[Adopted 6-21-2016 by L.L. No. 21-2016]
This Legislature hereby finds and determines that the County
of Suffolk is home to the largest population of military veterans
in New York State. This Legislature further finds and determines that
the County strives to assist veterans in meeting their needs, through
services provided by the County's Veterans Service Agency and other
departments, as well as providing veteran-specific benefits. This
Legislature finds that many veterans visit County facilities to obtain
necessary services and interact with government officials. This Legislature
also finds that it would be appropriate to designate two spots at
each County facility as dedicated parking for veterans in recognition
of their sacrifices to protect our nation's freedom. This Legislature
further finds that Resolution No. 488-2007 established a program in
the Veterans Service Agency where veterans may obtain a resident veteran
identification card to expedite access to County services and benefits.
This Legislature also determines that the Suffolk County Veteran Resident
Identification Card Program should be expanded to provide veterans
with markers that will allow them to park their vehicles in designated
parking. Therefore, the purpose of this article is to establish reserved
parking at County facilities for veterans.
As used in this article, the following terms shall have the
meanings indicated:
The Commissioner of the Suffolk County Department of Public
Works.
Any building or facility owned by the County of Suffolk or
under the jurisdiction of the County of Suffolk, including buildings
and facilities that are owned, leased or otherwise under the control
of the County.
The Director of the Suffolk County Veterans Service Agency.
The Commissioner of the Suffolk County Department of Parks,
Recreation and Conservation.
A.Â
Notwithstanding any provision of law to the contrary, the Commissioner
is hereby authorized, empowered and directed to designate two parking
spaces at each County facility with a total of at least 30 parking
spaces in a single parking lot under his or her jurisdiction for the
exclusive use of parking by veterans.
B.Â
Notwithstanding any provision of law to the contrary, the Parks Commissioner
is hereby authorized, empowered and directed to designate two parking
spaces at each County park with a total of at least 30 parking spaces
in a single parking lot under his or her jurisdiction for the exclusive
use of parking by veterans.
C.Â
Such spaces shall be clearly marked for use by veterans. The Commissioner
and Parks Commissioner shall cause appropriate signs to be erected
and pavement markings to be made to clearly mark these parking spaces
and allow for the enforcement of this article.
D.Â
To the extent practicable, spaces designated for parking by veterans
shall be located in the immediate vicinity of an entrance to each
County facility. In no event, however, shall veteran parking spaces
be located closer to a facility entrance than those spaces designated
for use by the handicapped.
E.Â
Veterans who elect to park in veteran-exclusive parking spaces must
have their veteran status clearly marked on their vehicle either by
an official designation on a New York State custom license plate or
on a hanging tag issued by the Suffolk County Veterans Service Agency
as part of the Suffolk County Veteran Resident Identification Card
Program.
Any person who parks a vehicle in a parking space reserved for veterans without the proper identification established in § 639-39D of this article shall be deemed to be in violation of this article. The owner of such vehicle shall be responsible for the penalty imposed hereunder.
Provisions of this article shall be enforced by the Suffolk
County Police Department, the Suffolk County Sheriff and the Suffolk
County Park Rangers.
Any person violating the provisions of this article shall be
guilty of an offense and be punished by a fine not to exceed $100.
The Director is hereby authorized, empowered and directed to
expand the Suffolk County Veteran Resident Identification Card Program
to include the issuance of a hanging tag for vehicles being operated
by persons who receive an identification card pursuant to such program.
This article shall apply to all actions occurring on or after
the effective date of this article.
This article shall take effect 120 days immediately subsequent
to filing in the office of the Secretary of State.
