JACKSONVILLE BEACH, Fla. -- The Vonclausburgs are what you would call Jacksonville Beach regulars.
"When it's not cold we come down every single weekend and once in a while during the week when we have a day off," Michele Vonclausburg said.
They say the way it is now, parking isn't really a problem.
"I think it's actually fabulous. Now that they've redone the roads and everything else, it's perfect," Michele said.
"You just pull right in, park, jump on your bikes and go," said Steve Vonclausburg.
But not everyone sees it as simply, including Jacksonville Beach Mayor Charlie Latham.
"This has been a long process, and we've got a long way to go," Latham said.
He says when parking was once free, things turned into a "free-for-all" on the beach.
Currently, beachgoers must pay to park Friday through Sunday. Latham says many people complain about the system, especially local business owners who feel it hurts their bottom line.
So, parking took a front seat at Monday night's city council meeting.
In a vote of 5-2, the city chose to continue the paid parking program until it can hash out a more permanent plan, which will include a pilot validation program for all retail merchants at the beach.
"The overall objective is to create the best possible parking scenario for residents, for businesses, and for visitors," said Latham.
The paid parking will remain in effect during daylight-saving time (March 10- November 3).
City Council also approved a plan for the Jacksonville Beach police department to take over the security for the parking lots when paid parking is enforced. The city will also be replacing the big orange barricades along the beach with a movable gate system.
