The history of municipalities and the course of legislatures throughout America, including the Legislature of Alabama, confirm that public welfare requires that Class 2 municipalities be authorized to provide off-street parking facilities through parking authorities.
The Legislature makes each of the following declarations:
(1) The free circulation of traffic on the streets of Class 2 municipalities is necessary to the health, safety, and general welfare of the public.
(2) The greatly increased use of motor vehicles has caused serious traffic congestion on the streets of the Class 2 municipalities.
(3) The parking of motor vehicles has contributed to the congestion.
(4) The congestion prevents the free flow of traffic through the municipalities, impedes effective firefighting and the disposition of police forces, and threatens irreparable loss in the values of urban property, which can no longer be readily reached by vehicular traffic.
(5) Parking facilities in Class 2 municipalities are grossly inadequate.
(6) Private enterprise has been unable to solve the problem, because private parking lots are frequently temporary in nature, located without regard for actual parking requirements, with vacant land being used for parking purposes in a haphazard fashion in order to earn minimal revenue from the land pending construction.
(7) The inadequacy of parking space is harmful to the public convenience, health, safety, and welfare.
(8) The inadequate off-street parking spaces now existing must be supplemented by off-street parking facilities provided by public undertaking.
(9) The enactment of this law is declared to be a public necessity which the public welfare and convenience require.
Structure Code of Alabama
Title 11 - Counties and Municipal Corporations.
Title 2 - Provisions Applicable to Municipal Corporations Only.
Chapter 61A - Municipal Parking Authority.
Section 11-61A-1 - Declarations.
Section 11-61A-2 - Definitions.
Section 11-61A-3 - Application for Permission to Incorporate.
Section 11-61A-4 - Certificate of Incorporation.
Section 11-61A-5 - Attachments to Certificate.
Section 11-61A-6 - Changes and Amendments.
Section 11-61A-7 - Board of Directors.
Section 11-61A-10 - Operation of the Facility.
Section 11-61A-12 - Permitted Activities.
Section 11-61A-14 - Signature on Bonds.
Section 11-61A-15 - Issuance of Bonds.
Section 11-61A-16 - Proceeds From Sale of Bonds.
Section 11-61A-17 - Refunding Bonds.
Section 11-61A-18 - Tax Exemption.
Section 11-61A-19 - Investment by Governing Body.
Section 11-61A-20 - Bonds Deemed Legal Investment.
Section 11-61A-21 - Publication of Notice.
Section 11-61A-22 - Advertising and Award Laws Are Applicable.