Update: If you back into a parking space downtown, you could still get a ticket

City of Wichita staff poured cold water on a directive from some council members to repeal an ordinance that prohibits backing into parking stalls.

Instead, first-time offenders will receive a warning and more signage will be posted educating visitors about the ordinance.

“We would like to see it stay in place,” Public Works Director Gary Janzen told the council at a workshop meeting Tuesday.

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

City staff cited a lack of efficiency and property damage as reasons to keep the ordinance.

The Car Park enforces paid parking downtown by scanning license plates on cars 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.

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

“It would absolutely impact the efficiency of parking enforcement,” city Parking Manager Stephanie Knebel said about repealing the ordinance. “They would have to physically get out of the car, walk around to the back of the parked car, read the license plate and then issue whatever citation may be in place at that time.”

Previously, The Eagle reported 212 people have received citations for backing into parking spaces since paid parking began last year.

The city provided updated numbers at its workshop meeting Tuesday showing that 281 citations have been issued by The Car Park.

All of those who received a citation for backing in already paid for parking.

“If they haven’t started a parking session, it stops right there,” Janzen said. “That’s the citation they would get.”

Wu questioned the city’s motives behind implementing the paid parking system.

“What is the purpose of this parking plan then?” Wu said. “Is it to encourage people to pay for parking because they’re utilizing… that space? Or is it to fine people?”

Janzen pushed back against Wu’s questions.

“Our goal is for everybody to understand what the rules are,” Janzen said. “We’re not here to fine people… We’re not counting on revenue from fines. In a perfect world, we want everybody to understand what the rules are so we can have… a self-supporting, sustainable fund from the fees that are paid to park legally.”

Wu still pushed for the city to repeal the ordinance, but a majority of council members did not voice support for doing so.

“I see justifications for keeping it, but I also see that we probably should do a better job at educating,” council member Dalton Glasscock said.