system for a parking session.

When cars are backed in, employees are unable to use that technology and issue the fine.

“While I didn’t vote for paid parking, I still believe that now, since it is here, how do you make it fair and understandable for all?” Wu said. “So, if this is something that our community is raising a concern, I’m obviously going to be on their side.”

The city said the ordinance was passed in at least 2008, possibly due to the state not requiring front license plates, and to damage to city property.

“We have seen damage to planters, walls, fences, and other City assets over the years because of back in parking,” Public Works Director Gary Janzen said in an email to The Eagle.

Janzen said repealing the ordinance could affect how The Car Park enforces paid parking.

“The efficiency of Car Park’s automatic plate readers (via a mobile process) will be greatly impacted if the ordinance is repealed,” he said.

Mayor Lily Wu disagrees, however.

“I do know that staff from Car Park have been getting out of their vehicles to check licenses as well,” Wu said. “So this would be just an adjustment.”

Parking concerns

Wu and Hoheisel see this latest issue as one of the headaches visitors now get with paid parking downtown.

“It’s just circumstances that arise as you work through new programs and plans in the city,” Hoheisel said.

The City Hall parking lot also has been folded into the paid parking system.

Visitors to City Hall used to be greeted by ticket machines, with the first half hour of parking free.

They now have to pay to park in the lot, regardless of why they are going to City Hall.

“I don’t feel like anybody should have to pay to petition their government,” Hoheisel said.

The city has yet to fully implement paid parking, with conversations about how to implement paid parking in Old Town and Delano.

“There’s a lot of things in the system that need to be communicated,” Wu said, “and so I’m going to be challenging the city manager to communicate, not only to staff, to visitors, but also to residents in our community about this parking system.”

Event parking fees may also be coming to downtown soon, with some parking lots seeing as high as a $35 to $50 fee.

Fees near Intrust Bank Arena and Century II currently vary.

Council members are pushing back against that.

“You can’t be having parking be more than half of the ticket to the concert you’re going to,” Hoheisel said, “leaves a bad taste in a lot of people’s mouths, for good reason.”

The City Council is expected to hear an update on the ordinance and other parking issues at its April 28 workshop meeting.