May 10—The mayor, city auditor and council members will no longer be able to use city-owned vehicles or city gas cards.

The cost-saving measure was adopted unanimously and applies to the positions whether elected or appointed.

The change will help keep current and future officials responsible to and respectful of those they serve, Councilwoman Donna Reed said, noting 32% of the city's population is below the poverty level and the median household income is near $31,000.

"I think we owe to them when we choose to be here, whether by election or appointment," she said. "We choose to be public servants, not to be served by public. I think this kind of legislation reinforces our calling."

Reed said many of the council members use their personal vehicles while fulfilling their official duties.

Elected officials will still be able to receive mileage reimbursement for travel on official city business, said Frank Denbowski, Mayor Eddie Moran's chief of staff and interim city manager.

To be reimbursed, they must use the same mileage-tracking app in place for city employees.

Traveling is part of the duties performed by city employees and elected officials, Councilwoman Marcia Goodman-Hinnershitz said. And, it is advisable to set parameters and offer standard guidelines for all.

"It's part of the responsibility to carry out and meet with your constituents," she said.

Some officials and administrations are more active in city business and community affairs than others, the mayor said, asking council to consider looking at how the state government handles travel reimbursement.

"I take this job very seriously and give 110%," he said. "It's not a nine-to-five for me, you know. I'm out there many times a day, seven days a week."

The mayor also commended council for its fiscal responsibility.

The financial health of the city's residents also factored in another matter Monday.

The freshly passed measure does not apply to Reading employees, including police, fire, codes, streets, parks and any other department.

Parking penalties

Council approved a bill increasing the fine for parking within 15 feet of a fire hydrant to $200 from $100 and increasing the 30- and 60-day penalties to $100 from $50.

But a proposal by Reed to double the fine for each successive offense up to $3,200 was shot down 4 to 2 with only Reed and Councilwoman Johanny Cepeda-Fretiz voting yes.

Councilman Christopher Daubert said he was unable to support Reed's amendment due to the hardship it could impose on some city residents.

"I think, for many, many of our residents, whether it was $3,200 or $100,000, it's effectively the same," Daubert said. "They can't pay it."

Her idea, Reed said, was not so much money grubbing for the city, but to protect the lives of residents and firefighters.

"I think sometimes people's pocketbooks is where you get the point across," she said. "If you follow the law and you're not parking in front of a fire hydrant, this doesn't impact you."

Reed said she doesn't believe a $200 fine for each offense will be enough of a deterrent for frequent offenders.