Supervisor Jake McGoldrick: Parking, Parking, Parking

I am happy to report that the plan to install an estimated 140 high-tech parking machines for 1,600 spaces in Golden Gate Park was finally defeated at the SF Board of Supervisors last month. I opposed the initiative from the start. I believe that access to parks create happier and healthier people. Citizens should not have to pay to enjoy the beauty of Golden Gate Park.

Considering there are few mass transit lines leading into the park, installing hourly parking meters in the park would have made it even more difficult for park-goers to enjoy a day at the park. In addition, installing parking meters in Golden Gate Park would encourage park-goers to park in the surrounding residential streets, making it more difficult for Richmond residents to find neighborhood parking.

On the first of two required readings by the Board of Supervisors, the measure was passed (in a 6-5 vote) as part of the SF Recreation and Park Department budget. However, after public outcry erupted over the adoption of the plan, the final decision was delayed and then finally defeated. Alternatively, the City will start to regularly enforce the parking restrictions already in place in the park that limit parking to three or four hours along certain roads.

In other parking-related news, increased parking fines went into effect on June 1. I voted against the increase in parking fines because I felt the fines were already too high. However, the Board of Supervisors passed the measure in a 9-2 vote. The other supervisor voting against the measure was against the measure because he believed the fines were not high enough. The new parking fines range from $35 to $100. Effective June 1, the cost of some of the more common parking fines are: street cleaning, off street parking - $35; off street overtime, residential permit area - $35; parking meters, overtime parking - $35; overtime parking - downtown - $40; parking meters - downtown - $40; no registration tabs - $50; abandoned vehicle, double parking - $55; blocked driveway - $75; commercial parking, limited - $100; no parking for commercial vehicles - $100.

In addition to the increase in parking fines, late fee penalties have doubled or tripled. There are two late payment periods. If you fail to pay the parking fine on time and wait until the first late payment period, then you must pay an additional $25, as compared with the old $12 fee. If you fail to pay the parking fine by the first late payment period, then a second late fee of $35 is added to the total fine, as compared to the old $15 fee. For example, a street cleaning ticket of $35 would increase to $60 if paid during the first late payment period and would increase to $95 if paid after that time. In summary, please try not to get a parking ticket and if you do, please make sure you pay the parking fine immediately in order to avoid the expensive late fee penalties.

Changes in My Office
Julia Lin, who worked for two years as one of my two legislative assistants, has moved on to Yale University to pursue a master's degree. While she will be missed, I am delighted to introduce Cybele Chang as a new face in my office. Cybele has a long history in the field of environmental protection and most recently received a master's degree in urban planning from MIT. She now staffs the land use committee and works on planning and environmentally related legislation. Cybele speaks Mandarin, so if anyone in the community requires the assistance of a Mandarin language speaker, please do not hesitate to call her at (415) 554-7413.

Upcoming Meetings
I will be holding a Town Hall Meeting on Saturday, Sept. 27 at the Richmond Recreation Center, 251 18th Ave., between California and Clement streets, from 10 a.m. to noon. The topic of this month's meeting is the clean streets/clean government November ballot measure that would allow the city controller to conduct an annual review of the efficiency and effectiveness of programs related to cleaning and maintenance of streets, sidewalks and parks. In addition, in conjunction with our office, the SF Department of Public Works will be holding a meeting at the end of September with Clement Street merchants about the Clean Patrol program, which is a pilot street cleaning program along Clement Street. Please call my office to find out the exact date and time of this event. If you have questions about either of these events, call my office at 554-7410.

San Francisco Supervisor Jake McGoldrick represents District 1.