Free parking at meters and 30 min ferry service among new measures from HRM (update)

It is now free to park at meters in Halifax Regional Municipality until further notice.

Those who use the parking app HotSpot will see that fees have been set to zero.

In addition, there will be no enforcement of hourly spaces and monthly permit parking is suspended, however Haligonians are being asked to consider those who need parking the most at this time.

“It's certainly our hope that people will realize those who are working in the health system or doing good work delivering to people in need, trying to help this situation, get priority,” said Mayor Mike Savage at a news conference Thursday afternoon

“The change reflects the community sentiment that greater flexibility is required to meet the parking needs for those folks, or those who seeking to self-isolate.”

If you got a ticket on or before noon on Thursday, March 19, you still need to pay it. That can be done online, by dropping a cheque in the mail or in-person when customer service operations resume.

“All other parking measures, like parking in accessible zones, no parking spots, loading zones, things that affect safety, that will be enforced,” Savage added.

Parking enforcement will also still include safety-related aspects of the province's Motor Vehicle Act, including no parking in crosswalks and distance from fire hydrants.

Here is the full list of municipal service adjustments announced by HRM Thursday:

Halifax Transit

• Ferry service will be reduced to 30-minute service on both routes starting at the beginning of service Friday, March 20.
• Residents and visitors who are feeling ill are asked to avoid using all transit services until their health has returned to normal.
• Access-a-Bus Passengers are requested to limit trip requests to essential trips only including physician appointments, medical services & dialysis, and prescription retrieval.
• Visit halifax.ca/coronavirus for all other Halifax Transit service adjustments to date.

Finance

• The municipality is currently looking at alternative payment options related to property taxes due April 30, 2020. Decisions will be communicated to taxpayers in advance of the deadline and will focus on addressing the needs of businesses and residents. Questions can be sent to proptax@halifa.ca 
• The application deadline for Community Grants Programs as well as the Tax Relief for Non-Profit Organizations Program has been extended until May 15.
• There are no changes to municipal employee payroll. Payments to vendors and suppliers will continue, as well as procurement tenders.

Parking

• Parking fees at meters have been waived and HotSpot fees will be set to zero until further notice.
• Enforcement of hourly spaces and monthly permit parking is suspended until further notice. Residential permits will still be enforced. If your residential permit has recently expired, you will not receive a ticket. Please note: These steps are in an effort to support healthcare workers and residents seeking medical attention. Please be considerate of the duration of your parking.
• In the event normal operations have not resumed by April, monthly parking permits already purchased will be rolled over to the following month.
• Tickets issued on or before March 19 at noon are still valid and can be paid online, cheque by mail or in person when customer service operations resume.
• Safety-related aspects of the Provincial Motor Vehicle Act will continue to be enforced (e.g. no parking in crosswalks, parking distance from fire hydrants, signage indicating no stopping, etc.)

Parks and Recreation                                   

• The Youth Live Enviro Depot at 947 Mitchell Street is closed until further notice. 
• The application deadline for Grants to Professional Arts Organization program has been extended until April 15th

Planning and Development

• With the closure of all Customer Service Centres, an online service to receive construction permit applications is under development and will be operational early next week.

Permits

• All special event permits are withdrawn until further notice.

Solid Waste

• The Household Special Waste Depot program is suspended until further notice.

The collection of residential refrigerant gas removal (CFCs) service has been suspended until further notice.
For more information on municipal services during the COVID-19 infection, visit Halifax.ca/coronavirus.

Thank you for helping with the community effort to reduce the risk of spreading COVID-19.
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