Parking division earmarks $2.5M for meter upgrades, flags equity questions on app-only spots

Parking Services presented a plan to modernize on-street meters and payment systems following the Walker parking study and proposed a $2.5 million capital placeholder for technology upgrades. Director Adam Wason said the figure is an initial allocation to be refined with community and Transportation Commission input. "We do have a $2.5 million capital budget item in this budget request to help implement that," he said.

Wason described operational responsibilities—four city-owned garages, several surface lots, meter enforcement, residential-permit zones and special-event setups—and said parking staff are working with the Commission and community on a rate review. Council members and residents pressed about equity when a small number of blocks have ParkMobile-only payment and the city oes not want to create barriers for people without smartphone access or bank cards. Parking staff said most blocks currently offer multiple payment options and that any shift to kiosks or different technology would be subject to public vetting and ordinance changes.

Councilors also noted a Taste of Bloomington trial where a flat-event day fee was charged for quick exit from the garage; staff reported it worked well operationally and promised to provide revenue follow-up. Staff said parking enforcement supports scooter management downtown via geofencing and that they coordinate with private scooter providers to remediate misparked devices.