Downtown parking

Urged looking at parking alongside 1,000+ housing units under construction, complete streets, and transit rather than piecemeal fixes.

The Main Bar Sandwich Shop owner said parking fees act like a 23% tax on a $12.50 sandwich, cost him $10,000/month and three employees, and urged rejecting parallel parking plans on Main Street.

Shop owner said the parking changes killed her morning client base entirely, and asked for an independent commission to study why parking operations costs rose 40% on the same 3,000 spaces.

Clothing store owner and merchant-group board member said locals are boycotting downtown online, begged the commission to revert to the old parking program before August.

Cafe manager said evening business vanished after 8 p.m. and announced his restaurant will now pay three hours of customers' parking to win them back.

Thanked the commission for scheduling a workshop and town hall, asked that parking be evaluated through an economic-vitality lens, and suggested temporary relief: two hours free, free Sundays, old enforcement hours.

Madison City Grill owner said increased enforcement scared customers away entirely and urged a moratorium on recent changes until workshops conclude.

Resident urged rolling back the parking ordinance now rather than waiting for the August 24-31 events.

Downtown resident can no longer park his work truck on Coconut Avenue overnight and suggested resident parking permits as a fix.

Said paid parking is damaging downtown businesses and urged adoption of a Venice-style two-hour free parking system.

Echoed parking concerns, urged cost scrutiny of the parking division and consideration of free parking for businesses.