Iola City Council members arent much interested in change for changes sake when it comes to downtown parking; or on the size of the Council, for that matter.
Members discussed the influx of downtown dwellers due to an increase of renovated upstairs apartments around the square, and where they should park.
Its a good problem, said Mayor Jon Wells, and deserves attention.
As is, those living in upstairs apartments cannot park on the outside parking stalls surrounding the square for more than two hours at a time. Likewise, parking on the inside lanes of the square those around the courthouse is prohibited from 2 to 6 a.m. to allow city trucks access to either sweep the roadway on a regular basis, or handle snow or ice removal during inclement weather.
Wells suggested the city consider removing the overnight parking ban on the inside the square, adding, We may have to change our expectations on street sweeping and snow removal.
Council members tossed around a few other ideas, such as allowing overnight parking except for Thursday nights and Friday mornings typically when the city sweeps the square or by allowing overnight parking on Jefferson, Jackson and Washington avenues, while keeping the current rules in place for Madison.
Having different rules on different days didnt find favor with Councilman Chase Martin.
We either keep it simple, or we dont touch it, he said.
Councilwoman Nancy Ford asked City Administrator Sid Fleming to come back with more data, such as the number of downtown apartments, and whether that is expected to grow; and the number and location of publicly available parking spaces.
Wells agreed that the city should keep any changes simple.
And if it becomes a problem, theres nothing that says we cant change it back, Wells said.
CHANGING the size of the Council is an idea that died for lack of a groundswell of public support.
After noting the pros and cons of staying with an eight-member governing body, or down-sizing, Councilman Gene Myrick said he doubted further conversation would be productive.
We can spend our time on something more vital and important to the community, he said.
