SANDPOINT — All on-street parking kiosks installed in Sandpoint's downtown core last summer have been removed. 

Although many downtown businesses are relieved by the absence of paid parking, several employees said confusion still lingers for those parking downtown. 

New signage posted throughout downtown explains that payment is required after two hours in free two-hour zones via text or through the ParkSmarter mobile app.    

Downtown employees noted that some drivers move their vehicles to a different parking stall once their two-hour limit has expired, only to return and find a ticket. 

Community and development planner Jason Welker clarified the current system, explaining that moving to a new parking stall in the same parking zone is prohibited, and parkers have the option to either pay for additional time or move their car to park in a city lot. 

The system is meant to encourage downtown employees with a parking permit to park in city lots, so parking zones will be available to more customers, said Welker. 

Employees have also shared concerns that the older generation may not be familiar with using technology to pay. 

Just a month after the city's heavily debated paid parking plan rollout, the Sandpoint City Council approved a motion made by Councilor Kyle Schrieber to remove on-street parking kiosks altogether, reverting to the original free two-hour parking system with the option to pay for a time extension. 

The rollout sparked confusion and frustration for many community members after its execution, and several weeks of controversy and complaints ensued — including paid parking protests and a possible recall of Sandpoint Mayor Jeremy Grimm and council president Deb Ruehle.   

Although all on-street parking kiosks have been removed, kiosks at the Sandpoint City Beach and city lots remain, with paid parking continuing to be enforced in those areas. 

The initial weeks of the implementation saw a lack of clear communication, technical issues and enforcement errors, said Welker. 

"Those problems have been corrected, but that does not erase the experience of the people who encountered them," he said at a July 15 council meeting. 

But those assurances didn't appease many community members, including downtown local business owners, who said they saw sales plummet following the rocky rollout of paid parking. 

Jessi Johnston, owner of two downtown businesses, said her companies saw sales fall by 64% compared to the same period last year, following the program's rollout. 

"We don't have the luxury of making up those losses later in the year," Johnston said, "I'm struggling to feed my family."

However, councilmembers noted that some business owners did not experience any problems with the program.

During an Aug. 5 city council meeting, Councilor Joel Auspiro noted that City Beach Organics owner Bob Edmondson was in favor of keeping the kiosks and had requested that his email conveying that support be presented to the council. Edmondson added that other local businesses held similar views. 

Included in Schrieber's motion to remove on-street parking kiosks was reinstating the Sandpoint Parking Committee. 

On Sept. 1, Mayor Jeremy Grimm issued a letter to the community seeking volunteers for a reestablished parking committee.  

The committee will be responsible for reviewing facts, considering the experiences of residents, businesses, employees, and visitors, and providing recommendations to the Mayor and City Council, said Grimm. 

"I am seeking members who will approach this work without a predetermined outcome. The committee needs people willing to examine the data, listen respectfully to differing views, and balance financial realities, access, enforcement, business needs, and Sandpoint’s unique culture," said Grimm.