The City Council approved an increase in parking meter rates Friday and called on staff to explore the implementation of penalties for residents whose trash bins block sidewalks and streets.

In a 10-0 vote, council members authorized a 50-cent increase to parking meter rates across the city, from $1 to $1.50. The last rate increase was in 2014.

The City Council also directed the Department of Transportation to extend its hours of operation for daily on-street parking meters to midnight in night high-activity locations, and to 8 p.m. in all other on-street metered areas, with exceptions on a case-by-case basis as determined by transportation officials.

Parking meters are expected to include Sundays, too, which may take up to six months to implement, according to a city report.

Departmen

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