City Council approves amended contract with PARKatlanta to address motorist concerns

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The Atlanta CityCouncil Monday approved 13-0 an amended contractual agreement with PARKatlantato address continued concerns from motorists and to improve customer relations.

The legislation wasintroduced by City Council Member H. Lamar Willis.
“I think the passageof this legislation demonstrates that we as a council….hear the voices of ourconstituents, and are taking the right steps to alleviate their concerns withregards to PARKatlanta,” said Councilman At Large H. Lamar Willis whointroduced the legislation.
“I believe that withPARKatlanta having to pay penalties to the city for improper enforcement, wewill see improved signage, a more efficient complaint mediation process, andbetter customer service,” Willis added.
PARKatlanta, asubsidiary of Duncan Solutions, signed a seven-year contract with the city in2009 to, among other things, purchase, install and collect money from newmeters, install parking signs and street markings, and issue parking citations.
Some of the keyprovisions under the new amended PARKatlanta agreement are:

• PARKatlanta will nowmaintain all parking related signage in right-of-way.
• PARKatlanta  mustprovide an online process for filing complaints on its website.
• PARKatlanta mustrespond to all online complaints within 2 days.
• PARKatlanta must sharewith the city all complaints, as well as PARKatlanta’s responses to thosecomplaints.
• PARKatlanta must havea specific phone number dedicated solely to questions and complaints.
• PARKatlanta employee mustreceive improved training that is approved by the city.

“Today’s votesignifies council’s commitment to improving the customer experience withPARKatlanta,” said Council President Mitchell. “I look forward to working withPARKatlanta as we implement these enhancements to the parking program inresponse to the public’s concerns over fees and enforcement.”

Under the amended contract, citations may not be issued:  where meters arenon-functioning;  where unclear, conflicting, or hidden signage is in place; wheresignage needs to be repaired, replaced, or relocated, or  where signage is notinstalled, has been removed, or is otherwise missing from a metered area.
If a ticket is issuedin any of these cases, the ticket shall be promptly voided by PARKatlanta oncethey are made aware.
As a result of theseconcessions, PARKatlanta will pay the city $5.3 million annually instead of$5.5 million.