MSD board weighs QR kiosks and license‑plate tracking to enforce two‑hour downtown parking

At the April 28 meeting of the MSD advisory board for the Town of Nashville, members reopened discussion of two‑hour parking enforcement and potential technology solutions to address repeat violators, especially on court days.

Sean (speaker 2), who led the discussion, said he has contacted a Charlotte firm offering “budget friendly software” that can track parking by license plate and supports kiosk or QR‑code payment. "I've already reached out to a company out of Charlotte that has a budget friendly software that you can utilize," he said, and offered to arrange a vendor presentation before the June meeting.

Board members described the enforcement problem as concentrated on court days and near certain businesses where vehicles remain parked for multiple hours. One member noted anecdotal instances of the same car parked all day. Sean said the proposal could be configured so the first two hours are free and a small charge would apply thereafter — an approach some nearby towns use to avoid penalizing short‑term visitors while discouraging long‑term parking.

Sean also flagged procedure questions should the MSD enable ticketing: he will coordinate with Chief Shockley to define an appeal process and clarify who would hear appeals if tickets are issued. "If the code officer does write a parking ticket, somebody wants to appeal it, me and him need to get together on the appeal process to who they appeal it to," he said.

Members weighed visual clutter from additional kiosks and signs and suggested giving businesses QR codes to offer patrons a direct way to pay from the shop. Board members asked Sean to return with pricing and a vendor demonstration; no budget appropriation or formal vote on procurement occurred at the meeting.

Next steps: Sean will pursue the vendor presentation and follow up with Chief Shockley on appeals and enforcement logistics; any budget request would be considered in a future meeting.