Hudson committee advances plan to centralize parking, install kiosks and EV chargers

The Hudson Parking Committee on Jan. 28 reviewed a multi-phase plan to modernize the city’s parking system, including replacing meters with kiosks, installing three EV charging stations (six ports), consolidating parking enforcement and revenue collection inside the Hudson Police Department and contracting a short-term consultant to guide the transition.

Committee members said the plan would phase kiosk installation across downtown and municipal lots, change pricing and eliminate most permits in favor of a plate-based system. Council member Jennifer Belton, who led the presentation, said the South Front Street lot would move to $10 per day and $50 per week, municipal lot rates would be 75 cents up to 12 hours, and on-street parking would be $1 per hour, capped at two hours.

The committee discussed where kiosks and signage would go — including Warren Street, portions of Union Street, Columbia Street (Escobar lot) and lots between Worth and Prospect — and reviewed a timeline that places the initial South Front Street work in the current fall/spring phase and broader kiosk replacement in spring and summer phases. Belton said the plan includes three physical EV charging stations with six ports and new signage for those spaces.

On governance, Belton said the city attorney found no legal or ethical barrier to housing a parking bureau inside the Hudson Police Department (HPD). The committee discussed converting a small area inside HPD into an office for the parking bureau; Belton reported a construction estimate of $15,413 to build out the space, including plumbing, electricity and a secure front window. She said HPD staffer Doreen — the department assistant who currently handles related tasks — could take on increased responsibility and be considered for the parking-bureau chief role, subject to civil-service rules and compensation adjustments.

The committee reviewed a consultant proposal from Kevin Wood, identified in the meeting as the president of the New York State Transportation and Parking Association, for an interim role to assist during installation and staff training. Belton said the proposed fee is $2,500 per month plus travel and related expenses, and members suggested a three-month contract with specific checkpoints and a written workplan. Belton added, “I kind of do think we need someone for at least a month or 2 to help the transition.”

Operational and procurement details discussed included: a shipping/installation delivery charge for kiosks originally quoted at about $3,600 that was negotiated down to $1,800; a repaving and lining estimate for a currently gravel lot of $175,000; and the need for immediate Payment Card Industry (PCI) compliance ahead of kiosk activation. Members asked to confirm whether the municipal construction quote required three formal bids or could use cooperative purchasing (Sourcewell); a participant reported that work under $30,000 typically does not require public bid for construction and suggested checking Sourcewell status.

Committee members debated how plate-based resident discounts and special tags would work. The plan would register discounts to license plates rather than physical hang tags; members discussed limiting discounted registration to one vehicle per eligible resident (for example, single-person elderly or disabled discounts) and allowing households with multiple eligible people to register multiple vehicles. The committee also discussed construction-worker exemptions and a separate registry for trade/construction vehicles.

There were no formal votes recorded on contract awards, budget appropriations or personnel changes during the meeting. Members asked staff to put the office build and related resolution on a future council agenda, to invite Rob Perry (public works), HPD Chief Franklin and the consultant to the next meeting, and to prepare a written workplan and procurement details. The session ended without additional formal action beyond administrative next steps and a motion to adjourn.

The committee’s next steps include drafting a workplan and timeline for consultant checkpoints, confirming procurement rules for the HPD buildout and kiosk purchase, producing signage and branding materials, and drafting any required resolutions for city council consideration. Specific implementation items that members flagged as immediate priorities were achieving PCI compliance and finalizing kiosk placement so signage and branding can be produced ahead of installation.

The meeting covered background materials, maps and comparative pricing research (Belton said Hudson’s proposed front-street pricing is roughly in line with Rensselaer). Members also discussed branding and signage options and whether to use in-house design tools or hire an outside designer; one participant noted low-cost subscription tools such as Canva as an option.

No formal votes on hiring, contracting or budget changes were recorded in the transcript provided; committee members generally supported advancing the plan to the next meeting with more detailed cost and procurement documentation.