Parking authority approves $33,200 increase to Flash Par Connect purchase order after installation change orders

The Norwalk Parking Authority voted in April to increase a purchase order by $33,200 to cover change orders for the recently installed Flash Par Connect parking system.

Brian asked the board to approve the additional funds, saying the change orders covered 10 unbudgeted bollards, removal of an old booth on Bates Court, and unforeseen conduit work discovered during installation. Brian told the board that when installers began digging at the train station they found the expected conduit “was nonexistent,” requiring additional conduit routing.

Brian also reported early operational results from the new equipment. He said staff “served over 5,000 transient customers, and there were absolutely no traffic backups that we used to experience,” adding the installation and staffing produced a smoother customer flow during a busy week.

The original system contract, which the board approved in November for about $581,000, had included a contingency; Brian said the authority remains under its approved capital allocation and that the purchase order increase is necessary to process the vendor change-order invoices. He asked the board to approve the increase now so staff can close the invoices.

Commissioner Matt moved to approve the increase; the motion was seconded and approved by voice vote. Board members asked staff to email the change-order detail to commissioners. Brian said operational tweaks with the vendor would continue for another two weeks before final sign-off on the project.

The vote was taken as a voice vote; the board recorded “all in favor, aye.” No individual roll-call votes were read into the record.