WPCNR Common Council Chronicle-Examiner. By John F. Bailey. March 21, 2006: After Traffic Commissioner Tom Soyk delivered his findings after a year of video tape observation of valet parking at the City Center, finding that Valet Parking at that location did not cause any significant problems, Councilman Tom Roach called for the city to create Valet Parking Licensing in order that Mr. Soyk's Department of Traffic could approve, monitor and set standards for all valet parking operations in the city. Mr. Roach did not indicate whether licensing fees would be part of the legislation.

Soyk said that presently the valet parking operations at Trotter's and other locations where it is in effect in the city are not regulated in the city in any way, and that those operations are causing the problems, particularly Trotter's. He did not elaborate on the problems Trotter's was creating by their valet operation.

Soyk reported the primary problems at the City Center location are caused by motorists double-parking, leaving vehicles unattended in a traffic lane, and making right turns onto Main Street from the lefthand lane of Mamaroneck Avenue. He said those problems were as a result of the City Center movie attraction with persons dropping off movie goers and blocking traffic.

The licensing legislation called for by Mr. Roach, came over exasperated protest by Mayor Joseph Delfino, who claimed he drives the city every night and he has seen no particular problems with valet parking.

The council by consensus agreed Mr. Soyk should draft possible licensing registration that would be considered.

Councilman Glen Hockley, responding to the traffic dropoff problem suggested Mr. Soyk should consider installation bicycle racks to encourage non-motor vehicle transporation. Arnold Berstein, the Councilman, pointed out that the valet parking might aggravate the traffic when Wal-Mart opens in April. Rita Malmud, the Councilwoman, grumbled that the traffic about the Mamaroneck Avenue entrance at the City Center was dangerous citing persons hit by cars on that block. Mr. Soyk pointed out that the person struck he knew about was jaywalking. Nevertheless Malmud pointed out that the double-parking and backups were a problem at times. Soyk said the backups are sporadic and not consistent through the 6-hour period when the valet parking is set up outside the City Center.  Mr. Hockley and Mr. Boykin said many persons had said they liked the valet parking convenience.

Roach suggested licensing would require restaurants or establishments to outline a proposal to the city, which would then approve the operation.