The Iowa City City Council voted Tuesday night to move forward with changes to fines and permits for downtown moped parking. The vote was 7-0 on the first of three votes needed to enact the changes.

An annual prorated $45 permit from Aug. 1 through July 31 would be required to use all moped parking stalls.

Director of Transportation Services Chris O’Brien and Associate Director for Transportation Services Mark Rummel recommended the change from the previously proposed $25 semiannual permit and $50 annual permit.

“Our goal is to really clean up downtown,” Rummel said. “The bike racks really aren’t designed for mopeds.”

O’Brien also recommended using designated parking areas near campus, allowing for 142 spaces downtown.

Raj Patel, the University of Iowa Student Government City Council student liason, said he “is happy to see designated parking” for mopeds.

But not all councilors agree permits will be beneficial.

“We are trying to encourage people away from driving cars,” Councilor Connie Champion said. “[Mopeds are] a more economical and environmentally clean way.”

But if it comes down to permits, the councilors agree that the main issue is to free up the sidewalks and bike racks.

“We’ll have to try it and see,” Champion said.

— by Chastity Dillard