The times posted for metered parking are 9am-9pm in the Mid-Town Landing parking lot in downtown Williamsport. DAVE KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette

The Williamsport Parking Authority has hired a second enforcement officer, one who will be checking on any parking violations and issuing tickets during later hours.

This enforcement is on off-street lots, where enforcement is from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., excluding Saturday, Sundays and holidays and on-street metered parking from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. and other locations.

“We have hired a second enforcement officer who will check the streets after business hours,” said Jared Kinley, chairman of the Williamsport Parking Authority.

The parking authority enforces on-street metered parking from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., with exception of Saturdays, Sundays and holidays, and it looks for parking violations in off-street lots from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., he said.

The authority has heard from a local business owner and has historically had problems with individuals who abuse the parking lots, parking their cars overnight, leaving fewer spaces open for legitimate parking needs. “The problem is people who park here from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.,” he said. “There are several longstanding business people who park blocks away and/or in the garages because they know the importance of leaving parking spaces open for customers,” he said, referring to the Mid-Town Landing, which has about 30 spaces, roughly 25 open, two for accessible needs and three for PNC bank.

“At this point we do still have the option for Saturday for enforcement but we don’t see the conflict on Saturday as big but that option if needed can be implemented,” Kinley said.

Parking issues were brought up recently at the City Council meeting.

Before the new hire, Councilman Jon Mackey, chair of the public safety committee, said there are a significant number of lots where enforcement is 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. “It does not line up with the hours of the parking enforcement officer working for the Williamsport Parking Authority . . . in essence we’re really asking for people to pay for parking when they don’t need to,” Mackey said.

“After hours, after work hours, when we want people to come downtown, right?” he questioned.

“We’ve got a ton of great restaurants and shops that stay open later,” he said.

“So, the idea that the parking authority is posting signs and having people put money into those meters when they know full well that nobody is going to come along to put a ticket on those cars doesn’t seem right. I don’t know how we address that. I don’t know who we need to start a conversation with but I think it’s a conversation that needs to be had because it doesn’t feel right for lack of a better term.”

“Agreed,” said Council President Adam Yoder. “Agreed.”

Many individuals who work downtown, in some instances who have spots paid for them in lots further away from the heart of the Central Business District, are taking away spaces from customers looking to park close to restaurants, stores and to go to events.

In fact, there are longstanding business people who pay to park in the two nearby garages because they want the customers to have enough space downtown in which to park, according to Kinley.

Signs at Midtown Landing, for example, which is accessible via William Street, indicate parking is enforced 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., with the exceptions. River Valley Transit Authority owns the lot and sets the rates and fines, with the Williamsport Parking Authority enforcing the regulations, such as issuing any tickets, Kinley said. The authority has heard from local business owners with their concerns about enforcement and parking violations, he said.

The Mid-Town Landing was built in a different administration, before River Valley Transit Authority was an authority and when the Williamsport Parking Authority was tied with RVT in terms of financial management. Today, Mid-Town Landing is maintained by River Valley Transit and enforced by the Williamsport Parking Authority, which will issue tickets for violations. RVTA staff, for example, will plant trees, plow the snow and clean the lot. The enforcement officer walking the route enforces the parking at the space which was designed to be close to downtown stores and accessible to the Trade and Transit Centre II and I.

The authority offers options such as two nearby parking garages, one on Third Street and one on Church Street, and provides options to buy monthly permits. It has an online web address that has all of its updated regulations and contact information.

For further questions and business transactions, the parking authority office is at 270 W. Third St. and open 9 to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.