Willard Beach Paid Parking Working Group

Willard Beach Paid Parking Working Group - Aug 04 2026 Agenda Tuesday, August 4, 2026 at 12:00 PM Council Chambers 1. Roll Call 2. Approval of minutes from July 7, 2026, meeting 2 Willard Beach Paid Parking Minutes - 7.7.26.pdf 3. Public comment 4. Survey update 5. Willard Hose Company update 6. Discuss the order 7. Public comment 8. Adjourn Page 1 of 4  Willard Beach Paid Parking Working Group Meeting Minutes July 7, 2026 Called to order at by Adrienne at 12:03pm. Members Present: Adrienne Jalbert (Conservation Commission), Peter Wilson, Karl Coughlin (Parks & Recreation Director), Officer Rocco Navarro (Traffic Safety Officer), and Melissa Hutchins (Public Works Director) Members Absent: Ellen Sanborn (Finance Director) Approval of minutes: Motion made by Peter Wilson. Seconded by Officer Navarro. Voted unanimously. Public Comment: None at this time. Survey Update: Director Coughlin provided an update based on Shara Dee’s (the City’s Communications Officer) e-mail regarding FlashVote and the timing of the survey. Director Coughlin stated he would meet with Shara and provide an update at the next meeting. Willard Hose Company Discussion: The group discussed that the Call Fire Station owns the property and the City has leased from them in the past. Director Coughlin stated that he would get the contact information for the Call Fire Station folks and reach out to them. Additionally, Director Coughlin stated that he would review the current lease for language regarding parking. Michael Cahill stated that it’s sad that parking was full throughout the neighborhood over the holiday weekend, but the Hose Company parking lot sat empty. He feels that if the Page 2 of 4 city is leasing from them, then they should be able to have the ability to talk with the folks from the Hose Company. He also stated that people that work at the businesses throughout the neighborhood have difficulty finding parking near their workplace. Discuss the Order: The group discussed a few sections of the order 5b – The City has agreed to install a gate to prevent (or reduce) nighttime partying and neighborhood disruption at the current parking lot. Whatever gate design is chosen needs to be compatible or help implement paid parking in that lot. In addition, should there be any changes to the current parking lot? Director Coughlin gave an update regarding the fence project. He stated that it’s in progress and expects it to be completed this year. Director Coughlin and Director Hutchins spoke about the challenges regarding expanding the parking lot and that it is not feasible in the short time. 5c3 – Willard Square needs to have a parking designation that will protect local business. Would no fee, 15 minute parking spots in the area around Willard Square used by customers of Scratch, Willard Scoops, and any other businesses be a possible solution? Dependent on the working group’s recommendation. 7 – Pursuant to recommendation 3.3.6 of the Willard Beach Master Plan, evaluate the feasibility of a new transit stop. Director Hutchins stated that adding stops is now more difficult, as the City no longer has a transportation department. She stated that Metro would need to get involved, but adding new stop depends on location and standards. Additionally, she stated that there would be an added cost to the City. Page 3 of 4 8 – Pursuant to recommendation 3.3.7 of the Willard Beach Master Plan, provide recommendations for possible improved bicycle infrastructure to expand access for cyclists to Willard Beach. This will be addressed in the upcoming Bike/Ped Master Plan. Staff update: Officer Navarro stated that he wrote 67 tickets on 4 separate days and that only 6 of the vehicles were registered in South Portland. He said that many of the people are making their own spots in the parking lot, parking on the grass, in the no parking zone, etc. He estimates he wrote 15 additional tickets on Beach St and Preble. He stated that he hasn’t received many complaints about parking on Willard St, and Deake St., but parking in Willard Square has been terrible. He stated that he checks in with the lifeguards daily to make sure they and WRP employees are the only people parked in the dedicated staff parking spots on Fisherman’s Lane. Director Hutchins said “spot saving” is rampant in that area and that people use cones to block off parking spots. She stated this is the first year they’ve noticed people doing this. Public comment: A resident (who didn’t identify themselves) said that Willard Beach and SMCC needs porta potties in the off-season. Michael Cahill stated that someone has been parking illegally (next to a no parking sign) on Fisherman’s Lane. He also said that people are pretty civil when parking on Willard St. Adjourn: Motion made by Director Coughlin. Seconded by Peter Wilson. Voted unanimously. Meeting adjourned at 1pm. Page 4 of 4