Compilation of Updates from Taylor Mill and Newport Council Sessions

Compilation of Updates from Taylor Mill and Newport Council Sessions

In the heart of Newport, businesses along Monmouth Street are expressing concerns about a new pilot program that replaces traditional parking meters with an app-based system, the Passport Parking app. Business owners fear that this change could deter customers, particularly the elderly and vendors who rely on quick access, leading to fewer visitors and increased operational challenges [1][3][5].

The initiative, launched by the Newport Police Department, aims to address numerous complaints about malfunctioning meters and parking issues in the 800 block of Monmouth Street [1]. Police Chief Chris Fangman emphasizes that the app could help track long-term vehicle parking and has handled first-time violations flexibly, with low ticket numbers so far [1][3]. However, business owners like Wendy Braun (The Baker’s Table and Monmouth St. Mercantile) and Cindy Hahn (Strong’s Pizzaria) worry that the app's implementation could lead to a loss in revenue, affecting their ability to pay bills [3].

The city is taking the concerns seriously, planning to evaluate the pilot closely and engage with stakeholders to refine the parking management strategy on Monmouth Street [1][3]. Business owners have asked for data before the implementation, and the city manager has promised to meet with them at the end of the trial period to gather feedback on the parking program [6].

Elsewhere in Taylor Mill, commissioners are considering updates to on-street parking regulations, based on a report by Fire Chief Lynch and Police Chief James Mills. Taylor Mill is also seeing developments such as the construction of a $16.5 million city-owned parking garage in the old Peace Bell location, scheduled to open late this year [7]. The city hopes this garage will alleviate some of the parking problems. Fire Chief Bryan Lynch has proposed encouraging city businesses to install Knoxboxes for emergency access [9].

Meanwhile, Austin Rosenbaum, an Engineer/Medic, and Brian Robinson, FF/EMT, were recognised by St Elizabeth Hospital for their help in dropping off and stabilizing a patient who had gone into cardiac arrest [2]. They were presented with certificates and challenge coins for their actions.

In Newport, a hillside slip occurred on Mason Road near Decoursey Pike, and UES has been contracted to develop a plan to stabilize the hillside [4]. The city is also dealing with a complex parking issue on Monmouth Street, with Mayor Tom Guidugli Jr. stressing that city officials are striving for a thoughtful approach [1][3].

Newport is not the only area facing challenges. The owner of the Antique Store expressed concerns about the new parking situation affecting her business due to difficulty for vendors to load and unload [8]. Despite these concerns, some business owners appear to find the current parking program acceptable [6].

The city is focusing on monitoring the pilot closely, soliciting feedback from businesses and residents, and making adjustments as needed. The cautious, incremental approach suggests Newport officials want to balance technological improvements with community needs, although no concrete changes or alternatives to the app have been reported yet [1][3].

[1] Newport Newsday, "Newport Passport Parking App Pilot Sparks Business Concerns," 2022. [2] St Elizabeth Hospital, "Austin Rosenbaum and Brian Robinson Recognized for Life-Saving Actions," 2022. [3] Newport Newsday, "Newport Passport Parking App Pilot: What Business Owners Are Saying," 2022. [4] Taylor Mill Times, "UES Contracted to Stabilize Taylor Mill Hillside," 2022. [5] Newport Newsday, "Passport Parking App: A Tech Barrier for Newport Businesses?" 2022. [6] Newport Newsday, "City Manager to Meet with Business Owners After Passport Parking App Trial," 2022. [7] Taylor Mill Times, "Taylor Mill's New Parking Garage: A Solution to Parking Problems?" 2022. [8] Newport Newsday, "Antique Store Owner Concerned About Passport Parking App's Impact," 2022. [9] Taylor Mill Times, "Fire Chief Proposes Encouraging Knoxboxes for Emergency Access," 2022.

1. Despite the city's intention to improve public safety and address parking issues with the Passport Parking app, business owners like Wendy Braun and Cindy Hahn worry that it could negatively impact their revenue and hinder their financial stability.
2. Recognizing the concerns of businesses along Monmouth Street, the city government plans to evaluate the Passport Parking app pilot closely and engage with stakeholders, including business owners, to potentially refine the parking management strategy and ensure it aligns with both technological improvements and community needs.

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