babesphil .... same thing happened to a friend of mine; who parked there to drop his old visiting father to the gate of villagio....... but got a ticket in the meantime.
He pursued the matter vigorously, even meeting the high-ups in Traffic Department but was to no use.
I doubt if you can pursue up to that level being a lady.
So, I can only sympathize with you. So Sorry; but we encounter sometimes such unforeseen expenses.