AUBURN -- Could some local residents be able to purchase permits for parking in downtown Auburn?

That possibility came up Thursday during a city council work session on parking issues. City councilors discussed frequent complaints from citizens over the kiosks in hopes of finding a solution.

Perhaps the most common concern has come from elderly citizens, according to the council. People have to pay at a kiosk and then return the parking pass to their dashboard, and many people have a hard time walking that much.

And this is only summer.

"In the winter time, they will have to get out of their cars, go to the kiosk, and then walk back," Councilor Matthew Smith said. "It can be very difficult for them."

One possible solution -- a long-term parking pass for senior citizens that can be displayed on the vehicle -- had previously been offered by Smith. However, Auburn Police Chief Gary Giannotta told councilors during the meeting that determining a price for such an item would pose a problem.

And how many hours do seniors park in the downtown area over a year? How old should people have to be to qualify for a parking pass?

These are all questions that need to be answered before putting together a program. Even then, there could still be kinks to work out, Giannotta said.

"The only way we are really going to know if this works is by how many permits we sell," he said.

Auburn Mayor Michael Quill said city parking lots have kiosks that allow people to drive right up to them. Perhaps there could be another drive-up kiosk, he said.

"That solves a lot of problems," Quill said.

Daniel Schuster, director of the Downtown Auburn Business Improvement District, also pointed out that single meters were recently installed downtown at handicapped spaces. This may have alleviated some of the issues for people who physically can't get to and from a kiosk, he said.

Upon council's request, Schuster said he would conduct a survey of downtown business owners and visitors that will examine parking concerns.

"I don't think the city should try and do something too hasty," Schuster said.

For the full report, read Friday's edition of The Citizen.