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Council reviews parking-fund repairs and considers event fees, curb-pass and solar revenue options
Summary
Staff reviewed parking fund projects including Beaver Avenue lot reconstruction and garage repairs. Council discussed charging for event parking, curb-pass plate-reader programs and whether solar over lots could shift savings to general-fund needs.
Tom Brown, speaking for parking operations, listed five parking projects in the enterprise fund (Pew Street garage repairs, McAllister Street deck, Beaver Avenue lot reconstruction and placeholders for future parking-structure planning). He said staff expects to complete needed repairs without new borrowing in 2026 because the enterprise fund's outlook is sound.
Councilmembers raised ideas for generating revenue from visitors and events — including targeted event-time on-street charges, a curb-pass plate-reader program that bills via an app, and installing solar panels over surface lots to generate energy or revenue. Staff said they plan to study event-parking pricing and administration next year and will return with cost-benefit estimates; they noted legal and practical constraints such as permit zones, signage costs and enforcement needs.
Council members also asked whether revenue from parking operations could be used to reduce general-fund expenses; staff said some transfers are possible but legal and enterprise-fund constraints apply and a detailed study is needed to confirm feasibility. The council asked staff to evaluate options and to provide estimates in early 2026.
