Belleville council agreed Monday to approve a regimen of free, first two hours of parking within the city’s downtown boundaries during regular business hours on weekdays.

Council voted in a recorded vote 5-3 in favour of the discounted parking fee structure.

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A large round of applause erupted from those observing the vote in council chambers’ gallery.

Mayor Neil Ellis and Coun(s). Paul Carr and Kathryn Brown cast dissenting votes given the move would cost taxpayers money the city can’t afford, they said.

The vote was recorded on an amendment requested by Coun. Garnet Thompson to a motion on the floor to only receive a staff report that addressed a request from the Downtown Business Improvement Association to make the changes after city council hiked overall parking

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