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~;,YO, City Council Report
Santa Monica
City Council Meeting: November 9, 2010
Agenda Item: .~~~
To: Mayor and City Council
From: Carol Swindell, Finance Director
Subject: Pay-On-Foot Machines for City Parking Facilities
Recommended Action
Staff recommends that City Council authorize the City Manager to award a sole source
purchase order to Sentry Control Systems Inc., in an amount not to exceed $1,180,000
for seventeen Ski Data pay-on-foot machines at City parking facilities.
Executive Summary
The 2009 Walker Parking Study identified a series of improvements to downtown
parking operations to increase both the efficiency and effectiveness of the program
including the installation of automated payment equipment. The installation of
automated payment equipment in structures 7 and 8 resulted in reduced exit wait times,
better revenue control and a more positive customer experience. The purchase of
additional automated payment equipment at a cost of $1,180,000 will further the City's
goals to improve parking operation and is expected to save approximately $450,000 per
year in parking operator contractor staffing costs.
Background
Currently, the City operates twelve off-street parking facilities in the downtown and Civic
Center area. Since 2000, the City has purchased a Ski Data payment system for
parking structures and the Civic Center lot and Digital Payment Technology pay-by-
space machines for City parking lots. The use of the two systems provides Parking
Operations staff the ability to consolidate reporting and revenue control functions and
implement related operations recommendations found in the 2009 Walker Parking
Study.
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Discussion
The downtown parking structures and Civic Center parking locations are currently
equipped with Ski Data parking equipment and a limited number of pay-on-foot
machines that only accept credit cards. Parking Structures 7 and 8 are equipped with
fully automated, multi-function pay-on-foot machines that accept both cash and credit
cards. The successful implementation of the automated parking system in Parking
Structures 7 and 8 has allowed staff to test the operations of fully automated facilities.
The equipment purchased as part of this action will provide for the automation of all
downtown and Civic Center parking facilities with machines that accept cash, credit
card, and other payment mechanisms the City may implement in the future.
The successful transition to an automated parking- payment system will allow the
parking facilities to be operated on a 24/7 basis, as reflected in the Council adopted
parking rates, and will eliminate the staffing .now required at exit points. Parking
customers will have the option to pay parking fees at several pay-on-foot machines
within the structures or upon exit. As a result of improved egress traffic, vehicle traffic
flow throughout the garage would improve for those entering. The transition to an
automated payment facility would provide an enhanced experience for visitors and
residents.
Vendor Selection
The Ski Data system was selected as part of a competitive process in 2000. Sentry
Control Inc. is the exclusive Ski Data parking access and revenue control equipment
authorized distributor in West Coast. The City currently has Ski Data systems and pay-
on-foot machines in 12 locations and only Ski Data pay-on-foot .machines are
compatible with existing equipment components. The system will also increase the
efficiency of the operations and maintenance of the equipment; parking operation staff
will be able to program and operate the machines remotely for all. off-street parking
facilities in a centralized control office. This will ensure the public has a consistent
parking experience and .allows the City to produce consolidated parking reports.
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Compatibility of these new machines with existing inventory is of paramount
consideration.
Financial Impacts & Budget Actions
The purchase order to be awarded to Sentry Control Systems is $1,180,000. Funds are
included in the FY10-11 budget in the following accounts:
Account: 0774058.589000 (Downtown Parking Automation) Amount: $895,000
Account: 0774057.589000 (Civic Center Parking Automation) Amount: $285,000
Total: $1,180,000
Funds for ongoing maintenance will be requested in each annual budget cycle for
council approval. The automation of the downtown and Civic Center structures is
anticipated to save $450,000 per year in parking operator labor costs.
Prepared by: Frank Ching, Parking Coordinator
Approved:
Carol Swindell
Director, Finance Department
Forwarded to Council:
Rod Gould
City Manager
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