Submitted by: Reggie Bagley
Submitting Department: Administration
Agenda Section: Action
Item Title:
title
MPS Safety Stick Parking Technology
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Suggested Action:
recommendation
I move the Mayor and Council authorize the City Administrator to enter into a contract with MPS Solutions to install the Safety Stick parking technology at an identified area on Church Place upon legal review and approval.
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Summary Background:
The staff has been exploring no/low-cost parking systems to reduce spending and minimize the need to expand parking enforcement staff. We identified a no-cost system that we believe will increase safety and help identify and mitigate dangerous behaviors. We plan to pilot the MPS Solutions (Safety Stick) on Church Alley in the area near the Vigilante Coffee entrance.
MPS has agreed to install the sleek and compact solar-powered stick which stands 4ft tall and will provide 24/7 enforcement at no cost to the city. The stick is customizable and will produce reports allowing for the implementation of a grace period. It can also help reduce illegal parking by up to 95%. We will conduct outreach and evaluate the technology during the trial period to evaluate performance and consider whether it should be expanded to other areas throughout the city.
Next Steps:
Develop a multi-method public information and outreach plan to ensure that the residents and businesses are properly informed of this installation, how the technology works, the intended grace period, and the potential violations that will be addressed using this device.
Fiscal Impact:
The pilot, equipment and maintenance will be at no cost to the city. There may be increased mailing costs should the city elect to mail the citations rather than contract. This is still TBD. There will likely be an increase in revenues until driver/parking behaviors change.
City Administrator Comments: Recommend approval. This area has had ongoing parking challenges. Implementing smarter parking solutions on this site should minimize complaints, reduce alleyway congestion, change behaviors, and eliminate the need for constant oversight from parking staff. One additional advantage to this new system is that it will allow the staff to review and approve violations prior to issuing citations by mail.
Community Engagement:
Specific plan to be developed.
Strategic Goals:
Goal 3 - Promote a Safe and Vibrant Community
Legal Review Required?
Pending