O-28-26 Department of Transportation Fine Waivers

At a glance

What: Ordinance O-28-26 changes how Department of Transportation (parking) fines are handled and allows fine waivers.
Where it stands: Public hearing held and closed 2026-10-12 with one speaker, who opposed it. On 2026-10-21 the Public Safety Committee postponed action by voice vote so an amendment can be drafted; it returns to that committee at its next meeting, then a second reading.
Main concern raised: A resident urged aldermen not to hand away their ability to help constituents with parking tickets, arguing the change moves that discretion to administrators.

An assistant city attorney said the bill covers all of Title 12, including misdemeanors that only a state's attorney or judge can reduce; waivers should be limited to parking citations, ideally by amending the existing parking-fine section.
"City employee" should read employees, officials and agents; council power to waive fines blurs separation of powers and creates a two-track equity problem.
An amendment by Alderman Savidge is already drafted. Alderman Smith-Brown asked the law office and legislative staff to draft a committee amendment with the sponsor.

About 9 minutes across 2 meetings (from transcript timestamps; approximate).

Meeting	Minutes
2026-10-21 - Public Safety Committee	5
2026-10-12 - City Council (Regular Meeting) (Part 2)	4

2026-10-21 - Public Safety Committee - Law office said the bill reaches misdemeanors the city cannot waive and should be limited to parking citations; committee postponed action by voice vote so the law office and staff can draft an amendment (6:38-11:19).
2026-10-12 - City Council (Regular Meeting) (Part 2) - Public hearing (6:41-10:40): one speaker opposed the ordinance as taking helpful discretion away from elected officials; hearing closed.
2026-11-10 - Transportation Committee Special Meeting - On the special Transportation Committee agenda with Amendment 1 (Alderman Savidge). Outcome not yet recorded.