Sycamore boasts the cheapest coin meter prices in the U.S., the city’s police chief says.

The city’s meters offer 12 minutes of parking for a penny, or one hour for a nickel. Most city municipal parking costs one quarter for 15 minutes.

However, an ordinance was brought to its first reading at Monday’s city council meeting regarding a change in the initial fine for failing to feed the meter, as well as the second fine issued the same day.

“We have the first reading on purpose tonight [Monday] so we can generate some discussion from the community about it,” said Sycamore Mayor Ken Mundy.

The ordinance will not change the parking fee requirements, but rather, the fines for the unpaid parking time. If the ordinance is approved, the new parking fines would increase from 25 cents to $1. The second fine would be increased from $1 to $2.

“Right now, we have the cheapest coin meters in the U.S.,” said Police Chief Donald Thomas. “It’s really cool, and I don’t propose changing that, but because it’s so cheap, people blow it off. If we have a $1 ticket, we’ll still be the cheapest in the U.S.”

First Ward Alderman Rich Neubauer spoke out against the increased fines.

“The low fines make me want to shop downtown,” he said. “It’s the charm of the city.”

Neubauer also brought up a point about how every once in a while a shopper will have a “whoops!” and forget a coin or go a minute over the time limit, and therefore shouldn’t be punished by being required to pay heavier fines.

“I’d still like to preserve that ‘whoops’ if at all possible,” said Neubauer.

“Although Neubauer has a point, right now people come in and complain about that quarter fine,” said City Manager Bill Nicklas. “People come in and ask for quarters. I will not give them a dollar.”

The primary argument in favor of the ordinance is that the majority of cars that use the meters are business owners or employees of downtown Sycamore, and the city prefers that meter parking spots be used by shoppers.

“It’s not the ‘whoops’ we’re addressing,” said 2nd Ward Alderman Pete Paulsen. “It’s the cars that are there day after day; that’s who it’s targeted for, and I think it’s a good idea.”

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