Some La Crosse city council members oppose police parking adjustments

Committee approved changes, which move to full council

Proposed adjustments to language in parking rules for downtown La Crosse are causing concerns among some on the city council.

Scott Neumeister is one of them, and he doesn’t necessarily buy the argument that the police aren’t trying to put the screws to anyone with the proposed clarifications.

“It seems to me, and others, at least those who have contacted me, are a little bitter about this proposal,” Neumeister said at Monday’s meeting, “that that’s exactly what we’re trying to do, turn the screw on them.”

The full council votes on the changes next week after the council committee, Monday, approved changes that essentially make some of the city’s parking rules easier to understand and enforce. 

Neumeister isn’t a fan of what police have proposed.

“We are obviously going towards meters,” he said. “It’s obvious and it’s been brought up. Why do we want to ruffle feathers before that time?”

Neumeister is opposing the police changes, which come in an advance of a new, automated system to pay for parking in the city’s ramps.

And, not everyone is buying that explanation by police. 

La Crosse’s police say it just wants clarifications in two-hour free parking regulations. Some on the city council suggest the move is too far for some who park in the downtown, like north side rep. Andrea Richmond

“I think we’re forgetting the importance of who the people are that are coming to the restaurants, who the people are that are coming to shop,” Richmond said.

Along with the city’s new automated parking system in the ramps, La Crosse parking coordinator Jim Flottmeyer said they have begun discussions about ending free parking on the streets downtown and switching to a paid parking system, as well.