Downtown parking enforcement plan advances after debate over in‑house model and third‑party limits

Staff presented a downtown parking-management plan Jan. 13 that proposes re‑enforcing the city’s longstanding three‑hour on‑street parking limit in the core downtown and staffing enforcement with city employees equipped with license‑plate readers and small electric enforcement vehicles.

Planning staff said Florida statute limits issuance of right‑of‑way parking citations to city employees, preventing a straightforward third‑party enforcement model for on‑street parking. As a result, staff proposed hiring three part‑time parking-enforcement specialists, equipping them with LPR-enabled vehicles and handheld citation devices, and initially budgeting roughly $162,000 for year one, with estimated ticket revenue perhaps $100,000 (staff cautioned revenue could be lower as compliance rises).

Council members debated the merits of an in‑house program versus contracting, liability and training timelines, and whether CRA/TIF funds could cover shortfalls. The city attorney pointed to an existing Attorney General opinion advising caution when delegating police power and described constraints in delegating citation issuance. Several council members asked staff to pursue an AGO opinion or additional legal review while moving forward with implementation planning so the city does not stall.

The council provided direction to advance the parking management plan implementation steps (including an initial warning/education period) and to simultaneously seek legal guidance on contractor roles and AG opinion, with staff to return with ordinances, agreements and refined budgets.