PHILADELPHIA (CBS) - Councilman Bill Greenlee’s idea of giving parking ticket recipients more time before penalties are tacked on (see related story) prompted a “wish we’d thought of that” reaction from the head of the Parking Authority.

Greenlee today is introducing a measure that would address what he says is a frequent problem — a parking ticket gets swiped and the driver doesn’t learn of it until two weeks later when the Parking Authority sends a warning — with a $20 late payment penalty already added.

Greenlee’s bill would have the warning go out, but a longer grace period before the penalty is added.

Parking Authority Executive Director Vince Fenerty seems to be on board.

“I do think that the Councilman’s bill, if it’s explained to me correctly, is visionary thinking. And I’m ashamed that someone here didn’t think of it,” Fennerty said. “And it will take a lot off my plate, a lot of complaints away from the Authority, by this type of thinking by the councilman.”

Fennerty vows to work with Greenlee and the mayor’s office to iron out details.

Reported by Mike Dunn, KYW Newsradio 1060