Free parking for restaurant pickups in Barrie could be extended to June 3 or two weeks beyond the provincial stay-at-home order.
Councillors gave initial approval Monday night to the extension; Barrie residents who receive a parking ticket can have it cancelled if they provide a receipt from a city restaurant for an amount equal to or greater than the set fine, within five days after receiving the ticket.
This program began April 14 and was to run until May 14 before Monday’s proposed change, which passed without discussion. It will be considered for final approval at the May 10 city council meeting.
This program would also be reinstated if any future provincial stay-at-home orders are issued related to COVID-19. It doesn’t apply to any tickets received where parking is prohibited or causes a safety concern.
The set fine is $30 for failing to pay at a meter or pay-and-display machine. Downtown parking rates in Barrie are $1.25 per hour on-street, $1 an hour off-street.
City staff have said this program works by scanning and e-mailing the ticket and restaurant receipt to Barrie’s bylaw enforcement services department.
