NEGAUNEE — Negaunee residents could have an easier time finding parking codes through a proposed ordinance.

The Negaunee City Council heard the first reading for a proposed parking code ordinance at Thursday’s meeting. City Manager Nate Heffron said this has been in the works for the last two to three years.

“We want to do this because it’s easier for our current officers, our staff and the residents of the community,” Heffron said. “Right now a lot of these ordinances, which are codified under this one law now, are spread throughout our ordinances. It’s hard to find the information at your fingertips.”

The proposed ordinance would update and modernize definitions in the current code that “don’t fit modern day uses” such as electric vehicles and off-road vehicles.

Councilors were also presented a proposal to establish a permanent parking program.

“That doesn’t mean we are going to create a program where people are being metered, that’s not what we’re talking about here,” Heffron said. “We’re talking about creating a program in our downtown, which will allow for short-term rentals and apartments to be able to have permitted parking that we otherwise don’t.”

He said one of the biggest issues the city has is disinvestment in privately owned buildings due to parking. These spaces would be allocated at a price established by the city council for overnight parking during the winter months.

Heffron said with the parking program, owners of the buildings will be able to reinvest and get people to stay there and “make more money off their property” or live in the property.

“It adds property value and increases the property tax capture overall when they (owners) reinvest in their building,” Heffron said.

Certain parking lot spaces currently owned by the city will have designated locations and each of those spaces will be tied to a permit.

“For example, if I’m permit number one and Mr. Stagliano is permit number two, I have to stay in my designated space,” Heffron said. “The idea here is we’re going to clean the snow from that space and we don’t want me moving to Mr. Stagliano’s space because I never move when the snow needs to be removed and now Mr. Stagliano is out of public parking because I was the jerk.”

Heffron said the council will be able to decide what that fee is and if it will be a monthly payment. Currently the program is projected to have around 25 spaces.

“We’ll bring more particulars on that program once this law, if approved, goes into effect,” he said.

In the proposed parking ordinance, rights could be restored to private property owners for storage on their property.

For example, under current law residents are not able to store campers on their property unless inside of a building. Under the new ordinance, if approved, residents would be able to store campers on their property if they meet certain guidelines such as keeping at least five feet on all sides from any other structure or lot line if stored in a side or backyard.

“This provides more opportunity for safe use and storage and this protects the neighbors’ nuisances,” Heffron said.

Councilor Matt Howard said he thinks the ordinance is a “mess.”

“You’re taking a bunch of stuff and trying to pack it all together in one deal. Some of it is OK and some of it ain’t OK,” Howard said. “We come in here and we say the Pledge of Allegiance and talk about liberty for all, well … I got a boat trailer and it’s over 16 feet so I can’t park it on the street, even though there’s license plates on it (and) I got it registered. I paid my road tax just like you paid on your car.”

Heffron said this ordinance will help preserve parking for commerce, protect pedestrians and provide access for emergencies.

Police Chief Pat Ketola said at Thursday’s meeting that the consolidation will “make it a lot easier for not only ourselves but the general public to be able to find and reference.”

The Negaunee City Council voted 4-1, with two members absent, to approve the first reading of the proposed parking code ordinance. Councilor Matt Howard was the only one to vote no.

Councilors Dana LaLonde and Eddy Karki were absent and excused from Thursday’s meeting.

The second reading will be held at the Nov. 9 regular city council meeting.