* WARNING: THIS IS AN UNOFFICIAL, INTRODUCTORY COPY OF THE BILL.
THE OFFICIAL COPY CONSIDERED BY THE CITY COUNCIL IS THE FIRST READER COPY.
INTRODUCTORY*
CITY OF BALTIMORE
COUNCIL BILL R
(Resolution)
Introduced by: Councilmember Young
A RESOLUTION ENTITLED
A COUNCIL RESOLUTION concerning
Title
Holiday Ticket Amnesty
FOR the purpose of requesting the Director of the Department of Transportation and the Chief of the Safety Division to institute a policy of ticket amnesty for persons who receive certain tickets the day after the Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays.
Body
Recitals
Many government and private sector employers grant a vacation day or institute a liberal leave policy for employees for the days after the Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays. In fact, Fringe Benefits and Working Conditions in Manufacturing Firms, first published in 2000 found that the median number of paid holidays granted is 9 or 9½ days annually. In addition to the basic 6 holidays, the paid holidays granted most frequently include the day after Thanksgiving (78%).
The Bureau of Accounting and Payroll services reports that on November 28, 2008, the day after Thanksgiving, employees took the day off and on December 26, 2008, the day after Christmas, city employees did not report for work. State employees were not given a choice but as a result of an Executive Order were required to take 2 days pay equivalent salary reduction predesignated for December 26, 2008, and January 2,2009.
Baltimore City Parking Control Unit reports that on November 28, 2008, 1216 parking tickets were issued including: 271 for expired meters; 486 for parking in street cleaning zones; 214 in no stopping/ towing zones; and 111 in no stopping zones. On December 12, 2008, 865 parking tickets were issued - 230 for expired meters; 351 street cleaning zones; and 164 no stopping/towing zones; and 120 in no stopping zones.
Many Maryland residents have been effected by the depressed economy. Baltimore City homeowners have experienced the highest foreclosure rate in the state and Baltimore City employees and Maryland State employees have had to make many financial sacrifices in order to address state and city budget shortfalls.
Because those on whose hard work the economy depends were off these 2 days either as a result of well-deserved leave, non-voluntary furlough, or in the worst case scenario, loss of employment, it seems only fitting that they not be further penalized by the imposition of parking ticket fees for parking their vehicles in the neighborhoods in which they live or in which they spend their hard earned money .
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF BALTIMORE, That the Director of the Department of Transportation and the Chief of the Safety Division are requested to institute a policy of ticket amnesty for persons who received certain tickets the day after the Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays.
AND BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution be sent to the Mayor, the Director of Transportation the Chief of the Safety Division of Transportation, the Director of Finance, and the Mayor's Legislative Liaison to the City Council.
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ccres/amnesty/nf
DRAFT 07JAN09 DRAFT 07JAN09
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ccres/amnesty/nf