Editor’s note: This is the second in a two-part series update on the UW-Eau Claire/Third Ward parking problem.

As the Eau Claire Police Department works with UW-Eau Claire and students to avoid parking problems, the task of amending the flaws of the current parking laws falls to the City Council.

While no new parking ordinances were passed this summer, a committee comprised of representatives of several parties and council members met to create new policies to solve parking problems.

Councilman Toby Biegel, said ideas such as additional painting on curbs to clearly show where parking is illegal, a uniform time limit on street parking and the development of a residential parking pass have been discussed. These ideas potentially could be a part of the group’s proposal to the council in the next few months.

Student Senate President Chad Wade said the senate is strongly in favor of the measure to add additional painting on curbs to designate illegal parking areas, and they have volunteered their labor to aid in completing the project.

Wade praised the efforts of the committee.

“They’ve done a lot of good work.”

Biegel expressed a need for negotiation and understanding between the different groups involved.

“This is something that has to be developed with all the parties,” he said. He refers to the inclusion of two student representatives in the parking committee as a good sign that all voices are being heard in the process.

Wade echoed Biegel’s sentiments.

“I think the City Council is aware of the students and is trying to involve students,” he said.

Wade added that it was important for the committee to have proposals ready before summer ended. “I’m glad we were able to get some things done before school started.”

Biegel, whose constituency includes the Third Ward, said he feels it is too premature to make any judgments about the developing parking plans, but he has at least one idea for a potential solution.

“I’m in favor of a parking ramp behind Hibbard,” Biegel said. He added that by putting public parking closer to campus, off-campus students will be less tempted to park illegally.

Wade is less certain of the idea of a new parking ramp.

“I have a hard time believing that a parking ramp is the solution,” he said, adding that in a time of budget cuts, the cost of a parking ramp would probably fall to students.

Until the council comes to a decision on the committee’s proposals, students and neighbors will have to live with the current system.

Ultimately, the goal is to eliminate tensions that exist between the parties. Wade said he hopes that the committee eventually will be able to do so.

“I hope that it really helps the Third Ward,” he said, “and students work through some of the parking problems.”