Council adopts amended parking rules, extends downtown parking holiday through May 6

At a borough meeting, the council adopted an amended resolution (CR10) that modifies metered parking regulations and extends a temporary parking-holiday period to May 6 while staff collects more data to refine pricing and hours.

Councilmembers discussed changing a prior two‑hour limit to a four‑hour limit in non‑metered areas when metered parking is not enforced and clarified the holiday hours and pricing for certain borough lots. Councilmember Friedman and others said the change responds to business and resident feedback and is intended to help downtown activity while staff reviews data from a consultant.

During public comment, resident Ricky Gartz criticized the pace of the parking program and questioned why additional consultant funding appeared to have been added, saying the process had been in discussion for years and that downtown stakeholders were insufficiently informed. A councilmember responded in the meeting that the additional consultant amount was $20,000 (not $40,000 as alleged) and described the figure as subject to change depending on needs.

Council documents discussed at the meeting designate lots affected by the rules and the application of $2-per-hour charges during designated evening hours in certain lots, with other times remaining free and a 4-hour maximum in some cases. Council members said staff will continue data collection and community outreach before making further permanent changes.

The council voted to adopt CR10 at the meeting after amendment and discussion; roll-call votes were recorded during the consent-agenda process.