The Jackson Town Council voted unanimously on Oct. 20 to reconsider its Oct. 6 decision to implement overnight fees at the Millward Simpson parking garage, then withdrew the original motion and continued the item to the Nov. 3 regular meeting.

Councilor Ann Beeman moved to reconsider the Oct. 6 motion and Councilor Lieberman seconded. After the reconsideration vote carried, Beeman withdrew her original motion and requested that the seconder withdraw as well. Council then voted 5–0 to continue the item to Nov. 3. Staff had asked for reconsideration as a technical step to permit additional public comment and to allow staff to prepare a fresh presentation and analysis.

Why it matters: The original Oct. 6 motion would have instructed staff to implement a payment structure at the Town parking garage with the first eight hours free, then $5 per hour up to a $25 daily maximum. Reconsideration resets that vote “as if it never happened,” leaving the garage free until the council takes further action. Councilors and staff said continuing the item would give residents another opportunity to comment and allow staff to prepare additional usage data and alternatives.

Council and staff emphasized process details. Town staff explained that a motion to reconsider must be made by a member who voted with the prevailing side, that approval would place the original motion back on the table for full debate, and that continuing the item would preserve the public’s opportunity to comment at a later meeting.

Public comment at the Oct. 20 meeting ranged from procedural questions to lived-experience testimony about local parking shortages. Doug Grama, who identified himself as a Jackson resident, told the council that many local residents — particularly apartment dwellers — rely on the municipal garage in winter and said the proposed fees “seem kinda like a tax on locals.” He described congested housing and limited private parking near his building and said the fees would be a burden to working residents.

Council members asked staff to prepare a new, consolidated staff report for Nov. 3 that summarizes prior findings, usage data, stakeholder groups (residents, employees, visitors, potential shuttle or transit users), and policy options. Councilor Schechter asked staff to include historical context: why the garage was built, who currently uses it, and what goals the council is trying to accomplish with pricing. Staff said they would provide a fresh presentation and consider the requests raised at the Oct. 20 discussion.

Next steps: The item will be presented anew at the Nov. 3 regular meeting. Staff recommended continuing the item rather than deciding it immediately so that additional public comment and fuller analysis can inform council deliberations.