Downtown parking ordinance almost changed

In another divided Havre City Council vote, the first reading of the ordinance detailing new downtown parking rules.

The new rules would reduce the area of enforcement for the existing two-hour parking limit, taking it in about a block in all directions.

The area limit would be enforced from the middle of 2nd Avenue to 4th Avenue, and from 1st Street to the south side of 3rd Street. The city would also be allowed to designate individual 15-minute parking spaces.

New signs marking off the zones and announcing the limits will be erected by the city.

Mayor Tim Solomon said the goal of the change...