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Finance Committee approves retroactive purchase of modern ticket vending machine for Community Connector
Summary
The Finance Committee granted retroactive approval for a $132,816 ticket vending machine for the Community Connector, citing accessibility upgrades and modern payment options; staff said one unit has already been ordered because of long lead times.
The Finance Committee on Oct. 21 approved retroactive authorization for a $132,816 ticket vending machine purchase for the Community Connector.
Staff told the committee the original machine, purchased in 2017 with Community Development Block Grant funding and overseen initially by Republic Parking, had become outdated and unreliable. Staff said the new vendor, Ventec, offered a machine with audio and braille accessibility, and modern payment options including Google Pay, Apple Pay and chip cards. Staff also said Ventec could refurbish the existing machine for about $4,000, leaving the city with two machines that could be deployed to a second location if needed.
Because of potential long lead times, staff said one machine was ordered before committee approval. A councilor asked when the machines would arrive; staff said the new unit was expected within weeks and that Ventec would refurbish the older unit when on site to install and train staff.
A motion to retroactively approve the purchase was made, seconded and approved “without any objection,” according to the meeting transcript.
The committee record shows funding was available and staff will proceed with installation and placement decisions by Community Connector staff. No further action was recorded at the committee level beyond the approval noted.
