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Blowing Rock approves new parking-enforcement system, keeps Maple Street as 3‑hour lot
Summary
Council approved purchasing parking-enforcement equipment and software, adjusted enforcement hours and fines, and kept the Maple Street lot as a 3‑hour monitored lot while encouraging additional signage and outreach to businesses about new durations.
Blowing Rock — The Town of Blowing Rock Council voted June 10 to move forward with a new parking-enforcement program that includes buying handheld enforcement devices and associated software, changing the code’s enforcement hours, and increasing fines for overtime parking.
Staff presented two vendor options: Passport (existing provider) and a T2 Systems configuration that uses handheld Samsung S23 devices running an iChalk workflow and a patron portal. Staff described features including license-plate lookup, photographic evidence, GPS tracking of enforcement activity, online payment and dispute management, and back-office reconciliation. The T2 Systems pricing example provided to council included hardware, support and data plans; staff said the town would save on recurring costs over time with that option.
Council heard concerns from the business community. Robin Miller of the Blowing Rock Chamber of Commerce urged the council to delay reducing on-street durations from 3 to 2 hours until enforcement consistency and the new technology were fully in place, and offered the Chamber’s help coordinating additional business input.
After discussion about signage, wayfinding, enforcement areas, and operational options (Wi‑Fi vs cellular data plans), a council member moved to increase funds, purchase the recommended software and equipment, and adopt ordinance changes limited to new enforcement hours and fine amounts. The motion, as clarified during the meeting, set enforcement hours at 9 a.m.–5 p.m. Monday–Saturday and 1 p.m.–5 p.m. Sunday; confirmed Maple Street lot would remain a 3‑hour monitored lot; and changed fines to a first offense $10→$20, second overtime offense $15→$30, and third/subsequent $20→$60; failure-to-pay within 30 days would rise from $25→$30.
The council voted unanimously in favor (Kat Aye; David Aye; Melissa Aye; Doug Aye; Pete Aye). Staff said the purchase was not included in the current fiscal year budget and recommended funding be addressed as an amendment at the summer retreat or in the next budget cycle. Staff also estimated about $1,000 to replace signage for the town (40 signs) and that wayfinding/digital maps could be added to the town website and social channels as part of implementation.
Staff will return with procurement details and a proposed contract if council decides to proceed; the enforcement vendor will handle merchant processing, delinquent notices and a customer call center per the vendor demonstration.
