TO: Mayor and City Council
FROM: Beth Beatty, City Manager
SUBJECT:
title
Purchase of License Plate Recognition Equipment from Minuteman Security Technologies, Inc in the amount of $56,738.26
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BACKGROUND:
The City of Joliet Parking Division staff has conducted research for the implementation and use of a Mobile License Plate Reader (LPR) system to improve parking enforcement efficiency. The LPR system uses specialized cameras that automatically read vehicles license plates, compares them to an internal database, and subsequently alerts parking enforcement officers to overtime violators. This automated Mobile LPR will also be utilized to enforce various parking regulations, including street parking, City owned parking facilities, and commuter parking lots. The Mobile LPR will identify vehicles which do not pay for parking, have multiple past due violations or similar infractions, and identify stolen vehicles and vehicles with multiple unpaid parking citations.
Staff established the below criteria for a Mobile LPR system:
• Interface with our existing commuter, surface lot, and street parking CALE/FlowBird pay station software and must be expandable for software upgrades
• Ability to upload/interface with the DACRA system currently used by the City for
enforcement and ticketing
• Proven success with other municipalities in the area
The City’s existing parking pay station maintenance company, Total Parking Solutions, advised staff about very successful deployments utilizing Minuteman Security Technologies, Inc.’s (Minuteman) Mobile LPR within the area. Minuteman meets all the established criteria, including successful installation by many local police agencies with similar parking situations. Additionally, The Department of Public Works, Police Department, and Department of IT have reviewed the proposed equipment and have determined that it meets the City’s needs and will integrate with existing City infrastructure.
The Public Service Committee will review this matter.
CONCLUSION:
Parking Division staff requested a quote from Minuteman for their mobile LPR system. Minuteman is currently the sole source provider for the mobile LPR system that integrates with the CALE/FlowBird and DACRA systems. The quote, in the amount of $56,738.26, includes the purchase of the LPR equipment, the labor to install the system, a five-year warranty, and the first year of the maintenance and LPR software subscription service. An annual licensing fee of $4,594.00 is required for the maintenance and LPR software subscription service.
Section 2-438 of the City of Joliet Code of Ordinances states that purchases over $25,000.00 may be awarded without written specifications or bidding under certain circumstances. Two (2) of these circumstances apply:
(a) Purchases which may only be practicably made from a single source;
(f) Purchases when authorized by a concurring vote of two-thirds (2/3) of the Mayor and City Council.
This purchase will be charged to the Parking Capital Improvement Fund / Furnishings & Equipment (Org 52190020, Object 557200, $56,738.26). The yearly subscription cost of $4,594.00 will included in future parking budgets.
RECOMMENDATION:
recommendation
Based on the above, it is recommended that the Mayor and City Council authorize the purchase of License Plate Recognition Equipment, in the amount of $56,738.26, on behalf of Minuteman Security Technologies, Inc.
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