Council asks staff to rewrite downtown paid-parking ordinance with lower fee, business-hours enforcement

Monroe City Council directed staff at its July 8 meeting to draft a revised ordinance to reconsider a paid-parking pilot in the downtown lot at East Crowell and North Haines streets.

Planning and general-services staff reviewed the pilot that started Nov. 1, 2024: 18 permit spaces were offered on a first-come, first-served basis during a six-month trial; the initial fee was $1,000 per space. Staff reported only five spaces were leased to three applicants during the pilot and summarized feedback that the price point and 24/7 permit hours discouraged uptake. Some downtown business and property owners told council they would pay if the fee were lowered; council members and staff discussed moving to an annual fee of $500, limiting paid hours to business days (suggested 7 a.m.–6 p.m. Monday–Friday), and enforcing permits via police towing and permit placards.

Council discussed fairness concerns about charging for a city-owned lot and the pilot’s prior low take-up; supporters said voluntary paid permits could free on-street parking for customers and generate revenue for downtown events. The council majority approved a motion directing staff to draft a revised ordinance reflecting fee and hours changes and return for formal adoption; staff said any ordinance would come back for council action.

Staff emphasized that any revised program requiring ordinance changes will return to council with exact fee, hours, enforcement and allocation language.