Veterans say vehicles have blocked courthouse memorial; council to consider 2-hour parking and overnight restrictions

During council reports on Oct. 13, a council member said they had received a call from Don Shamco on behalf of local veterans, who expressed concern that parked vehicles were blocking public access to the courthouse memorial. The councilmember asked staff and police to explore options to ensure the memorial remains accessible.

Staff and police described practical options under consideration: a two-hour parking limit for the west side of the courthouse (between Second and Third streets), the possibility of restricting overnight parking, and coordination with an upcoming downtown parking ordinance amendment. Police and staff said enforcement typically allows exemptions for funerals or known events and that officers often start enforcement timing after observing a violation rather than strictly on the time of the event report.

City staff noted the land near the courthouse includes county and state road segments, so some coordination may be required; nevertheless staff said the city can regulate parking in that block and planned to include it in the ordinance scheduled for consideration at a future council meeting (likely Oct. 27). Council asked staff to prepare language that would allow exceptions for church events and funerals to avoid unintended ticketing.

What comes next Staff will draft ordinance language to add the courthouse-block parking changes to the upcoming downtown parking ordinance packet; police and public works will advise on enforcement and signage. Any formal ordinance amendment will return to council for public hearing and vote.