Council moves to create Uptown Parking Implementation Task Force; members, scope and timeline discussed

Nicole (city planning staff) presented a proposal to form an Uptown Parking Implementation Task Force to oversee implementation of the Uptown Parking Study the council adopted the prior year. The task force would review 16 strategies categorized as “implement now,” “implement as able” and “implement as conditions merit,” prioritize them based on feasibility and impact and develop actionable recommendations for council consideration.

Nicole proposed a seven‑member group composed of Uptown business owners, an Uptown resident, one Marion Main Street staff member and three city staff members. Council members urged adding an at‑large city resident and discussed adding a senior‑population representative to bring a broader perspective beyond Uptown‑embedded stakeholders. Staff said the group would work with stakeholders on items ranging from wayfinding and employee parking location agreements to data collection and metering study triggers.

Council discussed the task force’s timeline and scope. Nicole said the body is intended to be semi‑ongoing: heavy lifting (prioritization, early implementation/phasing and stakeholder outreach) could occupy six to 12 months; some items may take up to two to three years for phased implementation. Staff emphasized that any binding policy or regulatory changes (for example implementation of metered parking) would return to council for approval.

What’s next: staff will finalize membership recommendations and present the task force appointment and charter for council approval in April; initial task‑force work will prioritize strategies and return actionable items to council.