6/23/1992 - Laserfiche WebLink

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1 M Chairman Eggert explained that she asked for this to be brought forward because there has been a change in the law that allows us to use some of the additional penalty monies to improve accessibility and equal opportunity to qualified disabled persons in the county and to provide funds to conduct public awareness programs. She noted that this could lead to a follow-up ordinance that would allow a volunteer ticketing group such as the one that has been working successfully in St. Lucie County. Chairman Eggert reported that she has received a lot of requests from people who support an ordinance increasing the penalty to the maximum and allowing the additional funds to be used for related programs. Commissioner Bird wondered if the penalty should be $200 to be consistent with that of the City of Vero Beach, but Chairman Eggert explained that $250 is the maximum allowed by the State. Chairman Eggert opened the Public Hearing and asked if anyone wished to be heard in this matter. Neil Duval, resident of Sebastian and president of the local Spinal Cord Association, held up a petition signed by 127 persons in favor of the ordinance increasing the penalty to $250 and in favor of a volunteer patrol. They feel this ordinance is very much needed to help slow down the illegal use of the disabled parking spaces. Colleen 8oullen, president of Citizens for a Barrier Free Community in St. Lucie County, appreciated the opportunity to address the Indian River County Commission. Their program has been to establish a handicapped parking patrol by volunteers who are trained by the Sheriff's Department in a 40 -hour course. Their violation penalty of $102 is much less than the maximum allowed by the State, but she felt that IRC's penalty would be a better deterrent to keep those who are not handicapped from using the handicapped parking spaces. Mrs. Scullen urged the Board to make provisions for a volunteer parking patrol and a public awareness program. In the year 19 JUN 23 1992 I