Idaho Falls Downtown Development proposes phased app-based metered parking; council asked to update ordinance and fee schedule

The Idaho Falls Downtown Development Corporation (IFDDC) on July 8 asked the City Council to support a phased pilot that would convert much downtown curbside two-hour parking to paid, app-based metering managed by ParkSmarter and integrated with the city’s existing IPS parking system.

IFDDC Director Carrie Hammond said the plan is a phased rollout so staff can fine-tune operations and public education. "Our goal is to ensure customers effortlessly arrive, immediately locate, and conveniently access parking right at the doorstep or near their desired destination downtown," Hammond said. She asked council for help updating the downtown parking ordinance, the city fee schedule and access to city communications and public-works resources for signage installation.

Hammond described a two-phase pilot. Phase 1 would convert on-street two-hour zones in the area north of Broadway (Bridal north, not including D Street) into metered curbside parking via the ParkSmarter app and keep existing pay stations in lots. Phase 2 would expand metering south of Broadway and invest in lot improvements, integrated permit management, enhanced wayfinding and IPS integration. Constitution Way (a center-row street currently unsigned and free) would be converted to metered parking along the center row and both sides in phase 1. City Hall and the Veterans Memorial loading zones and signage would remain unchanged, Hammond said.

Hammond and IFDDC provided financial context: annual parking revenue historically averaged about $329,200 (including the city’s annual support payment to IFDDC of $92,200, roughly $187,000 in lot permits and about $50,000 in citation revenue). Average annual parking expenses the IFDDC reported were about $211,000, including maintenance, IPS fees and staff salaries. Hammond told council five existing pay stations are paid off but due for maintenance, and that updated compliant signage would cost roughly $15,000 to install (estimate subject to public-works scheduling).

Proposed on-street pricing is for council discussion: first hour $1–$2, second hour $2, third hour $2, with a higher fourth-hour step intended to encourage turnover (Hammond said the fourth-hour rate had been discussed in committee as between $5 and $20). Hammond noted that ParkSmarter and merchant/processing fees (IPS fees ~35¢ average per transaction; AMG merchant processing ~30¢ on small transactions) are paid by the consumer and apply to each transaction, including when users add time from the app.

IFDDC outlined enforcement and operations: continue education-first policy (dismiss first citation in many cases), keep pay stations while offering the app, maintain accessible options (disability parking remains free), and add an additional parking ambassador position and equipment (mobile devices with Bluetooth printers, licenses). Hammond said app features being promoted include real-time space availability, push alerts for expiring time, and the ability to extend parking remotely. IFDDC said it is evaluating validation options for permit waivers and working with IPS on future integration.

Council members questioned rates, whether businesses could validate parking for customers, impacts on employees who park all day, and how the system would deter people from moving and re-starting a low-cost session to avoid longer fees. Jake Dertie, IFDDC parking committee chair, who spoke during the meeting, summarized merchant input: the movie theater and salons indicated many customer visits exceed two hours; a three-hour “sweet spot” was often mentioned for combined dinner+movie or salon visits. Dertie urged that hourly pricing be set so parking remains cheaper than a citation and to consider differentiated pricing for curbside prime spots versus lots.

Mayor and council asked staff to work with IFDDC on ordinance language, fee schedule deadlines and rollout timing. Hammond proposed intensive public outreach in August–September and an October 1 start date for active enforcement, pending hiring and equipment lead times. She requested the council’s endorsement to proceed with the phased pilot, permission to submit proposed fee updates in time for the city’s fee schedule process (noting a Wednesday submission deadline referenced in the meeting), and assistance from city communications and municipal services for signage and code changes.

Why it matters: Downtown metering is intended to increase turnover for businesses, direct parking demand among on-street/garage/lot options, and generate funds for downtown maintenance and improvements. The proposal will require an ordinance amendment to allow metered parking in the BID and changes to fee schedules and the IFDDC–city MOU to reflect operating responsibilities and revenue accounting.

What’s next: IFDDC asked the council to support the phased plan, to send ordinance changes to the city attorney and municipal services for drafting, to approve fee schedule entries by the city deadline, and to provide communications support for a public-education campaign. Council discussion continued with more detailed follow-up and committee engagement planned before formal council action.