These cities put a tremendous amount of time and energy into hosting the race. RDs hit them up bragging about "out of town tourists" and such, I dont blame the city for wanting to get some money back for blocking roads, police etc..
so if they do things to encourage out of towners, then so be it.
Also dont you think that it's only natural for the RD to want allll the packet pick up and numbers done the day before the actual race?