§ 12-134. Exemptions from metered payment.

(a)

All commercial trucks while actually loading and unloading are required to pull in to the curb without charge in metered spaces. Any commercial truck parked in a meter space longer than while actually loading and unloading will be in violation of the law. Provided however, where a center lane is available for temporary commercial parking for unloading or loading, commercial trucks shall utilize the center lane rather than the curb side.

(b)

Vehicles bearing license plates or hang tags, or other publicly displaced permit issued by appropriate state authority indicating that the operator is a disabled veteran, Purple Heart/Medal of Honor recipient or disabled person shall be exempt from the requirements of this division pertaining to tendering payment for parking. All other parking and meter regulations, including overtime parking prohibitions, shall apply to such operators.

(c)

Jurors and witnesses who testify or are subpoenaed to testify in criminal cases in any court, while in attendance at court, shall not be subject to parking meter requirements for deposit of coins or overtime parking, and parking meter citations certified by the municipal clerk of court, or municipal judge as exempt under this subsection shall be cancelled.

(d)

Emergency, fire law enforcement personnel and public employees in the performance of their duty and while in the course and scope of their employment.

(e)

Vehicles bearing a properly issued city decal pursuant to payment of ad-valorem taxes on the vehicle.

(f)

Vehicles that are actively being used in media or news coverage, gathering or reporting and display a press parking placard issued by the parking authority, subject to the following conditions:

(1)

A conspicuously displayed press parking placard allows a member of the media to park in metered spaces while engaged in the course and scope of media coverage or event. The permit may be used at parking meters in lieu of depositing coins for the duration of the news coverage or event. A press parking placard does not exempt a member of the media from other parking restrictions such as yellow curbing, fire lanes, red zones, hydrants, crosswalks, bus zones, disabled parking zones or access ramps, commercial loading zones, taxi cab zones, no stopping or no parking zones, transit lanes and other tow-away zones under state or local law. The parking permit does not entitle the member of the media to enter a restricted area if such entry interferes with the duties of law enforcement or emergency personnel.

(2)

In order to qualify, the media outlet must have the present ability to publicly broadcast under the licensure and regulation of the Federal Communications Commission; or have the ability to publish legal notices sufficient under state;

(3)

The editor, news director, or other person of managerial or directorial status of the media outlet shall submit of application to receive up to four placards;

(4)

The application shall contain a copy of the vehicle registration expected to be exempt from meter payment, whether as part of a fleet or a personal vehicle used in the course and scope of media work;

(5)

Should the placard permit be lost or stolen, the media outlet shall file a report with the police department. Only upon the filing of a report and the payment of the fee, a replacement placard be issued.

(6)

The editor, news director, or other person of managerial or directorial status of the media outlet shall be required to retain possession of the placards, when the user is not actively on assignment, and the user shall be required to return the placard to the editor, news director, or other person of managerial or directorial status of the media outlet after the use of each day.

(Ord. No. 2016-62, 8-9-16)