City holds final public meeting over PARKatlanta

ATLANTA — Local drivers got a final chance to sound off about PARKatlanta Thursday night.
 
One person told Channel 2's Matt Belanger the organization is hurting local businesses.
 
A representative from Sweet Auburn Seafood told Belanger that PARKatlanta's enforcement officers are simply too aggressive in the area and don't allow any grace period when a meter expires.
 
That rep was just one of several voices City Council members heard during the final public hearing on the issue.

[READ: Residents meet with city over PARKatlanta concerns]
 
"These people put tickets and locks on your car incessantly. And knowing if someone went to court they might beat it. But most people just pay it," said Atlanta resident John Michael.
 
PARKatlanta, an outside organization, has handled parking in the city since 2009.
 
"You've heard 3,000 complaints and that's just the tip of the iceberg, but you need to know what the issues are in the different neighborhoods," said Atlanta resident Jim Schneider.
 
Thursday was the third and last chance for people to weigh in on the issue as city leaders decide how to proceed when PARKatlanta's contract expires at the end of this year.
 
Residents shared their own frustrating stories.

[WATCH: Park Atlanta glitch gives woman ticket who paid]
 
"There was time on the meter and the guy was writing him a ticket because he figured the guy wasn't going to come back," Michael said.
 
Dan Copeland said PARKatlanta's aggressive enforcement is hurting local businesses.
 
"We have had customers get tickets in one minute, two minutes," Copeland said.
 
Atlanta City Councilwoman Yolanda Adrean, who covers Council District 8, told Belanger that city leaders will consider all the feedback received.
 
"They're not very user friendly, they are not very forgiving," Adrean said. "It's not Southern hospitality."
 
Even though many people criticize PARKatlanta, city records show very few people actually fight the tickets they receive.
 
Less than 1 percent of all tickets issued are challenged.

WSBTV