Jill Schramm/MDN A driver uses the exit of the Central parking ramp Wednesday.

Fee policies for Minot’s downtown parking ramps could get another review in light of concerns raised by downtown merchants.

David Lakefield, city finance director, said the item isn’t listed on next week’s council agenda at this point, but at least one council member has raised questions about options so further discussion is a possibility.

On Feb. 6, the council voted to eliminate parking fees in the Renaissance ramp on April 1. The decision was made because the city wants to make the ramp available at no charge to city employees who will be moving into the new downtown city hall in April. No change was made for the Central ramp, where hourly, daily and monthly fees would remain in effect.

Denise Lindbo, owner of Gourmet Chef, said it seems unfair for businesses that use the Central ramp to pay fees while businesses that use the Renaissance ramp no longer will be charged.

“We are extremely happy that city hall is coming downtown. We just think it’s fair if both ramps get free parking,” she said. As a renter in the Renaissance ramp, she said, she also has questions about how her business and employees might be impacted if no longer getting guaranteed parking in a free parking structure.

Debbie Harris, owner of Fiancee, said the city’s new policy is a double-edged sword because while parking will be free in the Renaissance ramp, there also won’t be funds collected for maintenance. The city had reported collecting about $37,400 a year in fees from the Renaissance ramp that were used to maintain the structure.

“Ultimately, it costs the city money and it’s part of the budget,” Harris said. “I don’t want the taxpayers to have to pay more money again.”

Harris said she also would like the city to allow businesses to purchase passes that can be used by customers, which currently isn’t an option because rented parking spaces must be linked to a particular individual. The lack of weekend parking enforcement for time limits on streets also is a problem because it encourages downtown employees to take those street spots that otherwise could be used by customers, she said.

Chad Wright, president of the Minot Downtown Business & Professional Association, said the association is taking a wait-and-see stance for the immediate future regarding the city’s new parking fee policy at the Renaissance ramp. Downtown merchants will be watching to see what actions the city takes in coming weeks and how the new free parking ultimately works, he said.

“We are kind of letting that play out,” Wright said. “We want to see what else is going to change because we feel this may just be the beginning.” He mentioned access to a public restroom at city hall and improvement in downtown snow removal among the areas of potential future discussion with the city, along with parking policies.