Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Public Safety topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Council rejects private managed‑parking pilot for Car Week, directs police‑led plan to curb cruising and noise
Summary
After months of community debate, the council declined a privately run managed‑parking pilot (GoodRoots) for Car Week and directed staff to implement an enhanced police‑centered plan that emphasizes noise enforcement, temporary speed humps, tow staging and a quick‑reaction team.
The City Council voted on May 5 not to adopt a revocable license with GoodRoots for a managed‑parking pilot during Car Week and instead directed City staff and the police department to implement an enhanced enforcement plan. The decision follows a presentation by GoodRoots proposing stadium‑style guidance of vehicles into downtown spaces and Larson Field shuttle parking, and a competing police plan focused on enforcement and engineering measures.
Chief Treyer presented two alternatives. GoodRoots’ proposal would have funneled vehicles into supervised downtown parking and Larson Field remote parking with shuttles to reduce circling and create a single controlled experience. The chief’s alternative—presented as ‘‘Plan B’’—relied on stepped‑up enforcement, decibel monitoring for excessive engine noise, pre‑positioned tow trucks, temporary speed‑humps, a quick‑reaction sergeant team, expanded signage and volunteer ambassadors to serve as eyes and ears.
Public comment overwhelmingly favored an enforcement‑first approach; numerous residents and the Civic and business groups told council the GoodRoots plan risked creating an additional evening event in the village, changing Carmel’s character and inviting unintended congestion and commercial activity. Several speakers supported the police alternative and asked for clear noise enforcement tools and staffing.
Council deliberations focused on safety, community character and enforceability. After discussion the council unanimously approved a motion to decline the GoodRoots agreement and instead implement the police department’s enhanced plan for the 2026 Car Week evenings. Staff said they will stage tow trucks, deploy decibel readers, add temporary traffic‑calming measures and request mutual‑aid officers from nearby agencies where feasible; funding and logistics will be managed within existing operations and, if needed, through off‑duty officer hiring.
Chief Treyer said the department is prepared to execute the enforcement plan, including rapid response teams and targeted enforcement of revving, reckless driving and noise. The council asked staff to provide updates on implementation and enforcement results after Car Week.
