MUSCATINE, Iowa — Parking is a hot topic in downtown Muscatine. The aging meters only take quarters.
The Muscatine City Council agreed to continue parking enforcement with the addition of an app. That comes with higher costs.
Finance Director Nancy Lueck said parking rates haven't increased for years. Right now, two-hour meters cost 25 cents per half an hour, and 10-hour meters cost 25 cents per hour. She said the meters don't even bring in enough money to pay the cost of enforcement.
"Our proposal is to set a rate that we will not have to change for five to 10 years," Lueck said. Money from parking meters stays in a separate fund.
The council will evaluate parking apps, looking for one that works with their current handheld ticket dispensers.
But while the city worries about how to pay, business owners just want guests to come through the door.
One of them is Candy Fuegen, who owns Salon Incognito and Live Leo Apparel.
"It is a problem for guests, or any patron that wants to shop downtown. You have two hours to shop our entire Second Street," Fuegen said.
She said the time limits on street parking can be a hassle. Parking downtown can also be confusing, with different rates and rules on different streets. She'd like parking to be more convenient, something an app could help with.
"I have no problem with paying for parking, and I don’t think our guests have any problem with paying for parking," Fuegen said. "What I think would be so beneficial would be to have the app."
City council said it will revisit parking rule changes after that app is implemented. Lueck said it will be at least three months before the app is available to use.
Watch more news, weather and sports on News 8's YouTube channel