By TIM JUE
Beat Staff Writer

The battle over a coveted parking spot near City Hall between Oakland City councilmembers Jean Quan and Desley Brooks came down to a coin toss Tuesday — ending a dilemma that caused eye rolling throughout the city.

After the Chronicle’s Matier and Ross broke news that a months long battle had been brewing over who would get to park in former Councilmember Henry Chang’s old spot on 14th Street near the City Hall side entrance, city officials have been bombarded with e-mails asking why time and money — including the services of the City Attorney who issued a five-page ruling on the topic — was being spent on petty parking politics.

Well, in today’s follow-up article, Matier and Ross report that the issue has been settled — the two had a coin toss in Council President Jane Brunner’s office to put the matter to rest.

Brooks won the toss, but not before firing out an angry e-mail saying that it was “a disservice to the citizens of Oakland” if seniority rules were not abided by when it came to City Hall practices despite being sworn into office the same day as Quan.

We spotted Quan’s car in the prized stall today — probably the last time she’ll get to park there.

Plus, with the easy access to City Hall, the spot also comes with its own security service. A California Beat photographer was haggled by a City Hall guard when trying to photograph the parking stall sign.

And even he rolled his eyes about the parking spot battle.

E-mail Tim Jue at californiabeat@gmail.com. Join the California Beat on Facebook, and get breaking news headlines, story alerts and previews when you follow us on Twitter.