Hello council members-
In the past many months I have observed the excessive and unnecessary over-ticketing of the parking meters on that part of Aster Street near the Urth Caffe. These tickets involve the two mornings of street sweeping in this particular commercial district where parking meters are located.
This street sweeper arrives at this area between 9 a.m. and noon. The sweeping at this time services a residential street up to High Drive and ends at the commercial area near the Urth Caffe. I have seen as many as six tickets placed on the windshield of cars that were parked with limited knowledge and viewing of other signs posted regarding street sweeping times. If the signage was more adequate and viewing more adequate there would be way fewer tickets given.
I have gone to this location many times to view the ticketing process and found it staggering. Numerous emails have been sent to various members of the city staff to discuss and to view this issue. No one offered to meet me at the site in question to view the unfair ticketing that takes place twice weekly. Finally, someone from the city did meet me outside Urth Caffe and observed the situation. This on-site meeting took place nearly a month ago and there was agreement with this city staff member that something should be done. This gentleman has remained in contact with me and has presented signage information to those who make the signage for the city. I was informed that that the new signage was in process with some delays and that it would be attached to each parking meter for easy reading. This morning (June 5) I did drive to observe the meters in question and found no additional signage but five tickets were attached to various windshields. This unfair carnage must stop. It has been going on for years and years. It does not represent the friendly nature of Laguna Beach. Street sweeping should not occur in any commercial area with parking meters during business hours. It is unfair.
Jim Gothard
Laguna Beach
