§ 53. Parking authority.

(a)

There shall be appointed by the mayor of the city of Bristol and confirmed by a majority of the city council six (6) electors of Bristol who shall constitute the Bristol Parking Authority, hereinafter referred to as the parking authority. Such members shall serve for a term of three years and shall serve without pay but may be reimbursed for necessary expenses. The mayor shall be a member ex officio and may vote only in the event of a tie vote. The chief of police, the director of public works and the city engineer shall be members ex officio without vote. All vacancies in said parking authority shall be promptly filled for the unexpired portions of the terms by similar appointment on the part of the mayor and confirmation on the part of the city council. The parking authority shall meet within thirty days of its appointment and at least once every two months thereafter. Four members shall constitute a quorum. The parking authority shall elect its own chairperson and secretary, and shall organize with such rules and by-laws as it deems advisable. It shall keep minutes of all meetings, which shall be available to the public. It shall maintain proper accounting and financial records, and shall make a report semi-annually to the mayor, the city council and the board of finance. Members of the parking authority may be removed by a majority vote of the city council for inefficiency, neglect of duty, or malfeasance in office. Three successive absences from meetings without justifiable cause shall be deemed neglect of duty with no other proof required. The mayor shall have power to call special meetings and to compel the attendance of members to regular and special meetings by warrant duly signed by the mayor and served by any suitable officer or indifferent person at least two days prior to the time of the designated meeting.

(b)

The parking authority is authorized and empowered to establish, construct, maintain and operate public parking facilities, to purchase, lease or otherwise own and acquire land and buildings to be used for public parking of vehicles within the limits of the city of Bristol. All off-street parking facilities to be established shall first be approved by the city planning commission which shall render its decision within thirty days after the filing of an application for approval by the city council. The city council may acquire the necessary land or properties to be used for public parking by right of condemnation under the general statutes, provided it shall not be empowered to take by eminent domain any property from a corporation which has the right of eminent domain, and this act shall not affect the powers of eminent domain of any such corporation.

(c)

The parking authority shall have the sole power to install parking meters on the public streets or highways or other public places, including public parking lots, in the city of Bristol, and shall have authority to operate and maintain existing parking meters and to collect the proceeds therefrom and to use such monies as hereinafter specified. Rates for parking shall be established in accordance with the general statutes. The commission shall not dispense or furnish, or allow any lessee or occupant to dispense or furnish, upon or in connection with any off-street parking facility acquired, maintained or operated pursuant to this act, any product or service other than the parking of motor vehicles.

(d)

The board of police commissioners, subject to approval of the parking authority, shall be empowered to make and alter, from time to time, rules and regulations with respect to parking on public streets, highways or public places for the purpose of maintaining order and safety in any parking facility operated by the parking authority. The penalties for violation of such rules and regulations shall be set by ordinance or ordinances of the city council. The board of police commissioners shall enforce such rules and regulations and shall be reimbursed by the parking authority for the cost thereof.

(e)

The parking authority shall have the power to employ such employees, other than members of the police department, as it may deem necessary and shall prescribe and define their duties and powers. Compensation for such employees shall be determined in accordance with the rules and regulations of said city. All members and employees charged with the handling of money shall be bonded, and the cost of such bonds shall be paid by the parking authority.

(f)

The public works department is charged with the maintenance of all off-street parking facilities, excluding meters, and shall be reimbursed by the parking authority for the cost of said maintenance.

(g)

Bonds necessary to effectuate this charter shall be issued in conformity with the charter of the City of Bristol.

(h)

The provisions of the charter of the City of Bristol, as amended, regarding budget estimates to be furnished the board of finance and other reports and information required by the board of finance shall apply to the parking authority and the approval of the city council shall be required in the event said parking authority is to finance the establishment of said parking facilities either in full or in part by any one or any combination of the following methods: (a) General obligation bonds with legal debt limitation; (b) General fund appropriations to the extent deemed necessary or desirable; (c) State and federal grants and local aids to the extent available for the provision of off-street parking facilities; (d) Gifts, bequests, devises, grants or otherwise.

(i)

Monies received under the provisions of this charter shall be applied by the parking authority for the following purposes, in the order listed: (a) For payment of principal and interest of such parking bonds as the parking authority or the City of Bristol may issue; (b) To provide reasonable reserves, subject to approval of the city council and board of finance, for the maintaining, repairing and operating of the parking facilities, excluding therefrom reserves for the principal of and interest on such parking bonds; (c) To construct, purchase, lease, maintain and operate public parking facilities. All monies remaining after fulfilling the obligations in the order herein specified shall be set over and transferred to the general fund of the City of Bristol on the first day of July of each year. Funds of the parking authority shall be subject to an annual audit by the auditor or auditors of the city.

(j)

The City of Bristol and private agencies shall be reimbursed by the parking authority for funds advanced to it for the purpose of conducting a preliminary survey of parking facilities.

(k)

Any person aggrieved by any action of the parking authority of the City of Bristol or any member of the city council may appeal therefrom within ten days to a court of competent jurisdiction. The corporation counsel of the City of Bristol shall institute an appeal only at the request of the mayor or any member of the city council.

(Amend. eff. 11-9-83; Amend. eff. 12-2-10; Amend. eff. 12-8-11; Amend. eff. 12-5-13)

Legislative history— Sp. No. 307, 1949; Sp. No. 247, 1955; Sp. No. 77, 1957.