Hermosa Beach

The City Council on Tuesday introduced an ordinance which would eliminate a 15-minute grace period on expired parking meters downtown.

Acting as the Vehicle Parking District, the council also approved a temporary two-hour free parking program in downtown Lots A and C.

At the urging of the Chamber of Commerce, however, the grace period, in which tickets are not issued in the first 15 minutes after the parking meter expires as a courtesy to downtown businesses and their patrons, will be reinstituted on a trial basis from May 15 through June 30.

According to General Services Director Joan Noon, an estimated $423,000 in ticket revenues were lost last year as result of the grace period.

Following Tuesday’s actions the city will also advertise for a parking firm to manage city Lots A (on Hermosa Avenue at 10th Street) and C (on Hermosa Avenue at 13th Street) on a part-time basis from September to May and full time during the summer months.

Two hours of free parking will be permitted until a parking service is retained by the city. Afterward, free parking will be allowed at the two lots during hours when the attendants are not on duty.