Hollidayburg Borough Council is considering the purchase of parking management software for the downtown.

Council’s Parking Committee has been evaluating options, and has recommended JustPark, whose electronic system would enable motorists to pay parking charges and fines through the company’s smart phone app, which would be free for users to download.

Downtown has parking meters, which could remain for now in a hybrid system, but they’ve become obsolete, given that they’re not manufactured anymore, and parts are hard or impossible to get — even as many downtown users would prefer the flexibility enabled by an electronic system, especially for adding payments to extend parking time, according to Borough Manager Ethan Imhoff.

Borough personnel would enforce parking rules using an iPad that could track both designated spots on the street and vehicle license plates, which would indicate prior unpaid fines.

The iPad would be coupled with a ticket-printing device carried by the officer.

The company would charge the borough a $2,300 annual licensing fee.

It would also assess a $4 fee for each parking citation, paid by violators.

The borough could sign a three- to five-year contract with the company.

When they park their cars, motorists would input on the app the street space their vehicle occupies, while noting how long they expect their car to remain.

Fifteen minutes before their time expires, the system sends an alert, so users can electronically add time.

Currently in Hollidaysburg, that sort of situation requires users to go back out to their cars to add coins to the meter — or risk getting a fine.

The fine, however, is just $5, so some elect to pay it.

Hollidaysburg’s parking fine is tied for the lowest level among approximately 10 municipalities listed on a graphic displayed at a council meeting Thursday.

Councilman Jeff Ketner suggested raising the fine under the proposed new system to $15.

The company’s processing fee would add $4 to that amount.

There could also be adjustments to the borough’s initial charge for parking.

It’s best to strike a balance, according to one official.

Ultimately the goal for virtually all downtown parking systems is to turn over parking spaces for the benefit of both businesses and their patrons, according to Imhoff.

Parking should be expensive enough that during busy times, about 20 percent of spaces are open, Imhoff said.

If the cost to park and the fines for violations are too high, motorists are discouraged from patronizing downtowns altogether.

If the costs or fines are too low, motorists — especially business employees and downtown residents — are incentivized to park all day and simply pay the fines, which eliminates spaces that could be used by business patrons and those whose visits are brief.

Big Boy coming to town

Hollidaysburg will play host to the world’s largest operating steam locomotive in July — the Union Pacific’s Big Boy, according to Imhoff.

It is scheduled to be in Philadelphia for July 4, to help the historic city celebrate the nation’s 250th — but Hollidaysburg will be its first stop after that on its way back home to Cheyenne, Wyoming, according to borough and online sources.

While in Hollidaysburg from July 8 to 11, it will be parked at the Everett Railroad facility, according to Imhoff.

He was told to expect 30,000 visitors per day during that stretch, Imhoff said.

“The Big Boy coming to town is a big deal for everybody,” said Mayor Chad Repko.

The engine weighs 1.2 million pounds, can generate 7,000 horsepower and can travel up to 80 mph, according to online sources.

Mirror Staff Writer William Kibler is at 814-949-7038.