CITY OF CARMEL-BY-THE-SEA

Council Report
June 2, 2015
To:

Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Council

From:

Douglas J. Schmitz, City Administrator

Submitted by:

Michael Calhoun, Director of Public Safety

Subject:

Resolution authorizing the City Administrator to execute an agreement for

the purchase of one License Plate Recognition (LPR) parking
enforcement system as identified as Capital Improvements in the FY
2015/16 budget $62,802.00 including sales tax and annual operating
costs.

RECOMMENDATION(S): Adopt the Resolution.

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY: The City began using License Plate Recognition (LPR) in 2007 to
improve parking enforcement and diminish the number of disputes with parkers. The LPR
system uses specialized cameras that automatically read vehicle license plates, compares
them to a database and subsequently alerts parking enforcement officers to overtime
violators. The system is also used to locate vehicles whose owners/users have lost the
location where they parked, identify stolen vehicles and vehicles with multiple unpaid parking
citations. The system has a high accuracy rate and is used by a number of other
municipalities.
ANALYSIS/DISCUSSION: License Plate Recognition is a critical component to the daily
operations of the Carmel Police Department parking enforcement operation and can be used
to enforce expired time limits either in a timed (electronic chalk mark) or paid permit system
which the City is testing as part of their parking pilot program. The system purchased in 2007
became outdated and was never replaced. The new model is more accurate identifying
violators and can be integrated with our current ticketing system, pay stations, and pay-byphone applications. The accuracy of the newer model has been improved which allows
enforcement officers to become more efficient at covering more areas of the downtown
parking. The City is currently testing this new system as part of the parking pilot program and
parking enforcement has reported positive results. City Council has allocated funding for the
purchase of a License Plate Recognition system in the FY 2015/16 Capital Improvement
budget.
The LPR system would be installed in one of the existing parking enforcement vehicles and
would include two cameras on the roof to capture the license plate numbers and tire position.
A touch screen monitor is in the cab and a computer is mounted in the vehicles trunk. The

Council Meeting Date: 6/2/15

Agenda Item: 7.F
Page 1

information is captured by the unit is downloaded via wireless technology to a server in the
police station.
The bidding process involved a request for estimates for the purchase of one Auto View LPR
Overtime System. Proposals were received from (1) PCS Mobile (Genetec) in the amount of
$62,802.00 and (2) Gtechna in the amount of $69,938.00. These are the only two vendors
who provide LPR systems for parking enforcement that have a proven track record for pay by
plate/pay by cell parking enforcement integration that are being recommended for
consideration. The City of Carmel by the Sea has been using Genetecs Auto View system
since 2007 and are currently testing their newer model as it is an integral component of our
parking pilot program.
The City Council could elect not to purchase the PCS Mobile System and continue with only
chalking tires to enforce parking time limits. Staff is recommending council approve the
purchase of the PCS Mobile System, the lowest bidder, as the LPR system increases the
efficiency and accuracy of identifying violators, offers pay by cell integration and addresses
Workers Compensation issues of chalking-related injuries and light duty assignments which
are common from traditional tire chalking enforcement. The current parking time limits signs
are marked for electronic enforcement which were updated in 2007 after council approved
using Auto view as part of their parking enforcement system.
FISCAL IMPACT:
PCS Mobile parking enforcement License Plate Recognition
(LPR)/Budgeted in the FY 14/15 as a Capital Improvement (Through bidding process)
Total Cost is $62,802.00 including sales tax and annual operating costs.
Budgeted (yes/no)
Yes- CIP Project POL 1314-03

Funding Source( general fund, grant,

state)
General Fund

PREVIOUS COUNCIL ACTION/DECISION HISTORY: Adopt the resolution and authorize

the City Administrator to execute an agreement for the purchase of one PCS Mobile License
Plate Recognition parking enforcement system. City Council has previously approved the
purchase of a parking enforcement LPR system in May 2007.
ATTACHMENTS: Resolution authorizing the purchase agreement.

APPROVED:

____________________________________
Douglas J. Schmitz, City Administrator

Date: ________________

Council Meeting Date: 6/2/15

Agenda Item: 7.F
Page 2

CITY COUNCIL
CITY OF CARMEL-BY-THE-SEA
RESOLUTION 2015A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
CARMEL-BY-THE-SEA AUTHORIZING THE CITY ADMINISTRATOR TO EXECUTE
AN AGREEMENT FOR THE PURCHASE OF A LICENSE PLATE RECOGNITION
(LPR) PARKING ENFORCEMENT SYSTEM AS IDENTIFIED AS CAPITAL
IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS IN THE FY 2014/15 BUDGET.
WHEREAS, the Police Department has made recommendations for Capital
Improvements in the FY 2014/15 budget for the replacement of a license plate
recognition (LPR) parking enforcement system; and
WHEREAS, the Capital Improvements for the Police Department include the
purchase of one LPR system identified as GPS License Plate Recognition (POL-131403) ; and
WHEREAS, bids for the purchase of the police vehicles were received and the
lowest responsive bidder was determined; and
WHEREAS, The purchase of the listed equipment will replace old outdated
equipment; and
WHEREAS, The Capital Improvements were accepted in the FY 2014/15 budget;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED THAT THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE
CITY OF CARMEL-BY-THE-SEA DOES:
1.

Authorize the City Administrator to execute the purchase of a License Plate

Recognition system as part of the FY 2014/15 Capital Improvement Plan in
an amount not to exceed 62,802.00 including sales tax and annual
operating costs.

PASSED AND ADOPTED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF CARMELBY-THE-SEA on this 8th day of October 2013 by the following roll call vote:
AYES:

COUNCIL MEMBERS:

NOES:

COUNCIL MEMBERS:

ABSENT:

COUNCIL MEMBERS:

SIGNED:

ATTEST:

_______________________________
Jason Burnett, Mayor

____________________________
Lee Price, MMC, Interim City Clerk

Council Meeting Date: 6/2/15

Agenda Item: 7.F
Page 3