HOUGHTON — Some parking rates and fines are changing in Houghton. 

The city council approved an updated list of rates and fines at its meeting Wednesday. 

The parking rates have three tiers. Daytime parking permits for downtown city lots will cost $2 per day (up to seven a month), $40 for a month, $180 for six months and $324 for a year. 

The exception will be Lot 7, a new lot for Michigan Technological University located behind the city center. That one-year permit will cost $360. 

All-day permits will cost $3 for a day (up to seven a month), $80 per month and $456 for six months.

Daytime parking in lots 11, 12, 13, 14, and 18 is free.

The fines for parking in a handicapped space were also reduced from $150 to $75. The reduction is hoped to make it easier to collect on fines, City manager Eric Waara said.

Other fines range from $25 to $50. 

For all parking offenses, fines will double after the third offense.

“We do have some frequent fliers up there that do the same thing over and over again,” he said. 

Earlier this month, the council approved an ordinance making it possible for the council to change the amounts of parking fines without having to amend it by ordinance.

The change was made to give the city greater flexibility in responding to changing parking situations in the city, such as the impending demolition of the Lakeshore Drive parking deck. 

In other action, the council:

• Approved the sale of a 10-by-53.99 foot strip behind 326 Shelden Ave. to the building’s owner, Braveworks. The building is in a triangle of property under the Lakeshore Drive parking deck created by the wall with Swift’s Hardware. The building’s owner, Braveworks, is planning to do renovation and construction work on the site. The purchase is pending an appraisal for fair market value of the property.

• Directed the city attorney to draw up a document releasing an city easement on walkway to the east of 326 Shelden Ave. The city had retained an easement on the property, which lies between Swift’s Hardware and the building wall, for passage back and forth between the parking deck and Shelden Avenue. The release of the easement will be contingent on Planning Commission approval of the site plan. 

• Approved the use of the Kestner Park bandshell by Beta Sigma Theta for its fundraising event to combat pediatric cancer on Sept. 24. 

• Approved payments for Phase 3 of the city’s water and sewer system improvements.

• Approved a contract with the Michigan Department of Transportation to collect $27,068 in Highway Infrastructure Program Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act funding. The city applied for the funds to offset losses in Michigan Transportation Fund revenue from 2020. The money will go into the city’s road funds.