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Motorcycle Parking Fees Recommended without Notice or Public Consultation

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Re: City council voting on getting rid of free parking for motorcycles today

Like I keep saying, if you charge people to come to the city to park, fewer people will, and the city will lose more money than it will make by charging them to park. So... think twice before you take away someone's "free ride". Call it a business teaser, businesses do this all the time, in giving out samples or free gifts to entice you to do business with them. I call any removal of non-paid parking for motorcyclists blatant short-sightedness.

I guarantee you I will be bringing my spending money to Toronto less, if this happens. Guarantee <--
 
Re: City council voting on getting rid of free parking for motorcycles today

What's up everyone,

I'm new to the site. Just sent my councilor an email. Also posted on twitter under #gtabikeparking. Let me know if there is already a hash tag for this.
 
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Re: City council voting on getting rid of free parking for motorcycles today

Just getting up to date on this thread - lots to read. Thanks everyone for including updates - and continuing to do so. I have contacted my Councillor, who voted YES to the amendment, but ABSENT to the vote (asked for him to explain these voting tactics), as well as Andy Koropeski to be updated with any progress on this item.

** EDIT **
Response from my Councillor

"Hello *******,


Thank you for contacting my office to discuss the motion put forth by Councillor Del Grande to eliminate the free parking provision for motorcycles in Toronto.

I have not yet decided how I will be voting on this issue as I am trying to figure out where a balance can be struck that will ensure that all users pay for their fair share of the road and the fact that free parking for lower emission vehicles is good for the environment. I will take your e-mail under advisement during the debate on this issue.

This item has been referred to staff who will report back on the impact of charging for parking in the City Council meeting in February.


Warmest regards,

Mike"

**** END EDIT *****
 
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Re: City council voting on getting rid of free parking for motorcycles today

So when exactly are they voting on this?
 
Re: City council voting on getting rid of free parking for motorcycles today

I dont want to go through this all and get the emails to email again. Can someone PM them to me?
I want to start a weekly bombardment until spring.
 
Re: City council voting on getting rid of free parking for motorcycles today

rafiki911 said:
Going to look up who your councellor is and get you the email:)
Click to expand...
Thank you hun!
Gonna start a bi weekly email till spring muahaha!
 
Re: City council voting on getting rid of free parking for motorcycles today

Cat13 said:
Thank you hun!
Gonna start a bi weekly email till spring muahaha!
Click to expand...

Edited the post above the info is there. He seems like a pretty cool guy the times I've met him. Hope he replies and not some assistant:)
 
Re: City council voting on getting rid of free parking for motorcycles today

rafiki911 said:
Edited the post above the info is there. He seems like a pretty cool guy the times I've met him. Hope he replies and not some assistant:)
Click to expand...


Have I told ya today how much you rock?!?!
 
Re: City council voting on getting rid of free parking for motorcycles today

RetroGrouch said:
This point is somehow lost on most riders. People cry louder when they are given something and have it taken away then if they were never given it in the first place.
Click to expand...

Like freedom? Lol I know that's not fair but couldn't resist. I understand it's a privelege but once a rule is put into place it essentially becomes a right for as long as that rule is in effect. Make no mistake, "freedom" is a privelege too. Or is that illusion? I digress... I'm on the side that believes free parking for motorbikes is a net benefit for the city and should be protected for that reason.
 
Re: City council voting on getting rid of free parking for motorcycles today

AF4iK said:
Like freedom?
Click to expand...

Yeah, okay. Your analogy skills are somewhat lacking.
 
Re: City council voting on getting rid of free parking for motorcycles today

What happened to this motion? I had my calendar marked for the February 15th Public Works and Infrastructure Committee, but the meeting has been moved to the 16th, and doesn't mention anything about motorcycle parking in the schedule. Last time I checked this out, the 15th was the date, but there's no mention of that date on the motion's page anymore.

It says on the MM14.19 page that they were supposed to discuss this at the Feb 6th/7th City Council meeting, but there's no mention of the motion in either of those meeting's schedules, so I guess they never talked about it. Or did they and it's just not mentioned in the schedule? That's the most recent date mentioned anywhere that I can find, and it has already passed. What happens next?
 
Re: City council voting on getting rid of free parking for motorcycles today

...they were dealing with more important stuff, like not having a lock out or strike.
 
Re: City council voting on getting rid of free parking for motorcycles today

RetroGrouch said:
Hey, keep it quiet. Maybe they forgot about it all.
Click to expand...
They won't forget, but they are hoping we will, so they can sneak it in.
So let's be vigilant and keep the thread updated.
 
Re: City council voting on getting rid of free parking for motorcycles today

Just keep emailing the local MPs and keep reminding them that we arent going away.
 
Re: City council voting on getting rid of free parking for motorcycles today

Update – Last minute release of staff recommendations, No meaningful public consultation!

The staff person assigned as lead on this report is Sandra Burk, Transportation Services Supervisor. I e-mailed her today to follow up on the status of their report. She e-mailed back the following:

“Hi,

The report on motorcycle parking is not yet ready. It will not go forward to Committee/Council until April at the earliest, or possibly May/June. I will let you know when it is on the agenda.

Regards,
Sandra”

This means that we will not see the staff recommendations until the report goes on the Committee Agenda and becomes a public document. That usually only happens a few days before it goes to Committee for their recommendation to Council. You will not find out about it unless you contact Sandra Burk or the City Clerks office and tell them that you want to be notified about when this will be heard at Committee.

You can contact Sandra Burk at sburk@toronto.ca (416) 392-8750.
The Public Works and Infrastructure Committee Administrator in the Clerks Department is Candy Davidovits pwic@toronto.ca (416) 392-8032.

When I asked about public consultation, I got the following reply:

“We have been surveying other major cities across Canada to see how they regulate motorcycle parking. Also, we have been receiving communications from interested parties, including members of the public and people in the motorcycle industry, which we are taking into consideration while preparing the report. The Public Works and Infrastructure Committee meeting will be a public meeting with opportunities for interested parties to make deputations, if so desired. At this time, we are not planning on holding any separate public meeting on this issue.”

This means that there will only be one time when anyone from the City will be able to hear from us in person (limited to 5 minutes each), and that will be after staff have already made up their minds on what they want to recommend. The City Councillors who sit on Public Works and Infrastructure Committee will then make their recommendation to Council, and if Committee supports the staff recommendations, that will be the last time the public will have a chance to speak.

Committee can direct staff to meet with us. Please contact the Councillors on Committee and ask them for a fair chance for meaningful public input. These Councillors are:

Mark Grimes, Ward 6 Etobicoke-Lakeshore
councillor_grimes@toronto.ca (416) 397-9273

Mike Layton, Ward 19 Trinity-Spadina
councillor_layton@toronto.ca (416) 392-4009

Denzil Minnan-Wong, Ward 34 Don Valley East
councillor_minnan-wong@toronto.ca (416) 397-9256

John Parker, Ward 26 Don Valley West
councillor_parker@toronto.ca (416) 392-0215

Gord Perks, Ward 14 Parkdale-High Park
councillor_perks@toronto.ca (416) 392-7919

David Shiner, Ward 24 Willowdale
councillor_shiner@toronto.ca (416) 395-6413

My feeling is that, as staff got stuck with this as a last minute motion by Councillor Del Grande, they just want to get it over with. No going out and actually looking for input, just reacting to what we send them. No dialog, and I suspect it will be a recommendation they think will get through Committee and Council with as little extra work as possible.

We’ve got 1 shot at having our say, and unfortunately, we will have a very short time to react to what staff will recommend. A big show of force at Committee may be enough to get it sent back to be dealt with properly. Please, get the word out!
 
Re: City council voting on getting rid of free parking for motorcycles today

Face said:
Update – Last minute release of staff recommendations, No meaningful public consultation!

The staff person assigned as lead on this report is Sandra Burk, Transportation Services Supervisor. I e-mailed her today to follow up on the status of their report. She e-mailed back the following:

“Hi,

The report on motorcycle parking is not yet ready. It will not go forward to Committee/Council until April at the earliest, or possibly May/June. I will let you know when it is on the agenda.

Regards,
Sandra”

This means that we will not see the staff recommendations until the report goes on the Committee Agenda and becomes a public document. That usually only happens a few days before it goes to Committee for their recommendation to Council. You will not find out about it unless you contact Sandra Burk or the City Clerks office and tell them that you want to be notified about when this will be heard at Committee.

You can contact Sandra Burk at sburk@toronto.ca (416) 392-8750.
The Public Works and Infrastructure Committee Administrator in the Clerks Department is Candy Davidovits pwic@toronto.ca (416) 392-8032.

When I asked about public consultation, I got the following reply:

“We have been surveying other major cities across Canada to see how they regulate motorcycle parking. Also, we have been receiving communications from interested parties, including members of the public and people in the motorcycle industry, which we are taking into consideration while preparing the report. The Public Works and Infrastructure Committee meeting will be a public meeting with opportunities for interested parties to make deputations, if so desired. At this time, we are not planning on holding any separate public meeting on this issue.”

This means that there will only be one time when anyone from the City will be able to hear from us in person (limited to 5 minutes each), and that will be after staff have already made up their minds on what they want to recommend. The City Councillors who sit on Public Works and Infrastructure Committee will then make their recommendation to Council, and if Committee supports the staff recommendations, that will be the last time the public will have a chance to speak.

Committee can direct staff to meet with us. Please contact the Councillors on Committee and ask them for a fair chance for meaningful public input. These Councillors are:

Mark Grimes, Ward 6 Etobicoke-Lakeshore
councillor_grimes@toronto.ca (416) 397-9273

Mike Layton, Ward 19 Trinity-Spadina
councillor_layton@toronto.ca (416) 392-4009

Denzil Minnan-Wong, Ward 34 Don Valley East
councillor_minnan-wong@toronto.ca (416) 397-9256

John Parker, Ward 26 Don Valley West
councillor_parker@toronto.ca (416) 392-0215

Gord Perks, Ward 14 Parkdale-High Park
councillor_perks@toronto.ca (416) 392-7919

David Shiner, Ward 24 Willowdale
councillor_shiner@toronto.ca (416) 395-6413

My feeling is that, as staff got stuck with this as a last minute motion by Councillor Del Grande, they just want to get it over with. No going out and actually looking for input, just reacting to what we send them. No dialog, and I suspect it will be a recommendation they think will get through Committee and Council with as little extra work as possible.

We’ve got 1 shot at having our say, and unfortunately, we will have a very short time to react to what staff will recommend. A big show of force at Committee may be enough to get it sent back to be dealt with properly. Please, get the word out!
Click to expand...


So email Sandra and we will get our 5 min to speak? I am willing to go with people to a meeting to fight for our side if need be.
 
Re: City council voting on getting rid of free parking for motorcycles today

Cat13 said:
So email Sandra and we will get our 5 min to speak? I am willing to go with people to a meeting to fight for our side if need be.
Click to expand...

E-mail both Sandra and Candy. The Clerks office keeps the formal record and sends out the notifications.

If one of the Councillors on this list is your Councillor, e-mail him, tell him your a resident of his ward. Ask that when it comes to Public Works and Infrastructure Committee, that he vote to send the report back to staff and direct them to hold meaningful consultation with riders like us who are most affected.
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