Rotorua Lakes Council considers outsourcing parking services

Rotorua Lakes Council is considering outsourcing its parking services - including the maintenance and policing of meters.

At a Rotorua Lakes Council operations and monitoring committee meeting yesterday, infrastructure manager Stavros Michael presented a report on infrastructure operations for July 13 to August 16.

As part of his presentation Mr Michael said the council had received six "offers" for parking services.

The council invited proposals for the funding, installation, operations, and maintenance of parking equipment and the possible provisions of enforcement as well as prosecution logistics and services.

Councillor Merepeka Raukawa-Tait asked whether City Safe Guardians would remain with the council.

Mr Michael said at this stage the role was being undertaken by parking enforcers and that City Safe Guardians would stay with the council.

In a written statement prior to the meeting, Mr Michael said a potential partnership arrangement would result in cost efficiencies for the council.

"With parking equipment such as meters and pay and display machines needing to be modernised, now is a good time to consider how else we might be able to provide these services and we have put out a "request for proposal" to test the market," he said.

"It's envisaged that if the council were to go this way, a longer term contract would be entered into in the first instance and that the contract would include all aspects of public parking, including supply of technology and associated services like administration and enforcement."

Now the tenders have been received a recommendation will be drafted for the council's consideration, which is expected next month.

"No decision has been made as yet," Mr Michael said.

Mr Michael also shared a video outlining the proposed Water Restoration Land Contact Bed and the treated wastewater release point option, which have been designed using Maori knowledge (Matauranga Maori).

"We have a unique blend of culture in Rotorua," he said.

"The new design recognises the bicultural expectations of our community."

This Sunday a hui is being held at Te Papaiouru for Ngati Whakaue to have their say on the designs.

Potaua Biasiny-Tule commented on the video saying that while rangatira were happy with the changes it was important to engage rangatahi who are the future of the community.

There was also discussion about the difficulty employers were having finding staff, despite an increase in job seekers and unemployment in the district.