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Board recommends changing downtown 10‑minute spots to 30 minutes, forwards favorable opinion to council
Summary
The Board discussed the origin of 10‑minute parking (COVID-era change) and, after debate about loading needs and enforcement, voted to recommend that the common council replace the 10‑minute spaces near City Hall with 30‑minute parking.
The Board of Public Safety reviewed the status of several 10‑minute parking spaces near City Hall on May 13 and voted to send a favorable recommendation to the common council to change those spaces to 30‑minute parking.
Members traced the 10‑minute designation to a COVID‑era effort to keep curbspace available for takeout and short trips. Some members said the short duration can be inconvenient for people who come to City Hall to pay a ticket or attend to brief business; others noted the spots functioned as a delivery/loading accommodation during the pandemic.
After discussing whether 20 or 30 minutes would be more appropriate, a board member moved to recommend 30‑minute parking and the motion received a second. The board conducted a roll‑call vote and provided a favorable opinion to forward to the common council, which has final authority to modify parking code or signage.
Board members also noted that enforcement practice typically tickets vehicles that exceed a longer window than 10 minutes (members cited observed ticketing after 30–40 minutes), and that the council’s formal resolution or code change will be required to update the official parking regulation.
