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Board debates paid-parking changes, votes to seek legal review and merchant outreach
Summary
Board members expressed strong concern that revised paid-parking hours could harm downtown retail; the board voted to engage legal counsel Norton to review options and directed staff to survey merchants and prepare outreach materials for the commission.
Board members spent a substantial portion of the meeting debating the city's recently revised paid‑parking ordinance, arguing it could reduce customer access and harm downtown retail businesses. Multiple directors described direct merchant complaints and urged more merchant outreach and a coordinated petition or letter to the city commission.
Concerns raised included new or extended paid‑parking hours that the board said would deter shopping, especially on evenings and Sundays, and the cost of enforcement compared with the revenue generated. One director suggested funding two hours of free parking as a targeted merchant-support strategy; others called for a merchant survey to gather evidence before approaching the commission.
Staff noted the revised ordinance is effective June 29 and said commissioners can revisit the change at their discretion; staff advised that board members may email commissioners or coordinate a letter. The board moved to engage legal counsel Norton to review available options for formal action and to advise on petition protocols; the motion passed by voice vote after a second.
Next steps: staff will coordinate merchant outreach and a survey, ask Norton to prepare legal guidance on petition and advocacy options, and seek to present findings to the commission during the budget/hearing process. The board placed the parking item on the September agenda for follow-up.
