Rising Sun enacts no-parking resolution for East Cherry Street; declares nine town vehicles surplus

At the Jan. 14 meeting, the Mayor and Board of Commissioners approved a consent agenda that included a resolution to prohibit parking on East Cherry Street and a separate resolution declaring nine town vehicles surplus.

The East Cherry Street resolution, read into the consent agenda by Town Administrator Bonneberger, would ban parking on East Cherry Street and add signage on South Walnut Street; it includes an administrative exception allowing short‑term stops for deliveries to local businesses. "The road width is not friendly enough for a fire engine, a school bus, or a delivery truck to get through while passing another vehicle," Police Chief Steve Peterson told the board while supporting the measure.

Why it matters: town staff and the police said chronic parking on East Cherry Street narrows the roadway and creates a safety hazard near the Cherry and Queen intersection. The administration told the board that because statutory limits restrict the maximum fine for parking citations, a no‑parking designation would allow towing and more effective enforcement.

Key points from the discussion

- Enforcement and notice: Staff said they typically provide an educational notice period of two weeks to 30 days before active enforcement. Commissioners indicated two weeks would likely be sufficient but discussed a 30‑day option for public notice.

- Delivery exception and signage: Administration and police will draft signage wording to show "No parking anytime" with a short-term delivery exception so fuel and restaurant deliveries can temporarily stop.

- Towing authority: The town administrator and chief said converting to a no‑parking rule allows towing for obstruction and avoids relying solely on small fines that some drivers pay and then resume parking.

Surplus vehicles

The consent agenda also included Resolution 2025‑02 to declare nine town vehicles surplus so they may be sold after a 20‑day waiting period by private sale, public bid or auction. Bonneberger read the list into the record: a 2010 Dodge Charger, 2011 Dodge Charger, 2011 Ford Expedition, 2016 Ford Interceptor (two vehicles), 2017 Ford Explorer, 2019 Ford Interceptor and two 2006 Chevrolet pickup trucks.

Board action

A motion to approve the consent agenda with item D removed was moved and seconded; the board voted in favor and the consent agenda passed. The parking and surplus‑vehicle resolutions were included as part of that consent vote.

Next steps

Staff will draft final signage verbiage and coordinate a public notification period (two weeks to 30 days) before active enforcement; surplus vehicles will be advertised for disposal after the required 20‑day waiting period.