As the Mercer Island City Council discussion rolled on regarding Town Center on-street parking regulations, City Manager Jessi Bon spoke up as various proposals were brought to the table.

When addressing council about the 250 parking spaces available, Bon noted: “We have a Town Center parking plan that prioritized those spaces to support our businesses. We sunsetted the permit parking program with intention to free up those spaces to promote turnover and to support businesses.”

When the Town Center Parking Area reaches completion at the former Tully’s site, there will be an additional 33 spaces and two accessible spaces available for commuters and residents. According to city management analyst Amelia Tjaden at the March 18 council meeting, OMA Construction commenced its work on the site in February and the project is anticipated to be completed by this July.

“Managing the on-street parking supply to ensure that parking is available for both commuters leaving Mercer Island and patrons of Mercer Island businesses will be crucial to the success of Town Center,” Tjaden said.

When the Sound Transit Light Rail Station reaches its anticipated opening in late 2025, parking demand in Town Center and at the nearby park and ride will likely increase, reads a city document.

During the meeting — which featured feedback with nothing set in stone — the majority of council leaned into the possibility of:

* An initial two hours of free Town Center parking between 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday-Saturday with up to four hours maximum for a paid fee of $2.50 per hour utilizing an app.

* An initial two hours of free parking at the Town Center Parking Area between 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday-Sunday with up to 12 hours maximum for a paid fee of $2.50 per hour and a maximum daily rate of $12.50.

Bon said the city needs to update its on-street parking regulations within Town Center and establish regulations at the former Tully’s site. On the parking citation fee front beginning on Jan. 1 of this year, the city increased the amount from $20 to $54.

She added that the proposed regulations are open to policy discussion and may head in a different direction as council’s voices continue to be heard. A first reading of the parking ordinance will likely occur at council’s April 1 meeting and Bon said they hope to conclude this work in the April-May time frame.

While councilmember Lisa Anderl is concerned with some seniors not being familiar with technology and apps, Bon said the city could launch an informational marketing campaign and provide assistance at its senior resource fair.

On the $12.50 maximum daily rate at the former Tully’s site, councilmember Ted Weinberg said he feels it’s too high and perhaps they could work with some different numbers or have some spaces requiring permits.

During the public appearances portion of the meeting, Mercer Island resident Victor Raisys said his local business supports two hours of free Town Center street parking but with no opportunity for extended time, and they don’t support a parking app requirement. They are in favor of a 24/7 proposed enforcement — if feasible — that city staff touched upon at its July 16 meeting.

Raisys said the two-hour, no-app scenario is consistent with Bellevue, Kirkland, West Seattle and Renton’s parking regulations in their retail areas.

“What’s unclear to me is why the council has chosen to go in a different direction from the surrounding communities and from the original proposal by city staff back in July,” Raisys said.

According to a city document, “Staff recommend that revenue generated from the parking program first be directed to support parking enforcement and parking signage. Revenue that exceeds the cost of enforcement and signage will remain in the city’s general fund for use and appropriation at the direction of the city council.”