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San Luis council delays vote on downtown parking-rate hike after residents raise access concerns
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Summary
Council members continued debate on a proposal to raise downtown pay-station rates from $0.50 to $1.25 per hour (plus a $0.35 restriction fee) and to shift meters to mobile/text payment, agreeing to schedule a work session for more outreach and options for people without smartphones.
Chief of Police Miguel Reynoso asked the San Luis City Council to approve Resolution 2393, which would raise downtown parking rates from $0.50 to $1.25 per hour and add a $0.35 restriction fee while migrating pay stations to a mobile app and text-pay options. Reynoso said the city has spent $26,908 on pay-station maintenance since installation and reported coin payments of $4,334, credit-card payments of $4,124 and mobile-app transactions of $24,909 from July 2025 through February 2026.
Council members pressed staff on several points. Councilmember Tadeo Sal de la Bolla said parking controls have been perceived as enforcement rather than a revenue source and urged more resident and business outreach before changing payment systems. “Not everyone is on social media,” he said, asking for extra notice to merchants and elderly residents. Reynoso replied that staff has used social media and will issue a press release and a clear effective date if the council approves the fees.
Councilmember Luis Cabrera proposed limiting downtown parking to a two-hour maximum to prevent long-term parkers from occupying spaces; several members said that would better serve merchants than allowing paid six-hour stays. A councilmember suggested prepaid cards or QR-code vouchers sold at the utilities office to help residents without smartphones use the system. Another member asked staff to produce multi-year revenue projections to show when the system might turn a net positive.
After extended discussion, Councilmember (motion-maker) moved to continue the item for a dedicated work session to explore outreach plans, alternate payment options and enforcement implications; the motion was seconded and carried. The council did not vote on rate-setting, and staff will return with outreach materials, options to preserve coin or card access for residents who need it and additional financial projections.
Next steps: staff will schedule a work session to present outreach options, alternatives for non-smartphone users (prepaid codes/QR cards), and financial projections before returning the resolution for a final vote.
