People who have one or two Cincinnati parking tickets at expired meters in the city will like get a little amnesty next week.
A committee approved a compromise on the "Holiday Food for Fines Ticket Amnesty" program Tuesday and the full Council will vote on it Wednesday.
The program allows those with 2 or fewer expired parking meter violations from 2014 to pay one $45 ticket, and the $45 late fee can be cleared by donating 10 canned goods instead to the city. Those canned goods will be given to the Freestore Foodbank. The program is proposed to run from December 15th to the 19th.
"This is a one-time chance to clear an old debt, and do good for your community at the same time," said Council Member Chris Seelbach in a statement. He worked on the program with Council Member Amy Murray. "In the new year, the city will begin aggressive collection of delinquent parking tickets under a new contract with Xerox, but this holiday season you can come clean, make a donation and make a difference."
The original "Food for Fines" proposal would have waived the entire payment on one ticket in return for the canned foods donation. But Mayor John Cranley had concerns with that plan. Cranley supports the compromise, and that likely means there will not be a fight on the floor of Council to get something approved. A council majority appeared ready to move ahead with the original plan despite the mayor's objection too it.
City employees at the cashier windows on the 2nd floor of city hall will be able to accept canned goods and clear one ticket from the system with a fee of $45.
