Council rejects Lewis-Clark State College perimeter parking permit agreement after neighborhood objections

The Lewiston City Council rejected an intergovernmental agreement that would have allowed Lewis-Clark State College (LCSC) to enforce permit parking on streets immediately adjacent to campus after robust public comment from neighborhood residents, church representatives and questions from councilors about notification and residency exemptions.

The item before council, Resolution 2025-40, proposed to authorize a parking-permit program on a set of streets adjacent to the LCSC footprint. Under the draft agreement, LCSC would issue permits (staff and students currently cited $95 in public comments), control enforcement for designated curbside spaces Monday–Friday during school hours, and remit a portion of revenues to the city (25% in the first year and 30% in the second year, the agreement states).

Why it mattered Neighborhood residents and the Congregational Presbyterian Church near campus said they had not been directly notified that the city and the college were negotiating a parking agreement and urged the council to weigh impacts on residential parking, church access and low-income students who use street parking to avoid permit costs.

What residents said Kathy Johnson, a Lewiston resident and a member of the Congregational Presbyterian Church board, said the church first learned of the proposal just days before the meeting and asked why the city was considering transferring an estimated 123 curbside spaces to permit-only parking. "Is the city willing to eliminate 123 public parking spots on our city streets for less than $3,000?" Johnson asked, referring to a calculation that 25% of permit revenue from 123 spaces at $95 per permit would yield roughly $2,900 to the city in year one.

Marissa Bell, a nontraditional student who said she pays $95 for a campus parking permit, urged the council to allow LCSC to enforce nearby curbside areas so campus security could address safety and traffic hazards near crosswalks and stop signs. "Campus security would be the ones to handle any issues," Bell said.

College and city explanations Jennifer Tingano, the city attorney, and Andrew Hansen, LCSC vice president for student affairs, both described the agreement as narrowly drawn and time-limited. Tingano said the program was meant to operate Monday–Friday during school sessions and generally through 5 p.m., would not transfer street maintenance responsibilities to LCSC, and would allow the college to add markings and signage. She warned that exempting whole classes of county taxpayers by license-plate rules would be technically difficult because vehicle registration and plate display do not always match a driver’s taxed jurisdiction.

Hansen said the college’s goal is to steer permit holders toward existing campus lots and reduce overflow parking in nearby residential blocks. He also said revenue helps fund campus safety and that the college charges for some downtown D Street lot permits.

Council debate and vote Councilors asked whether the college had proactively notified nearby homeowners and whether the agreement might push students to park further into the neighborhood. Several councilors and residents requested more time and neighborhood outreach.

A motion to approve Resolution 2025-40 was moved by Council President Klayberg and seconded by Councilor Spickelmeyer. The council’s roll-call vote recorded two yes votes (Council President Klayberg and Councilor Wright) and four no votes (Councilor Forsman, Councilor Schroeder, Councilor Klein, Councilor Spickelmeyer), and the motion failed.

What was included in the draft agreement - Geographic scope: streets immediately adjacent to LCSC property where both sides of the street or one side are bounded by the college. The city attorney noted a map in the packet identifying specific blocks and approximately 123 curbside spaces. - Hours: Generally Monday–Friday, 7 a.m.–5 p.m., tied to school session days and with an exception for special events and weekend church services. - Financial terms: The college would remit 25% of gross permit revenue to the city in year one and 30% in year two while the college funds initial signage and marking costs; parties would reassess after the initial contract periods.

Next steps Councilors cited a desire for more neighborhood outreach, clearer exemptions for residents, and a testing or pilot period shorter than two years. The college and city may rework the proposal, but the council’s vote means the draft agreement will not take effect as written.