Council lets parking commission boundaries be changed by resolution to speed program updates

The Missoula City Council on May 5 approved an ordinance amendment that allows City Council to change the Missoula Parking Commission's jurisdictional boundaries by resolution rather than by amending the municipal code.

The change, recommended by the Parking Commission as part of the city's parking plan, passed 9-2. Parking Commission Director Jody Pilgrim told council the amendment is designed to make boundary adjustments quicker; ordinance revisions require two readings, public hearings and a 30-day waiting period, whereas a resolution can be approved more quickly while still preserving public outreach and stakeholder engagement during the Parking Commission's planning process.

Pilgrim said the commission's current process for proposed expansions includes utilization counts, geofencing, posting maps on an engagement page, and outreach to neighborhood councils and stakeholders before a council action. She said that the commission does not charge fees across the entire jurisdiction and that the jurisdictional boundary enables parking management tools including permit programs and enforcement of safety violations.

Council discussion covered public-notice questions and the steps staff takes to notify residents in a proposed expansion area; Pilgrim said targeted notices and neighborhood outreach are part of the commission's process. Councilor Campbell opposed the ordinance change, citing concern about shortening public-notice timelines; other councilors argued the amendment maintains a robust public process while allowing faster responses to changing parking pressures.

Ending: The ordinance amendment passed on a roll-call vote, 9 in favor and 2 opposed. Staff said the first anticipated expansion under the revised process will focus on the Hip Strip corridor and will include outreach to the Riverfront and University neighborhood councils and a period for public comment.