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Council clears parking‑garage code updates and sets overnight fee window for arm‑bar system
Summary
Council approved ordinance amendments to accommodate an automated arm‑bar parking system at the Millward Simpson Garage and directed staff to set overnight posted rates to midnight–4 a.m. at $3 per hour (equivalent to a $12 overnight cap), with a data‑driven review planned.
Jackson Town Council on June 2 approved amendments to the municipal traffic code required to operate an automated arm‑bar access and revenue control system at the Millward Simpson parking garage and set a council direction on the garage’s overnight posted rates.
The council voted unanimously on first reading for the ordinance changes that remove existing short, special‑case language and allow the town to manage a gated/automated parking structure with posted rates and rules. The ordinance establishes that vehicles using the public parking structure must pay posted rates and comply with posted rules; staff will publish detailed rules and post them at the garage entrance.
At the meeting the council also discussed operational policy for overnight parking. Town staff and the contractor had previously proposed a management period that discourages long‑term overnight storage of vehicles while allowing short overnight usage for travelers and patrons. Transportation manager Charlotte Frey said staff initially proposed a 10 p.m.–4 a.m. enforcement window with a $2 hourly rate (a $12 overnight maximum) to balance availability and an airport‑shuttle use case.
Council members raised concerns about impacts on late‑shift service‑industry employees and travelers. After discussion the council unanimously directed staff to set the posted overnight window for enforcement and posted rates to midnight–4 a.m. and to set the posted rate at $3 per hour (maintaining the previously discussed $12 maximum overnight amount). Councilmember Schechter characterized the policy as a pilot and asked staff to return with one year of utilization data for a comprehensive review.
Town staff noted on the record that changing the overnight window during the signage fabrication process could affect the planned go‑live date for the arm‑bar system (June 25), and asked that council confirm policy quickly so staff can finalize signage and kiosk configuration. The council’s direction allows staff to finalize posted rates and hours and to configure the operator kiosk and signage accordingly.
The ordinance amendments and staff direction do not change the contractual arrangement approved earlier for installation and operation of the arm‑bar system; instead, the vote aligns town code with the planned automated access system and gives staff authority to post and adjust rates consistent with council policy.
