Proposed Partnership for Downtown Parking Sensorswx MEETING DATE: 08/19/14
ITEM NO:
� COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT
� s sA`os
DATE: AUGUST 7, 2014
TO: MAYOR AND TOWN COUNCIL
FROM: GREG LARSON, TOWN MANAGER
SUBJECT: PROPOSED PARTNERSHIP FOR DOWNTOWN PARKING SENSORS
A. PROVIDE INPUT AND FEEDBACK TO STAFF ON NEGOTIATIONS FOR
A PARTNERSHIP TO INSTALL PARKING SENSORS DOWNTOWN
B. DIRECT STAFF TO BRING BACK A NEGOTIATED AGREEMENT
RECOMMENDATION:
1. Provide input and feedback to staff on negotiations for a partnership with Streetline, Inc.
to install parking sensors downtown.
2. Direct staff to bring back a negotiated agreement.
BACKGROUND:
Parking in the downtown continues to be a challenge, especially during peak times of the day.
The Council has set a Strategic Goal for staff to facilitate a privately -led effort to "address
options for the downtown parking supply ". Efforts on this front continue with various potential
solutions for addressing the issue under discussion. The topic has been addressed by a coalition
of interested parties in the downtown and is a priority for the Transportation and Parking
Commission consistent with this Strategic Goal.
DISCUSSION:
Recently staff began discussions with Streetline, a new company based in Foster City that
provides in- pavement parking sensors. The product uses wireless technology to communicate
with the sensors and, through a free online application (app), provides information on where
unoccupied parking spaces are available to the public, providing improved customer service and
real time data to assist the Town in future Downtown planning.
The Technology
Streetline installs sensors that resemble large hockey pucks in the pavement at each parking
space. The sensors are installed flush with the pavement and are black, so they are unobtrusive.
In addition, Streetline installs a network of repeaters in strategic locations, often on light poles.
These repeaters gather the information from the individual sensors in real time and relay that
PREPARED BY: MATT MORLEY Director of Parks
an d Public Works
Reviewed by:l:�Assistant Town Manager Town Attomey-EL[A—Finance
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AUGUST 7, 2014
MAYOR AND TOWN COUNCIL
SUBJECT: PROPOSED PARTNERSHIP FOR DOWNTOWN PARKING SENSORS
DISCUSSION (cont'd):
data to the Streetline servers. The sensors themselves provide the data on when the space is free
or occupied.
The end user, through a free downloadable app, identifies their destination within the area
serviced. The destination can be a business or other physical address, or a point on the map. The
app integrates with current mapping solutions, such as Google Maps, to provide hands free voice
guided directions to the available parking nearest the final destination.
This type of technology can provide benefits in several ways. Primarily, it reduces the amount of
time a visitor to the downtown must drive around looking for parking availability. This has the
added benefit of reducing the environmental impact of these vehicles. In addition, the data
collected from the sensors can provide invaluable, extremely granular data to the Town in
substantiating the need for additional parking or providing key information on where
underutilized parking may exist. As an example, the data could be queried to provide
information on the amount of available parking from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. on Friday
afternoons, a time when parking is known to be at a premium. Staff sees this availability of data
as a significant upside to the project and a great way to drive outreach and parking projects in the
future.
Partnerships
In the initial evaluation of the feasibility of this project, Streetline provided a quotation for a
downtown solution including initial one -time costs in excess of $250,000 and annual ongoing
costs exceeding $160,000. Staff was clear with Streetline that, although the product and solution
are interesting, this type of investment would not be something that could be supported within
existing appropriations.
Since that time, Streetline has brought forth an alternative financing solution. This solution
brings a third partner to the table and provides full installation and ongoing subscription at no
cost to the Town. hi exchange for this no -cost installation of parking sensors and repeaters, the
Town would participate in a partnership program involving promotion and sponsorship as part of
the Town's downtown parking program. Streetline is working with over 60 companies in this
program including vehicle manufacturers and various national companies to provide funding for
parking sensor implementation and is having similar discussions with other cities both locally
and nationwide. The Town would work with Streetline to select corporate partners for the
partnership, including local companies who may wish to be involved. Potential examples of
such partnership activities include promoting corporate partners through inclusion in Town
sponsored events (Attachment 1 provides examples), on the Town website, and through press
conferences at the roll out. The Town would ultimately work with Streetline to outline a plan
that is acceptable to the Town, and Streetline would market that to its partners. The Town could
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AUGUST 7, 2014
MAYOR AND TOWN COUNCIL
SUBJECT: PROPOSED PARTNERSHIP FOR DOWNTOWN PARKING SENSORS
DISCUSSION (cont'd):
also provide guidelines to what type of sponsors would be acceptable and would have
the ultimate right of approval on both the sponsorship and the marketing.
Streetline would like to bring the Los Gatos opportunity to potential partners. In order to do
so, the company needs Town Council support of the concept. This will drive up the interest
level with potential sponsors, but in no way obligates the Town to proceed with the
project. If sponsors are found and a more specific proposal is made, an agreement would
be prepared between the Town and Streetline for Town Council consideration.
Transportation and Parking Commission and Downtown Parking Focus Group
Staff provided an overview to the Town's Transportation and Parking Commission on
this technology. The use of technology aligns with the priorities of the Commission and
the Council's Strategic Goal. The Commission unanimously supports pursuing this
technology. In addition, staff presented the concept to those private partners who have
been attending the Downtown parking meetings, focused on parking solutions in light of
Parking Assessment District sun setting in 2013. This group, too, supported pursuing the
technology and was optimistic about the positive impact it would make on Downtown
parking while providing real time data for further consideration.
CONCLUSION:
It is recommended that the Town Council provide input and feedback to staff on potential
negotiations for a partnership to install parking sensors downtown and direct staff to return
with a negotiated agreement.
ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT:
This is not a project as defined under CEQA.
FISCAL IMPACT:
No expenditures are required as a result of this action.
Attachment:
1. Potential Partnership Ideas
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Potential Partnership Ideas
Staff conducted a brainstorming session to develop ideas that might work in advancing the
partnership. These ideas are outlined below.
None of these ideas are required, but rather provide potential ideas for partnerships.
Print logo and website on tickets for downtown events
o Partnership with Visitor's Bureau, Los Gatos Music and Arts
• Wine Walk
• Music in the Park
• Jazz on the Plazz
o Holiday Tree Lighting
• Participate in a case study on the implementation
• Conduct a joint press conference for the app rollout
• Facilitate posters for merchant windows
• Link to the app on the Town website
• Provide information in new resident kits
ATTACHMENT 1
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