Sandpoint council authorizes IPS contract to implement multi‑phase parking management plan after lengthy debate

The Sandpoint City Council voted March 4 to authorize a contract with IPS Group to implement the city’s adopted parking-management plan, clearing the way for kiosks, a mobile app and a multi-tier permit program to enforce existing time limits and introduce paid parking in selected city lots.

Director Jason Welker told council and the public that the phased system is designed primarily to improve turnover in the downtown two‑hour zones and to create permit options for residents, county residents, downtown employees and marina slip holders. He said the city plans to avoid automated license-plate‑reader technology (prohibited by Idaho law) and instead rely on kiosks, text-to-pay and a Park Smarter mobile app so enforcement officers can check sessions with handheld devices.

Welker said the plan covers roughly 505 off‑street stalls downtown and includes a permit structure that in many cases will allow longer off‑street stays for permit holders (for example, an 8‑hour off‑street permit for city and county pass holders and a downtown employee monthly permit). He also described optional marina slip holder permits and boat‑launch fee options that staff say could improve the city’s ability to maintain waterfront infrastructure.

Russell Robinson, IPS Group’s regional representative, described the company’s Park Smarter mobile app and text‑to‑pay workflow, and showed the multispace kiosk proposed for installation. Robinson said kiosks can run on solar and built‑in cellular modems, accept Apple/Google Pay, and that enforcement handhelds will cross‑check kiosks, app and text sessions before an officer issues citations.

Members of the public raised objections during a long public comment period. Kevin Plunder, a downtown business owner, urged council to delay or table the contract, arguing that revenue projections and administration costs in the staff packet lacked detail and that paid parking would discourage visitors. Other residents voiced confusion about how the system would work, asked for more community outreach and suggested a phased rollout focused first on the waterfront lots and boat‑launch fees.

Councilors debated tradeoffs between improved enforcement and community concerns about change. Several members urged a gradual implementation to allow public education, while others argued the city needs tools to relieve a downtown occupancy rate previously measured as high as 97 percent at peak times. Council President Deb Rule said the system can be turned on in stages and the fee schedule will return to the council for adoption in May.

The council approved the authorization to execute the IPS contract by roll call (Yes: Spiro, Torres, Ruhl; No: Schreiber, Duquette). The approval authorizes the mayor and staff to finalize the contract; the city will present a proposed fee schedule and specifics about phasing and rollout at future meetings. Staff said implementation will include an education period (a minimum 90‑day rollout) before enforcement begins.