Title
Recommendation to Authorize the Interim City Manager, or Designee, to Execute a One Year Agreement with IPS Group, Inc. for Single Space Parking Meter 4G Upgrades for an Amount Not to Exceed $182,000. (Public Works 26541642)
Body
To: Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Council
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Since 2015, the City of Alameda (City) has used IPS Group, Inc. (IPS) parking meter mechanisms at all of its over 820 single-space metered locations. Due to technology advances, these meters must be upgraded to be 4G compatible to remain operational and continue cellular transmission for software and payment functionality. City Council approved the budget for this item as part of the Fiscal Year 2022-23 mid-cycle budget update. Staff recommends City Council authorize the Interim City Manager, or designee, to execute the proposed agreement with IPS Group Inc.
BACKGROUND
In 2014, the City Council approved a variety of recommendations to improve and modernize the City’s paid parking program, including a pilot of IPS single space "smart" parking meter mechanisms. In June 2015, following the successful conclusion of the pilot program, the City Council approved the purchase, installation and ongoing maintenance and management of IPS meter mechanisms at over 820 single-space parking meter locations in Alameda.
DISCUSSION
Due to technology advances over the past years, Alameda’s meters must be upgraded to be 4G compatible to remain operational and continue cellular transmission for software and credit card payment functionality.
The upgrade involves removing and sending Alameda’s meter mechanisms to IPS’s California facility for upgrade of the internal meter modem. Given that upgrading the existing IPS equipment is specialized work, staff selected IPS on a sole source basis as the existing equipment vendor. Staff also recommends IPS staff assist Alameda with the removal and replacement of mechanisms to ensure speedy delivery of the project and reduce any meter downtime for Alameda’s parkers.
The upgrade must be complete by the end of calendar year 2022 for functionality of Alameda’s meters to continue. City Council approved the budget for this item as part of the Fiscal Year 2022-23 mid-cycle budget update.
ALTERNATIVES
• Authorize the Interim City Manager to execute the one-year agreement to upgrade Alameda’s single-space meters to 4G.
• Do not authorize execution of this agreement and do not proceed with the 4G upgrades, this option would result in Alameda’s meters no longer functioning after 2022.
• Direct staff to explore different options for the 4G upgrades and report back to City Council.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
The funds for this contract are currently budgeted in the Parking Fund (265) for Fiscal Year 2022-23. This project is a one-time expenditure not to exceed $182,000 over the course of the coming year.
MUNICIPAL CODE/POLICY DOCUMENT CROSS REFERENCE
This action is consistent with the Alameda Municipal Code.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
In accordance with California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), this project is categorically exempt from further environmental review pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15301 (Existing Facilities).
CLIMATE IMPACT
An effective parking program helps move parking off-street, thus freeing up on-street spaces for business district patrons while reducing circling for parking which increases congestion in the district, vehicle emissions, and wear and tear on the roadway. Maintaining an up-to-date parking program with functioning infrastructure helps eliminate these impacts and is consistent with the 2014 City Council approved parking occupancy goal of 85%.
RECOMMENDATION
Authorize the Interim City Manager, or designee, to execute a one-year agreement with IPS Group, Inc. for single space parking meter 4G upgrades for an amount not to exceed $182,000.
Respectfully submitted,
Erin Smith, Public Works Director
By,
Liz Acord, Public Works Coordinator
Financial Impact section reviewed,
Margaret O’Brien, Finance Director
Exhibit:
1. Agreement
cc: Nancy Bronstein, Interim City Manager