PORTLAND, Ore. — The Portland City Council is engaged in a renewed discussion over the city’s controversial parking policy of charging for metered parking after 7 p.m. The current rule, which extends paid parking until 10 p.m., is under scrutiny as council members consider the possibility of rolling it back to the previous 7 p.m. cut-off.
The debate surrounding this issue was ignited last spring when Mayor Keith Wilson introduced a budget that aimed to raise parking fees and expand paid parking hours. While the City Council approved the increase in fees, it rejected the proposal to extend parking hours later into the night. Nevertheless, Mayor Wilson decided to implement the extended hours through an administrative measure rather than seeking formal approval from the Council.
This unilateral action has caused significant controversy, raising questions about the mayor’s authority to enact such changes without Council oversight.
During a recent City Council meeting, Councilor Eric Zimmerman expressed his concerns, urging fellow members to reconsider the parking hours policy. Zimmerman, who had previously opposed both the fee increases and the extended parking hours, argued that it was time for the Council to reclaim its legislative authority on such matters.
“I think a parking hours discussion is a fair discussion to have, like we did with fees or the price. I lost that, but I think it was a fair conversation,” Zimmerman stated. “We have a moment here where the legislative body can undo, I think, an administrative stretch and return to 7 o’clock in the evening parking hours.”
While some council members share Zimmerman’s concerns about legislative process, opinions on the policy itself remain divided. Councilor Mitch Green indicated support for keeping paid parking until 10 p.m. but acknowledged the importance of ensuring that such decisions go through the appropriate legislative channels.
“I do think you are raising a very important point about the legislative authority that we have to codify law,” Green remarked, reaffirming Zimmerman’s viewpoint.
On a more cautious note, Councilor Olivia Clark suggested pausing any substantial decisions until a financial report is released. This report would outline the potential impacts of reverting to 7 p.m. free parking on the budget of the Portland Bureau of Transportation (PBOT).
The financial implications of extended parking hours were significant, as they were initially implemented to help bolster PBOT revenue amid ongoing funding challenges. The additional revenue generated from busy evening hours in popular districts has served to offset budget deficits.
Should the Council decide to roll back to 7 p.m., there may be substantial financial repercussions for PBOT, compelling the bureau to look for budget cuts or request additional city funding.
As discussions continue, Council members agree that any final decision must carefully consider the balance between public convenience and financial stability.
This debate is still in its initial stages, with no formal proposal to repeal the extended hours currently on the agenda. Further deliberations and financial analyses are essential before any voting takes place.
As the Portland City Council navigates this contentious issue, the larger question of governance—specifically, the extent of the mayor’s power to enact such significant changes unilaterally—will undoubtedly remain a focal point of discussion. For Portland residents and visitors, the outcome could significantly impact the cost of evening outings, determining whether parking remains a paid service after 7 p.m. or returns to being free.
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