By Dan Spalding
News Now Warsaw

WARSAW — Warsaw unveiled details for a new downtown parking policy that would rely on modern technology and do away with the use of chalk marks as a tool for parking enforcement.

The good news is that the existing free two-hour parking would remain intact, with a fee-based option to remain in the same spot for a longer period.

But the plan would also seek to significantly increase fines for motorists whose vehicles remain parked for long periods of time.

Expanding the two-hour parking would be done online with a new fee structure that could start at three dollars for the third hour.

Plans are tentative and no decisions were made by City Council on Monday night following a lengthy presentation.

The framework of changes is the result of a new parking committee and input from a consultant.

City council would still have a final say.

A recent parking study determined that the existing parking enforcement policy is inconsistent and that many businesses are upset with how downtown employees abuse the existing system.

Inconsistent parking enforcement has led some downtown workers to leave their vehicles parked in the same spot along downtown streets (often in front of stores and businesses) all day long and sometimes even longer — much to the ire of storeowners, said City Planner Justin Taylor.

The use of chalk to mark tires has proven ineffective with some motorists who then move their vehicles just a foot or two to make it appear it was moved.

Future enforcement would be done with a digital scanner system, Taylor said.

He said they want to implement "a consistent and customer-friendly enforcement program."

An ability to extend the two-hour parking with a simple payment would provide an option for motorists while also likely creating more parking "turnover," Taylor said.

That service could be done with a cell phone that would not require downloading an app, he said.

At the same time, parking fines for extensive stays could be raised from $10 to $20 or $25, Taylor said.

City councilwoman Cindy Dobbins wondered aloud if the ability to extend parking in the same spot with a three-dollar fee would be sufficient.

"So we have it so the third hour would be $3 and not to exceed $11 a day ... is that enough to discourage people?" Dobbins asked.

Consultant John Oglesby, founder and CEO of Parking Whisperer, offered his thoughts on the issue:

"Is that going to be too high? Don't know. Is that going to be too low? I don't know. Are there going to be people who are unhappy with it? ... Yes, I can tell you that," Oglesby told the council.

The city has narrowed its search for a contractor to implement changes and new technology.

The hiring of Denison Parking, Indianapolis, will go before the Warsaw Board of Public Works for consideration soon.

With a growing downtown that boasts nearly zero storefront vacancies, parking has become a growing issue in the downtown in recent years.

At the same time, the city and Kosciusko County officials have been discussing plans for a parking garage, which would provide a new option for the hundreds of full-time workers in the immediate area.

Monday night's presentation can be seen here on the city website. It starts at the 6:15 mark.

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