For years, local elected officials have been able to park for free in Republic Parking lots, and a government watchdog group is questioning whether that creates a conflict of interest.
Members of the Chattanooga City Council and Hamilton County Commission receive free passes from Republic Parking. The company operates 66 lots or garages in the area, including public lots at the Chattanooga Metropolitan Airport, its Web site shows.
Drew Johnson, executive director of the watchdog group Tennessee Center for Policy Research, said Republic Parking “isn’t doing this for charity.”
“They’re obviously trying to create favor with (elected officials),” he said.
Jim Berry, owner of Republic Parking, did not return calls seeking comment.
Councilman Jack Benson said the passes save taxpayers’ money because officials who use them don’t seek reimbursements for parking on city business.
“It’s about a necessity as much as we go to the courthouse or the Chamber (of Commerce),” he said.
The city’s ethics ordinance states that no city employee or official may accept a gift worth more than $100 a year. However, a provision allows officials to accept gratuities the city would reimburse as a business expense. Council members are allowed to receive up to $200 a month for business expenses within the city.
Interim City Attorney Mike McMahon said the parking passes fall within the guidelines. He said no one scrutinizes whether a council member uses a pass for personal reasons or for more than the $200 allotted monthly allowance.
“It’s a matter of self-policing,” he said.
Councilwoman-elect Pam Ladd, who takes office April 20 after winning an open seat last week, said the free pass could be a “nice tool” for conducting city business, but the matter of self-policing is problematic.
“I could see it could be easily abused,” she said. “Who would know if you don’t park somewhere and slip into Riverbend? It would be cleaner if there were a paper trail.”
She said she will not use a free parking pass.
“It would probably be a benefit I’d say, ‘Thank you, but I choose not to accept that,’” she said.
Business transactions
Another who questioned the practice, Dick Williams, director of Tennessee Common Cause, said Republic Parking would “certainly be interested” in legislation that comes before elected officials on parking regulations.
City officials said their only business relationship with Republic Parking is an agreement that the city will pay for visitors who park in a lot across from City Hall.
City-owned garages serve EPB and The Chattanoogan hotel, but the public utility and Benchmark Hospitality, which operates The Chattanoogan, handle the business arrangements, so the council never sees those contracts, city officials said.
The Chattanooga Area Regional Transportation Authority owns garages at the Chattanooga Choo-Choo, Tivoli Theatre and the North Shore. Those are operated by Republic Parking, with contracts arranged through CARTA, officials said.
While the city and county provide funding to these entities, council members said they do not recall a direct vote on issues involving Republic Parking.
A search of city ordinances and resolutions shows the council voted to accept $8,041.55 from Republic Parking in July 2007 for the Chattanooga Downtown Redevelopment Corp. The only other transaction between the council and Republic Parking within the last 10 years is a lease agreement for a parking garage near the Downtown Redevelopment Center, records show.
County Attorney Rheubin Taylor said he could recall only one County Commission vote directly affecting Republic Parking, a lease agreement in February 2007 concerning the garage across from the courthouse.
“One of the perks”
Mr. Johnson, of the policy research center, said the city giving money to entities that do business with Republic Parking raises “red flags” but would not be inappropriate, though officials who receive passes should recuse themselves on Republic Parking issues.
Some City Council members said a free parking pass would not influence them in any way.
“The same kind of guidelines apply as in political campaigns,” Councilwoman Linda Bennett said. “They may have your ear, but they don’t have your vote.”
Ms. Bennett faces challenger Deborah Scott in an April 14 runoff election.
County Commission Chairman Jim Coppinger said the pass is helpful for those who attend business meetings or civic functions.
“There’s a lot of parking in the downtown area, and most of our meetings are downtown,” he said.
Councilman Manny Rico, who addressed the issue during a recent Times Free Press editorial board meeting, said the passes are just “one of the perks” council members receive. Mr. Rico was re-elected last week.
Other perks include two Riverbend Festival pins valued at $23 apiece and two front row passes at Riverbend valued at an additional $20 each, city officials said.
Councilwoman Carol Berz, who also was re-elected last week, said she did not accept the pass to avoid ethical questions.
Several City Council members and county commissioners said that for years Republic Parking has given elected officials free parking passes to use during their terms. None could say when the practice began. Carol O’Neal, clerk of the council, said the practice has been in effect since the council form of government was created in 1990 and could have been practiced under the old city commission system.
A spot check of other area municipalities indicates free passes may not be widely distributed. City officials in Red Bank and East Ridge, for instance, said they do not receive the perk.
Cliff has worked for the Times Free Press for five years and covers Chattanooga city government. He previously covered Rhea County, as well as transportation and growth and development in Southeast Tennessee. A native of Maryville, Tenn., Cliff graduated in 2003 from the University of Tennessee with a bachelor’s degree in communications with an emphasis on journalism. Before coming to Chattanooga, he was a crime reporter with Hernando Today, a supplement of The Tampa (Fla.) ...
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