Council approves cloud-based parking access system for three garages at $298,181

The York City Council voted to authorize purchase of a cloud-based parking access and revenue control system for the city’s three public parking garages at a cost of $298,181.

Councilwoman Betsy Buckingham introduced Resolution 55, which authorizes the city to buy the replacement system from PSX under CoStar pricing. Vice President Muskingham and other council members asked how the procurement was handled and whether the expense was budgeted; Business Administrator Robertson said the purchase used CoStar’s purchasing program and did not require a separate RFP. Robertson said the current vendor’s system is reaching end-of-life and the upgrade will provide cloud access, pay-and-scan exits, improved call-center integration and redundancy options including cellular backups.

Robertson said the purchase is budgeted in the capital fund (Fund 50) within a parking project line that totals nearly $2 million for the year; she confirmed that funds are available for the $298,181 purchase. Council members also asked whether the new system would directly link payments into the city’s financial system; Robertson said receipts are currently reconciled by the treasurer’s office but that the new system does not directly post to the general ledger.

Council members said the system should reduce outages that in recent months limited garage operations. Robertson said because the new system will be cloud-hosted and the city is adding Internet redundancies, similar outages should be less likely.

The council approved the resolution on roll call.