Council weighs paid overnight parking, e-bike charging and a $100,000 recreation grant for bikeway visitors

Council members discussed ways to provide overnight parking and charging infrastructure for visitors using the Alder Heidi Scenic Bikeway. A council member noted available grant funding: "the letters of intent for that grant are due by October 1, and it could be up to a $100,000 for infrastructure to either start a recreation program or, provide, upgrades and improvements to current recreation programs." Potential short-term solutions included using Trans Cascadia's temporary spots or nearby Forest Service parking, while longer-term ideas included dedicated paid parking, e-bike charging at Portal Park or sand-filter areas near the water plant, and adding EV chargers funded by grants.

Councilors flagged operational questions: whether City Hall could allow overnight parking (that would require a change to the camping/overnight-parking code), restroom availability, reservation/payment infrastructure, neighborhood impacts, and whether the Forest Service or private landowners would permit overnight use. Staff will evaluate candidate sites, costs for charging infrastructure, and prepare any necessary letter(s) of interest before the grant deadline.