RACINE ⏤ A planned change to city of Racine winter parking restrictions isn’t taking place.
Instead, the city will continue to enforce the current winter parking restrictions for the 2020-2021 winter season. Those restrictions run from 2 a.m. to 6 a.m. during snow emergencies.
The Department of Public Works (DPW) had proposed extending the parking restriction from 2 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the 2021 budget.
Officials expected the move to save about $60,000 in overtime costs. They believed it would also give DPW drivers, who sometimes work 12- to 18-hour shifts, the opportunity to get some sleep before continuing snow and ice removal work on a regular day shift.
Because of the budget impact, part of the budget process included the ordinance change. After the budget’s adoption, the city publicized the ordinance change to go into effect starting Dec. 1.
Resident calls cancel new restrictions
However, Mayor Cory Mason’s office immediately got calls from residents asking why the lengthier parking restrictions were in place every day, not just during snow emergencies.
“It was not my intent to have that be the case. I believed we were only implementing this during snow and ice operations or snow emergencies; however, the ordinance was not drafted to reflect that,” Mason said in a news release.
In investigating, officials discovered the Racine Common Council approved the new budget, but not the proposed winter parking ordinance. As a result, the city decided to leave the 2 a.m. to 6 a.m. winter parking restrictions in place.
“To avoid any further confusion, we will not look to change those restrictions for at least the remainder of the winter season,” the mayor added.
Also in the News
First-generation high school graduate Esquivel excels despite language barriers, finds a best friend
RACINE — Vivian Esquivel came to the United States from Mexico in September in search of opportunities. Upon coming to Racine, she enrolled at Park High School, with the mindset to take advantage of the education she would get to explore. Now, less than a year later, Esquivel is graduating with a 4.0 and is…
Milwaukee woman accused of stealing almost $30K from at least 2 Ulta stores
RACINE COUNTY — A 20-year-old Milwaukee woman is suspected of stealing almost $30,000 in perfume, makeup, and other items from two Ulta stores in Wisconsin and Illinois. Shavona Williams was charged Friday, June 2, in Racine County Circuit Court with one felony charge each of retail theft of an amount greater than $10,000 and bail…
Man facing firearms charges after 8-year-old brother shot himself in the foot
RACINE — A 21-year-old Racine man is facing firearms charges after his 8-year-old brother shot himself in the foot allegedly using the man’s gun. Alejandro Jaramillo was charged Friday, June 2, in Racine County Circuit Court with a single felony charge of possession of a firearm by an adjudicated delinquent and four misdemeanor charges of…