Consideration and Approval of Contract:  Approval of Contract with Flowbird for Proprietary Parking Meter Payment Processing Software at $69,718 annually.  
 

City Council is being asked to consider approval of a contract with Flowbird, the sole provider of proprietary software integral to ParkFlag's parking meter operations.  

The parking program has relied on Flowbird since its implementation in 2017, under our original contract Flowbird provided both the pay-stations (parking meters) and the operating software.  City Council approved the original contract in 2017 through a national cooperative agreement between NCPA and Flowbird.  While this agreement has since expired, Flowbird has been awarded a Cooperative Contract through Omnia, and has agreed to maintain the same rate established under the original contract not to exceed the maximums set forth in the new Cooperative Contract.

It is essential to continue with Flowbird as its proprietary software is crucial to the functionality of our parking meters (pay stations).  Flowbird’s system enables secure and efficient payment processing directly through our pay stations, provides real-time data reporting to handheld devices for enforcement, and delivers comprehensive financial reporting through a centralized back-office system.  This back-office software is also vital for providing parking-related data used in monthly division reports, assisting partners, and in fulfilling requests from the City Manager’s Office

We are currently in year 8 of a 10-year financing agreement for the pay stations, this contract will ensure the parking system continues to function.

 

Project Name:Contract renewal with Flowbird Group
Cost: Contract totaling $139,536 for two years (Annual cost $69,768 breakdown: 102 kiosks with a subscription cost of $57 monthly)
Account Number Budgeted: 061-07-231-0891-6-4343
FY Budgeted Amount: $81,000
Grant Funded: N/A
Funding Source: ParkFlag Revenues

The City Council previously approved a 10-year financing agreement to acquire Flowbird pay stations and their accompanying operating software for the Downtown Parking District.  We are currently in year 8 of our 10 year financing agreement. 

Council may approve the agreement. 
Council may request staff pursue amendments to the contract, although since it is a Cooperative Purchase Agreement that will be challenging as the terms come from external contracts.
Council may not approve the contract and request staff to do a Request for Proposals for new software. This would have have significantly detrimental impact on ParkFlag operations and is not advised until after the financing term for the pay stations.  

The parking program has relied on Flowbird since its implementation in 2017, under our original contract Flowbird provided both the pay-stations (parking meters) and the operating software. City Council approved the original contract in 2017 through a national cooperative agreement between NCPA and Flowbird.  While this agreement has since expired, Flowbird has been awarded another Cooperative Contract through OMNIA, and has agreed to agreed to maintain the same rate established under the original contract not to exceed the maximums set forth in the new Cooperative Contract.

It is essential to continue with Flowbird as its proprietary software is crucial to the functionality of our parking meters (pay stations).  Flowbird’s system enables secure and efficient payment processing directly through our pay stations, provides real-time data reporting to handheld devices for enforcement, and delivers comprehensive financial reporting through a centralized back-office system.  This back-office software is also vital for providing parking-related data used in monthly division reports and in fulfilling requests from partners and the City Manager’s Office

We are currently in year 8 of a 10-year financing agreement for the pay stations, this contract will ensure the parking system continues to function.

The approval of the Flowbird contract ensures the functionality of downtown's parking payment system. The parking program aligns with Flagstaff’s PBB priorities by supporting sustainable infrastructure, promoting a safe and healthy community, boosting the local economy, fostering inclusivity, and encouraging environmental stewardship.

Provide sustainable and equitable public facilities, services and infrastructure systems in an efficient and effective manner to serve all population areas and demographics.
 

The Flowbird contract supports Flagstaff’s goal of achieving carbon neutrality by making parking more efficient, reducing the time drivers spend searching for spaces, and lowering emissions.  Additionally, it provides a user-friendly and accessible parking system that promotes sustainable transportation.

Parking management supports higher-density, affordable housing and promotes multimodal transportation while enhancing pedestrian safety through well-planned on-street parking.

Approval of the Flowbird contract will enable us to continue effectively managing public parking in downtown Flagstaff and surrounding neighborhoods.  This ensures the efficient use of our limited parking supply while supporting the city's long-term parking infrastructure needs.  Additionally, this infrastructure will sustain revenue growth, paving the way for future parking expansion..