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Poulsbo staff pitch phased approach to downtown paid parking, council eyes enforcement now
Summary
City staff presented an RFP‑driven, two‑phase approach: begin enforcement with an outside contractor, then phase in paid parking (mobile app favored); council discussed $2/hour draft rate, enforcement hours and 150 planned employee spaces.
City staff presented a two‑phase downtown parking plan that would begin with contracted enforcement of time limits and later introduce paid parking. Staff said an RFP for parking enforcement vendors is open and responses are due the week after the meeting; that first phase is intended to clean up signage and enforce existing two‑hour limits before installing a Phase 2 paid‑parking system.
“One of the pieces… the resolution that the council approved regarding the new parking program, currently, the rate would be $2 an hour, and would be enforced between 10AM and 6PM,” Councilmember Gary McVay said, summarizing the resolution the council previously considered. Staff said Phase 2 would likely rely on a mobile payment app rather than kiosks, and that proposals will inform the exact design and timing.
Councilmembers and port commissioners raised concerns about impacts on boat owners, recurring downtown users (rowers, kayakers) and long‑stay visitors, with several urging the city to make sure day users have a fair option. Port Commissioner Jeff Fyle warned that strict two‑hour enforcement could be “really painful” for boat owners who use the port for day trips, and urged considering earlier deployment of paid parking so boaters could simply pay for longer stays.
Staff estimated the plan could add roughly 150 employee‑designated spaces through partnerships with churches and private lots — roughly a 20% increase over existing city‑owned spaces — and said net parking revenue would be directed to downtown parking improvements, including planning for a future parking garage. No final council vote occurred; staff said results of the enforcement RFP and public outreach will inform next steps.
