Annapolis aldermen will vote tonight on some holiday gifts -- in the form of parking meter reprieves -- for the city's merchants and residents.
The first of three resolutions would suspend parking meter fees for the holiday season from Dec. 16 through Dec. 25.
"The whole thing is done to help the merchants," said Mayor Alfred A. Hopkins. "Nobody's going to get [their tires] chalked, if you know what I mean."
The city has suspended city meter rates during past holiday seasons to help the merchants. This year, downtown vendors are racing to make up losses now that Main Street has reopened after a nine-month reconstruction project.
The council also will vote on a measure allowing one hour of free parking at the city's downtown garages on weekends over the holiday season.
And aldermen will consider a measure to postpone by six months an increase in city meter rates. The rates were supposed to rise from 50-cents an hour to 75-cents starting Jan. 1.
The council meets at 7:30 p.m. at City Hall.
