CC - Agendas - City Council - STUDY SESSION - 3/16/2010

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F34 COUNCIL AGENDA MEMO - 03/16/10 & 03/23/10 DEPARTMENT: Parks, Recreation & Library AGENDA ITEM: Purchase and Installation of Automated Parking Fee Collection Kiosks Date: Department Head: Debbie Horton Finance Director: Mark Woodfill City Manager: Steve Norwood IC:3 / Backaround: Parks and Recreation currently use the honor system to collect the $2 parking fee in place at Watson Lake, Willow Lake and Goldwater Lake. Fees at Watson & Willow Lakes were implemented in 2006 after completing grant-funded multi-million dollar improvements. Goldwater Lake has had the parking fee system in place since their grant-funded improvements were completed in the mid-70's. The "honor" collection system is ineffective and estimates are that one in ten cars pay the required fee. With the installation of a Kiosk at each of these locations, users will have every avenue for payment available, including debit and credit cards as well as cash and coin. Machines feature easy to read full color screens, theft-proof design, real-time credit card processing, complete audit control, and real-time alarming. Lake users will place receipt dispensed by machine on the dash of their vehicle, and Park Ranger Volunteers will be utilized to enforce compliance. Applicable city codes will be amended to allow Rangers to issue parking citations for non-compliance. Certified Rangers will be authorized by Police Chief Kabble after required testing, and that department will conduct necessary training. The Police Department will also be utilized to assist in retrieving cash from Kiosks on an as needed basis and will make deposits on behalf of Parks & Recreation. Parking revenue for the three lakes totaled $68,405 in FY09. Annual parking passes are also available to frequent users that prefer a one-time payment to the city. Beginning on March 12, 2010, employees funded through AARP will man the lake entrance booths on weekends to provide an element of customer service and answer questions about the new system. These employees are funded 20 hours per week for a full year. Brochures will be dispersed informing the lake user of all available amenities. The use of these employees on busy weekends will reduce the need for weekend Ranger patrols as their presence will ensure fees are paid, before and after the installation of the Kiosks. Funding for this purchase is budgeted at $75,000. Bids received allow for the purchase 33. of a fourth machine if Council so desires. It is recommended that the fourth machine be