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AGENDA RECOMMENDATION |
Consent Calendar 6.B.
City Council Regular Meeting
- Meeting Date:
- 05/12/2025
Agenda Item:
Resolution accepting feasibility report, ordering project for Capital Improvement Project 11050; Parking Control Equipment Replacement, and authorizing the City Manager to enter into a contract with T2 Systems through the Sourcewell Cooperative Purchasing agreement.
Recommendation/Action(s):
Adoption of the attached resolution.
Summary:
Staff have been working with Walker Consultants over the last several years to identify a replacement plan for the existing parking access control equipment currently utilized by the Downtown Parking Special Service District. Access control is currently located within four (4) of the existing parking structures, including the Civic Center Ramp, Mankato Place Ramp, City Center Ramp, and Second Street Ramp. The equipment ranges in age from 9 to 13 years and is at or has exceeded its useful life.
Given the introduction of new parking control technology since the previous replacement, staff determined that a review of available technology would be the appropriate course of action rather than a simple replacement with like equipment. With the help of Walker Consultants, staff reviewed multiple different management approaches in addition to the different technological solutions. Two (2) options were developed based on site visits to Sioux Falls, SD and La Crosse, WI. These locations have similar parking demands and customer bases to Mankato, including transient parking, contract or reserved stall parking, validated customer parking, and hotel parking.
Reviewed Options
The first option studied was the replacement of the system with similar gated equipment and few changes to the overall management. The operation of the system would not deviate from current practice but would include updated technology with better reporting features. The benefits of a similar replacement system are continued interoperability with our enterprise security access control system and the ability to physically manage access to the parking structures via gated technology. The customer interface and experience would remain relatively unchanged with customers either presenting a credential or taking a ticket upon entry. Upon exit, the customer would have to again produce a credential or present the original ticket as well as payment.
The second option studied was a gateless environment utilizing “pay by plate” technology and integrating advanced management software, allowing for a customer portal online to manage their parking needs in addition to an optional mobile app for payment. Pay stations would be located at strategic locations within ramp stairwells. The customer experience would change and there would be no physical barriers to entering or exiting the parking structures. The customer would need to register their license plate and pay in advance via the on-site stations or the mobile app. Enforcement would be performed with mobile license plate readers mounted on an existing city vehicle. Staff would be required to drive through the ramps on a regular schedule to ensure consistent enforcement.
Staff are recommending moving forward with option 2 or a gateless system. The advantages of a gateless system include an increased level of customer service and ease of use by the end user. Currently, equipment failures result in customers being stuck behind the gate system until a staff member can get onsite and regularly cause backups during peak times and large events in the city center. Another advantage of advanced technology is multiple options for payment and management of reserved parking directly by the end user. Throughout the process of researching alternatives, there were several gaps identified in the current parking control access application process with opportunities for staff to increase responsiveness and communication with the applicant. The support technology identified as the recommendation would allow for a seamless application process with notifications to the end user at each step of the workflow.
Funding for the proposed improvements is shown in the table below. The project was budgeted for in the 2023 Capital Improvement Plan with additional funding budgeted in the 2024 Capital Improvement Plan. A budget amendment will be executed prior to the start of the project to utilize the previously budgeted funds which were restricted in the capital funds for this project.
Staff recommends the Council accept the project feasibility report and authorize the City Manager to enter into an agreement with T2 Systems, Inc. through the Sourcewell Cooperative Purchasing Agreement.
Given the introduction of new parking control technology since the previous replacement, staff determined that a review of available technology would be the appropriate course of action rather than a simple replacement with like equipment. With the help of Walker Consultants, staff reviewed multiple different management approaches in addition to the different technological solutions. Two (2) options were developed based on site visits to Sioux Falls, SD and La Crosse, WI. These locations have similar parking demands and customer bases to Mankato, including transient parking, contract or reserved stall parking, validated customer parking, and hotel parking.
Reviewed Options
The first option studied was the replacement of the system with similar gated equipment and few changes to the overall management. The operation of the system would not deviate from current practice but would include updated technology with better reporting features. The benefits of a similar replacement system are continued interoperability with our enterprise security access control system and the ability to physically manage access to the parking structures via gated technology. The customer interface and experience would remain relatively unchanged with customers either presenting a credential or taking a ticket upon entry. Upon exit, the customer would have to again produce a credential or present the original ticket as well as payment.
The second option studied was a gateless environment utilizing “pay by plate” technology and integrating advanced management software, allowing for a customer portal online to manage their parking needs in addition to an optional mobile app for payment. Pay stations would be located at strategic locations within ramp stairwells. The customer experience would change and there would be no physical barriers to entering or exiting the parking structures. The customer would need to register their license plate and pay in advance via the on-site stations or the mobile app. Enforcement would be performed with mobile license plate readers mounted on an existing city vehicle. Staff would be required to drive through the ramps on a regular schedule to ensure consistent enforcement.
Staff are recommending moving forward with option 2 or a gateless system. The advantages of a gateless system include an increased level of customer service and ease of use by the end user. Currently, equipment failures result in customers being stuck behind the gate system until a staff member can get onsite and regularly cause backups during peak times and large events in the city center. Another advantage of advanced technology is multiple options for payment and management of reserved parking directly by the end user. Throughout the process of researching alternatives, there were several gaps identified in the current parking control access application process with opportunities for staff to increase responsiveness and communication with the applicant. The support technology identified as the recommendation would allow for a seamless application process with notifications to the end user at each step of the workflow.
Funding for the proposed improvements is shown in the table below. The project was budgeted for in the 2023 Capital Improvement Plan with additional funding budgeted in the 2024 Capital Improvement Plan. A budget amendment will be executed prior to the start of the project to utilize the previously budgeted funds which were restricted in the capital funds for this project.
| ITEM | COST |
| Equipment Replacement and Installation | $78,582 |
| Permitting & Enforcement Technology | $69,473 |
| New Signage | $75,000 |
| Education Campaign | $25,000 |
| TOTAL CONSTRUCTION | $248,055 |
| Construction Contingency | $24,806 |
| Consultant Fee | $60,000 |
| TOTAL PROJECT COST | $332,861 |
| FUNDING SOURCE | AMOUNT | PERCENT |
| Parking Capital | $332,861 | 100% |
| TOTAL FUNDS | $332,861 | 100% |
Staff recommends the Council accept the project feasibility report and authorize the City Manager to enter into an agreement with T2 Systems, Inc. through the Sourcewell Cooperative Purchasing Agreement.