cover
TO: Mayor Thomas J. Weisner
FROM: Lt. Mike Abbs # 912
DATE: August 4, 2015
SUBJECT:
Resolution authorizing a six year contract agreement with RedSpeed Illinois for their red light camera system and services.
PURPOSE:
To obtain the City Council’s approval of a proposed resolution that would authorize a six year contract agreement with RedSpeed Illinois for their red light camera system and services.
BACKGROUND:
The City of Aurora has had a red light camera system for selected intersections since 2009. Redflex Traffic Systems installed our system, and since installation we have contracted with them for all of our red light camera needs. The system encompasses five high-traffic intersections. The contract with Redflex is set to expire in September of 2015.
It was decided that the City of Aurora should explore alternatives to Redflex to see if a superior company had emerged since we started our red light camera program, or if Redflex was still the best company for our needs. The Request For Proposal process, RFP # 15-32, was initiated. Three vendors responded with proposals: Redflex, RedSpeed Illinois, and Gatso USA. A committee, comprised of Commander Ziman, Lt. Coronado (early in the process), Lt. Abbs (later in the process), Sgt Woods, Ofc. Talley, and Ofc. Daniele from the police Department, and Linda Read and Charles Koch from the Finance Department, was formed to assess the three proposals.
DISCUSSION:
Gatso USA was eliminated from consideration early in the process, as their proposal did not meet all of the requirements as spelled out in the RFP. Specifically, Gatso could not meet the requirement of a cost neutrality that would protect the City from the possibility of costs exceeding income from the red light camera program. The proposals from Redflex and RedSpeed both met the requirements. They also both had some features or aspects that were attractive or unique.
Ultimately, the committee decided that RedSpeed Illinois was the best choice for the City of Aurora’s red light camera needs for the following reasons:
-RedSpeed has superior video capabilities, as everything is recorded in video. RedFlex uses a combination of video and still images. 100% video results in reduced camera downtime, as there are no mechanical maintenance issues that can be associated with still images; a more useful tool for accident investigation and reconstruction; and the ability to extract a license plate picture when images generated by the camera are initially unclear, illegible, or obstructed.
-RedSpeed’s system does not produce a flash, as Redflex’s system does, because RedSpeed does not have still photo cameras. The flash has been a cause for complaints in the past, so overall complaints about the red light system should be reduced.
-RedSpeed provides superior administrative support, and their services would free up some of the traffic personnel’s time that is currently spent on the red light camera system. RedSpeed would set up court dates, handle all paperwork related to court requests, and maintain all violation video files, which are tasks currently handled by the traffic division. There would still be considerable time spent by traffic personnel with RedSpeed, as flagged violations need to be reviewed/verified, court still would need to be attended, and the court call would need to be coordinated with RedSpeed. Still, a considerable amount of time and work would be saved from the traffic division, freeing them up for other enforcement activity.
-Like Redflex, RedSpeed guarantees a cost neutrality for the City of Aurora. All of RedSpeed’s income related to the proposed City of Aurora project would come from the violator fines. There will be no up-front costs to the City of Aurora, nor any chance of Aurora losing money if violation occurrences were to drop to the point of our theoretical RedSpeed fees exceeding our income. We would not be required to pay anything to RedSpeed.
-RedSpeed’s technology would allow police personnel to access live viewing/streaming of the equipped intersections via building computers or mobile devices in HD quality. This could benefit the police department in its public safety and offender apprehension goals. Redflex is able to provide live viewing, but it is not in HD quality.
-RedSpeed has had no formal complaints or court filings against them.
It should be noted that there is an increased cost for RedSpeed due to their greater administrative services provided. It is estimated that the City of Aurora would receive at least approx. $70,000 less in revenue (based on 2014 numbers) than we would receive with Redflex with the same number of violations. However, with RedSpeed we would also expect to increase our total number of violations due to the superior video technology referenced above. This would offset the reduction in revenue somewhat. Also, and more importantly, we feel that the time savings that would be realized by APD traffic personnel would also offset this reduction in revenue. The revenue would continue to be accounted for in 101-3536-351-10.06, and fees/expenses would continue to be accounted for in 101-3536-421.45-86.
If approved, the contract with RedSpeed would necessitate a considerable changeover period where no red light system is in place. RedSpeed estimates this time to be at least 18 weeks from the contract inception.
The contract is for a period of six years, with two-year extensions available at the end of the six years. However, there is also a 60 day “out” clause that would allow the City to end the contract at any point with a 60 day notice.
IMPACT STATEMENT:
.
RECOMMENDATIONS:
The recommendation is that the City Council adopt the attached resolution that would authorize the six year contract agreement with RedSpeed Illinois for their red light camera system and services.
cc: Alderman O’Connor, Chairman
Alderman Mervine
Alderman Bohman
Alderman Mesiacos, Alternate
CITY OF AURORA, ILLINOIS
RESOLUTION NO. _________
DATE OF PASSAGE ________________
title
A Resolution .authorizing a six year contract agreement with RedSpeed Illinois for their red light camera system and services.
body
WHEREAS, the City of Aurora has a population of more than 25,000 persons and is, therefore, a home rule unit under subsection (a) of Section 6 of Article VII of the Illinois Constitution of 1970; and
WHEREAS, subject to said Section, a home rule unit may exercise any power and perform any function pertaining to its government and affairs for the protection of the public health, safety, morals, and welfare; and
WHEREAS, the red light camera contract with Redflex is set to expire in September of 2015, and
WHEREAS, it was decided that the City of Aurora should explore alternatives to Redflex to see if a superior company was available, and
WHEREAS, it was determined that RedSpeed Illinois was the vendor best qualified to meet the City of Aurora's red light camera needs, and
WHEREAS, like the former red light camera vendor, RedSpeed Illinois guarantees a cost neutrality so in the event that fees exceed revenue, the City of Aurora would not be responsible for paying anything to RedSpeed, and
WHEREAS, the revenue would be accounted for in 101-3536-351.10.06 and the fees/expenses would be accounted for in 101-3536-421.4586, and
WHEREAS, the contract would necessitate a considerable changeover period where no red light camera system is in place, and
WHEREAS, the contract is for a period of six years, with two-year extensions available at the end of the six years, and
WHEREAS, there is also a 60 day "out" clause that would allow the City of Aurora to end the contract at any point with a 60 day notice.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Aurora, Illinois, as follows: the City of Aurora is authorized to enter into the six year contract agreement with RedSpeed Illinois for their red light camera system and services.