Smart Parking & Mobility Management Plan: Pay by Plate Multi-Space Meter System Request Copyrighted
June 1, 2026
City of Dubuque ACTION ITEMS # 4.
City Council
ITEM TITLE: Smart Parking & Mobility Management Plan: Pay by Plate
Multi-Space Meter System Request
SUMMARY: City Manager recommending authorizing the Transportation
Services Parking Division to select a vendor from the
proposals submitted to the RFP to replace the outdated on-
street meters in the downtown area and also, install
equipment for our surface lots as part of the Smart Parking &
Mobility Management Plan Development and Implementation
Project.
SUGGUESTED Receive and File; Approve
DISPOSITION:
ATTACHMENTS:
1. MVM Memo - Smart Parking & Mobility Management Plan_Pay by Plate Multi-
Space Meter System Request
2. Memo to Council PbP MSM 5-28-26
3. Public Input
Page 957 of 1000
Dubuque
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TO: The Honorable Mayor and City Council Members
FROM: Michael C. Van Milligen, City Manager
SUBJECT: Smart Parking & Mobility Management Plan: Pay by Plate Multi-Space
Meter System Request
DATE: May 27, 2026
Director of Transportation Services Ryan Knuckey is recommending City Council
authorize the Transportation Services Parking Division to select a vendor from the
proposals submitted to the RFP to replace the outdated on-street meters in the
downtown area and also, install equipment for our surface lots as part of the Smart
Parking & Mobility Management Plan Development and Implementation Project.
The Parking Department estimates the PbP MSM System will cost $1,400,000-
$1,650,000 depending on proposals submitted. Funds will come from the Smart Parking
System Capital Improvement Project with a current balance of$1,831,964.
City staff recommends moving forward with the selection of a vendor from the proposals
submitted to the RFP for the Pay by Plate Multi-Space Meter (PbP MSM). The end
solution must also be able to integrate with the Mobile License Plate Recognition
Enforcement (Mobile LPR) System RFP for Parking Enforcement Officers (PEOs) and
be able to fully integrate with AIMS, our parking management software.
Specifically, the PbP MSM System RFP contains project drawings that identify the
location of the MSMs:
- It is estimated the city would potentially purchase up to two hundred and forty-
eight MSMs to be installed along streets in the downtown metered district for on-
street parking.
- Thirteen MSMs will be installed in the following surface lots:
o Fourth & Central Lot (1 MSM)
o Ninth & Elm Lot (1 MSM)
o Eleventh & Elm Lot (1 MSM)
o Twelfth & Elm Lot (2 MSMs)
o Third & Locust Lot (1 MSM)
o Third & Main Lot (1 MSM)
o Twelfth & Central Lot (1 MSM)
o Eleventh & Bluff Lot (1 MSM)
o Fifth & Bluff Lot (2 MSMs)
Page 958 of 1000
o Port of Dubuque Lot (2 MSMs)
■ A final kiosk number will be reviewed with the vendor to confirm
adequate spacing. The 248 Kiosk recommended would be the
maximum.
I concur with the recommendation and respectfully request Mayor and City Council
approval.
v
Mic ael C. Van Milligen
MCVM:sv
Attachment
cc: Crenna Brumwell, City Attorney
Cori Burbach, Assistant City Manager
Ryan Knuckey, Director of Transportation Services
Jenny Larson — Chief Financial Officer
Gus Psihoyos - City Engineer
Joe Pregler - Chief Information Officer
Jill Connors - Economic Development Director
Russ Stecklein - Operation Supervisor— Parking Division
Antonio Mouzon - Office of Community Impact Director
Justine Hull - Traffic Engineer
Jim Bousley - Project Manager
2
Page 959 of 1000
Dubuque
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TO: Michael C. Van Milligen - City Manager
FROM: Ryan Knuckey— Director of Transportation Services
SUBJECT: Smart Parking & Mobility Management Plan: Pay by Plate Multi-Space
Meter System Request
DATE: May 22, 2026
INTRODUCTION
The purpose of this memorandum is to request City Council approval to allow
Transportation Services Parking Division to select a vendor from the proposals
submitted to the Request for Proposal (RFP). The Proposals are to replace our
outdated on-street meters in the downtown area and install equipment for our surface
lots as part of the Smart Parking & Mobility Management Plan Development and
Implementation Project.
BACKGROUND
The Dubuque Main Street, Central Avenue Corridor areas and Historic Millwork District
make up a majority of the core downtown business district in Dubuque. Having
convenient, available parking in downtown Dubuque is a concern for many local
employers, property developers, and residents. A lack of available parking spaces can
lead to employees, customers, tenants, and homeowners walking undesirable distances
between open parking spaces and their final destinations.
The City is seeking to implement holistic transportation solutions to provide a positive
customer experience that financially supports the system, from customer point of origin
to point of final destination, which also minimizes travel time. Implemented solutions will
maximize existing city mobility and parking assets and resources, leverage best in class
parking and smart transportation technology, and identify future opportunities for
efficiencies.
The guiding principles developed for the Smart Parking & Mobility Management Plan
Development include:
• Parking is a key ingredient for keeping the downtown economically viable.
• Parking needs to be a partnership between the public and private sectors.
Page 1 of 3
Page 960 of 1000
• Fair and accessible mobility solutions are one of the core components of a
community' s livability because it provides access to living wage jobs, healthcare
services, quality education, cultural institutions, and recreation opportunities.
• Parking access and any updated policies need to meet the needs of a diverse
group of users.
• Parking must be fully integrated with Transit and other forms of transportation
system mobility in order to maximize efficiencies and customer experience.
• Parking and transportation mobility is not free, and an updated revenue fee
structure needs to be established.
• Parking and mobility solutions need to utilize the most up to date technology and
must be simple to use and manage across all platforms.
• To the maximum extent feasible, parking, and subsequent modes of travel to
final points of destination must feel safe for customers.
• A business strategy that works in a post-pandemic environment needs to be
developed.
A work session took place in City Council chambers on May 4th to discuss the results of
the RFP along with other comparable cities. Comparable cities included multiple cities
in lowa along with other Midwest cities comparable in size. The comparisons showed
the differences in approaches and managing parking in the downtown areas.
During the work session, the topic of potential "free time" was discussed as an approach
by other cities including Waterloo having the first hour free. The Kiosk and Mobile App
system will be able to accommodate this need if this process is recommended when the
new equipment is installed. The Mobile LPR system will be able to enforce this process
also.
City staff recommended moving forward with interviewing and purchasing a Kiosk
System along with Mobile Parking App to make the City of Dubuque's Parking process
more efficient along with allowing for multiple approaches in maintaining and regulating
parking in Dubuque's downtown.
DISCUSSION
City staff recommends moving forward with the selection of a vendor from the proposals
submitted to the RFP for the Pay by Plate Multi-Space Meter (PbP MSM). The end
solution must also be able to integrate with the Mobile License Plate Recognition
Enforcement (Mobile LPR) System RFP for Parking Enforcement Officers (PEOs) and
be able to fully integrate with AIMS, our parking management software.
Specifically, the PbP MSM System RFP contains project drawings that identify the
location of the MSMs:
- It is estimated the city would potentially purchase up to two hundred and forty-eight
MSMs to be installed along streets in the downtown metered district for on-street
parking.
- Thirteen MSMs will be installed in the following surface lots:
o Fourth & Central Lot (1 MSM)
Page 2 of 3
Page 961 of 1000
o Ninth & Elm Lot (1 MSM)
o Eleventh & Elm Lot (1 MSM)
o Twelfth & Elm Lot (2 MSMs)
o Third & Locust Lot (1 MSM)
o Third & Main Lot (1 MSM)
o Twelfth & Central Lot (1 MSM)
o Eleventh & Bluff Lot (1 MSM)
o Fifth & Bluff Lot (2 MSMs)
o Port of Dubuque Lot (2 MSMs)
■ A final kiosk number will be reviewed with the vendor to confirm
adequate spacing. The 248 Kiosk recommended would be the
maximum.
RECOMMENDATION
It is recommended that the City Council allows Transportation Services Parking Division
to select a vendor from the proposals submitted to the RFP to replace our outdated on-
street meters in the downtown area. Also, install equipment for our surFace lots as part
of the Smart Parking & Mobility Management Plan Development and Implementation
Project.
BUDGET IMPACT
The Parking Department estimates the PbP MSM System will cost $1,400,000-
$1,650,000 depending on proposals submitted. Funds will come from the Smart Parking
System Capital Improvement Project (CIP) (4683000005) with a current balance of
$1,831,964.
ACTION TO BE TAKEN
I respectfully request City Council authorization to select a vendor from the proposals
submitted from the PbP MSM System RFP. Transportation Services Parking division
will bring a final selection for City Council approval.
cc: Jenny Larson — Director of Finance & Budget
Gus Psihoyos - City Engineer
Joe Pregler - Chief Information Officer
Jill Connors - Economic Development Director
Russ Stecklein - Operation Supervisor— Parking Division
Antonio Mouzon - Office of Community Impact Director
Justine Hull - Traffic Engineer
Jim Bousley - Project Manager
Page 3 of 3
Page 962 of 1000
Trish Gleason
From: Stephanee Fetzner-Johnson <sfetzner34@gmail.com>
Sent: Saturday, May 30, 2026 8:44 AM
To: Mike Van Milligen
Subject: Parking meters
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Dear City of Dubuque,
I am writing to share my concerns regarding downtown parking enforcement and the impact it has on those of us who
want to support local businesses.
Recently, I received a $15 parking ticket after my meter expired by approximately five minutes while shopping and having
lunch downtown. While I understand the need for parking regulations,the experience left me feeling frustrated. I don't
frequent downtown often, partly because of this, so I am not great at being prepared for meters and keeping track of
time; I have received 3 parking meter tickets in the last few years-one was because I was a few minutes late coming out
of a medical appointment another because I the client I was working with ran over by a short amount of time. It's very
discouraging.
The City has invested significant effort into promoting and revitalizing downtown Dubuque, encouraging residents to
shop local and support small businesses. However,the current parking system can create unnecessary stress for visitors.
Not only do I need to ensure I have enough change available for the meter, but while spending money at local
businesses, I am also worried about watching the clock to avoid a citation.
Frankly,this makes me reconsider future trips downtown.As a consumer, I have many alternatives. I can shop online or
visit businesses on the west end where parking is free and I don't have to worry about carrying quarters or rushing back
to my vehicle.
I encourage the City to consider options such as a short grace period, easier mobile payment solutions, or other
customer-friendly parking policies that support the goal of attracting people downtown rather than discouraging them
from visiting.
I appreciate the City's efforts to create a vibrant downtown and hope my feedback can contribute to making it an even
more welcoming place for residents and visitors alike.
Thank you for your time and consideration.
Sincerely,
Stephanee Johnson
1
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