The Manhattan City Commission approved the first reading of an ordinance Tuesday amending a section of code establishing regulations and penalties for violations within the downtown parking garage.
Parking Services Manager Adrienne Tucker says the clarification will give law enforcement more authority to cite folks who loiter in the garage.
The commission will revisit discussions at a later date regarding a potential future contract for license plate recognition technology and paid parking in the garage. In addition, commissioners chose not to alter any of the current ordinance impacting the Aggieville garage and its fee structure.
Mayor Wynn Butler weighed in.
Commissioner Peter Oppelt agreed.
Assistant City Manager Jared Wasinger estimates it will likely take about 3 to 4 months for the city to negotiate a contract and install cameras and pay stations.
In other business Tuesday, commissioners voted 4-1 on a resolution supporting Medicaid expansion. Commissioner John Matta was the lone opponent, asking the item be pulled off the consent agenda to make his case, stating it’s not the city’s place to be diving into the state’s political fights.
Others disagreed. Mayor Butler said he respected former mayor and current State Rep. Mike Dodson’s urging of commissioners to get behind such a measure to help force legislative leadership to at least debate the topic on the House or Senate floor. Commissioner Susan Adamchak says many support Medicaid expansion.
Manhattan joins communities like Emporia and Russell, whose commissions have passed similar measures.
