Staff briefed the DDA on a draft parking assessment on July 16 that rated the city’s downtown parking assets poorly (roughly a 3.4 on a 10‑point scale) and estimated the cost to repair all municipal lots and curbs at about $2 million, according to the draft.

Board discussion shifted to policy: several downtown business owners pressed the DDA to study controlled parking or metered short‑term spaces to address long‑term commuter parking and improve turnover. One speaker, identified in the record as a downtown business owner, said lack of short‑term parking was a persistent problem that affects customers and handicapped patrons, and urged the DDA to evaluate one‑hour or short‑term zones and other controls used by neighboring communities.

Staff said the draft report focused on material condition and that configuration options and closure of tracts (parking layout changes) require further study. The DDA agreed the parking question is complex and advised that the parking committee take up a focused meeting this month to consider possible controlled parking frameworks, enforcement, revenue estimates and equity impacts.

The board also discussed the need for clearer coordination with city administration on enforcement and trash issues tied to curbside operations. No formal policy or ordinance changes were adopted; the meeting produced a direction to convene the parking committee for detailed follow‑up and to include city staff and business representatives in that discussion.