East Central Iowa News

The Oskaloosa City Council discussed parking issues on some of the city's streets during the Council's Jan. 3 meeting.

Julie Wells, owner of Julie’s Homestyle Cafe on S Market Street in Oskaloosa, commented on a lack of parking in the area, which she blamed partly on the fact that there are city vehicles constantly parked in spaces in the parking lot meant for customers. She pointed out that there are normally three city-owned vehicles in the lot meant for her business at all times, adding that she believed there should be a 72-hour parking ordinance.

"This is an issue for me as a business owner," Wells told the council, adding that there had been a history of parking problems near her business going back to the renovation of the adjacent first station. In addition, since her business opens so early, parking restrictions don't apply.

"Somebody can park outside all day long, and there's nothing I can do," she added.

The Council debated the issue, nothing that since the fire station renovation, problems with parking had been noted, but all of the spaces were considered general public use parking. Several ideas were discussed, and the council eventually agreed to address Wells' concerns in a parking study.

"We’ll fix it," Oskaloosa Mayor David Krutzfeldt said. "Something's going to happen. I don't know what yet, but we'll talk about it. But something will happen. I don't know enough about it, but I have a tough time understanding why we have to park those vehicles there."

Krutzfeldt added that he came from a background in retail shops, where business owners and workers were required to park behind and away from the property to allow customers better access, and the same should be true of any building where a city office is located.

"That was just a requirement so the customers can park closer to the mall," Krutzfeldt said. "Same situation here, as far as I'm concerned."

The council also voted to pass the final reading of two different ordinance amendments pertaining to parking.

One amendment was to change the parking rules on North A and North B Streets, and South B Street, all of which had been areas of concern due to lack of visibility caused by parking on both sides of the street.

After traffic was studied, the Council ruled that parking will only be allowed on one side of the street on all three streets from now on.