Sewickley Parking Authority to dissolve next year, parking enforcement expected to remain the same

The Sewickley Parking Authority will dissolve sometime next year and parking enforcement will once again be done via the borough office.

Councilwoman Cynthia Mullins said the transition will not impact how meters are enforced and tickets are paid.

The authority has three part-time workers, all of which will remain Sewickley employees.

“This is a good move for the borough, because restoring this function to the borough will eliminate duplication and promote more consistent oversight,” Mullins said via email on Oct. 13. “Council agreed unanimously last night to set the process in motion.

“The process is relatively simple and involves merging the authority’s chart of accounts into the borough budget and transferring the assets. The transition should be completed by the second quarter of 2022.”

The authority was established in early 2016. Council president Jeff Neff said the authority was formed to look into other parking options, including a garage.

“Multiple companies that specialize in paid parking garages looked into it and said it was not feasible,” Neff said. “Therefore, the parking authority has done a great job and have exhausted those possibilities, so they feel they can disband.

“The daily operations can be handled by the same employees answering to the borough manager instead of the parking authority board.”

Mullins is its chairperson. Councilwoman Julie Barnes is its secretary, council vice president Todd Renner serves as treasurer and Chris Voltz is its solicitor, according to the borough website.

The authority usually suspends parking fees for holiday weekends such as Memorial Day and Independence Day. That practice is expected to continue.

Parking authority meetings are scheduled for 5:30 p.m. the third Wednesday of the month at 601 Thorn St.

More information is available via email to parking@sewickleyborough.org.