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Rochester Hills shifts Bloomer Park to pay-by-phone parking, to install kiosks at two parks
Summary
Council approved changing Bloomer Park's daily entry to a ParkMobile $1.50-per-hour rate, clarified that annual passes remain valid, and authorized solar parking kiosks (three at Bloomer, one at Innovation Hills) with service for three years.
Rochester Hills — In a package of park-related actions, the City Council approved an ordinance amendment to change Bloomer Park's daily vehicle entry to a ParkMobile-style $1.50-per-hour rate and authorized the purchase and installation of four solar parking kiosks tied to the ParkMobile payment system.
Staff described the fee change as replacing Bloomer's longstanding $5 daily entry with a time-based $1.50-per-hour ParkMobile option (Innovation Hills already uses ParkMobile). Mr. Elward explained the move will standardize rates across new park entrances and that annual resident passes (the $35 resident annual pass) will remain valid and remain the best value for frequent visitors.
The council also authorized purchase of three kiosks at Bloomer Park and one at Innovation Hills, with installation and three years of ongoing service and support not to exceed $40,560. Staff said the kiosks are solar-powered, integrate with ParkMobile and accept credit-card payments and app payments. Funding for installation will come from green/solid-waste funds and budget adjustments noted by staff, and ongoing fees are budgeted within the three-year purchase authorization.
Mayor Barnett cited early Innovation Hills data showing resident permit usage rose and nonresident contributions increased, arguing the model helps recover costs while keeping resident access via annual passes. Councilmembers asked about solar reliability and spare options; staff said the vendor has long experience with solar kiosks and provides service agreements.
What comes next: Staff will implement ParkMobile kiosks and finalize pricing displays; Bloomer's new rate structure will be folded into code as part of the ordinance process.
