On the agenda: Great Falls meeting — license plate recognition (Sep 17)

Agenda
Great Falls
Parking Advisory Commission
Building Safety and Planning & Zoning Conference Room
#2 Park Drive South Suite 112
Tuesday, September 17, 2026 3:30 PM
The agenda packet material is available on the City’s website: https://greatfallsmt.net/meetings
Public participation is welcome in the following ways:
• Attend in person.
• Provide public comments via email. Comments may be emailed before noon on Thursday,
September 17, 2026, to [email protected]. Include the agenda item or item number in the
subject line, and include the name of the commenter and either an address or whether the
commenter is a city resident. Written communication received by that time will be shared with the
Parking Advisory Commission and appropriate City staff for consideration during the agenda item
and before the final vote on the matter. It will be so noted in the official record of the meeting.

Opening Meeting:
1. Call to Order – 3:30 PM
2. Roll Call
Inge Buchholz - Chair
Seth Swingley – Vice Chair
Carol Berg
Shirstie Gaylord
Amiee Lennox
Ex-Officio Member:
Kellie Pierce
3. Recognition of Staff
4. Approval of Meeting Minutes – September 1, 2026
Old Business
5. Continued discussion of the pending Parking RFPs. Decision?
Public Comment
Adjournment

Parking Advisory Commission
Minutes of the September 1, 2026 Meeting
Vice Chair Seth Swingley called the Parking Advisory Commission meeting to order at 10:05 A.M.
in the Conference Room of the Planning and Zoning Division and the Building Safety Division.
Members Present:

Seth Swingley, Vice Chair
Shirstie Gaylord
Amiee Lennox –
Kellie Pierce – Ex-Officio

Members Absent:

Inge Buchholz, Chair
Carol Berg

Staff Present:

Brock Cherry, Strategic Development Officer
Lonnie Hill, Planning and Zoning Division Manager
Jeremy Jones, Deputy City Manager
Melissa Kinzler, Director of Finance
Jamie Nygard, Sr. Administrative Assistant
Mark Wilmarth, Development Coordinator

Others Present:

Tena Grigsby, SP Plus Metropolis, Kelly Altman, Linda Michaels Salon,
Jenn Rowell, the Electric Via Zoom

Meeting Minutes:

Mr. Swingley asked if there were any comments or corrections to the
August 20, 2026 Parking Advisory Commission meeting minutes. Seeing
none, Ms. Gaylord motioned to approve the minutes, and Ms. Lennox
seconded.
All in favor, the motion passed

Vote:
Old Business

Continued discussion of the pending Parking RFPs, including any new or updated
information provided by the submitters,
The Commission continued its discussion regarding the pending parking Requests for
Proposals (RFPs), including additional information and questions submitted to potential
vendors.
Mr. Jones reported that one set of questions from the Commission had been received and
forwarded to SP Plus. The questions primarily concerned the availability and functionality of a
mobile parking application. A response from SP Plus had not yet been received, but additional
follow-up would occur.
Mr. Jones also reported on research into integrating PayByPhone with parking garage systems.
He contacted a DESIGNA representative to determine whether its parking garage technology
could integrate with PayByPhone. The representative indicated that the systems can be
integrated.
The proposed system could allow users to pay for parking through multiple methods, including:
•

Mobile application

Parking Advisory Commission
September 1, 2026 Meeting Minutes
2

•
•
•
•

QR code
Text-to-pay
Telephone
Web-based payment

The system could also integrate license plate recognition (LPR) technology across the
downtown parking system and parking garages. This would allow a vehicle's license plate to be
recognized whether the customer was parking at a curbside location, in a surface lot, or in a
garage.
Mr. Jones discussed how LPR technology could be used at garage entrances and exits.
Depending on the system selected, physical modifications to the garage may be required,
including concrete work to establish equipment islands or the installation of sensors within the
pavement.
Garage System Options and Costs through PaybyPhone
Mr. Jones reported receiving preliminary pricing for two potential garage system configurations.
Option 1 – Fully Integrated Automated Garage System
The first option would provide a fully automated garage system integrated with PayByPhone.
Customers would be able to use PayByPhone as the payment method when entering and
exiting the garages. The system would incorporate LPR technology and automated lanes.
The preliminary hardware cost provided was approximately $157,835, with additional warranty
options available. The proposal contemplated purchasing the downtown parking system outright
rather than leasing the equipment, thereby allowing the City to own the hardware.
Option 2 – Integrated System with Traditional Payment Option
The second option would provide the same LPR and automated garage functionality while also
allowing customers who do not use a mobile application or QR code payment to pay using a
more traditional method.
Under this option, a customer could enter the garage, and the LPR system would capture the
license plate. Upon exiting, the system would identify the vehicle and display the amount owed.
The customer could then pay with a credit card at the exit.
Monthly and annual parking subscribers could also be recognized by their license plates,
enabling the system to process their entry and exit automatically.
The preliminary cost for this option was approximately $246,442.
Mr. Jones indicated that the information and pricing received would be forwarded to the
Commission for review.
The Commission discussed the options, how the parking program operates, and the fee
difference between SP+ and PaybyPhone.
Mr. Jones recommended a follow-up meeting to delve deeper into the systems involving SP+
and PaybyPhone.

Parking Advisory Commission
September 1, 2026 Meeting Minutes
3

Mr. Peterson wanted a spreadsheet comparing the costs of both companies.
Ms. Kinzler stated that she would work on a spreadsheet containing the information the
Commission is requesting and send it out to everyone.
Ms. Gaylord stated that if TIF were approved for the hardware purchase, it would help inform
the decision. Mr. Brown asked whether TIF dollars would need to be approved before the
parking program contract. Ms. Kinzler stated that TIF approval would be sought first through the
Super TIF Committee. Because there is only so much money available through the TIF, the
Commission needs to determine the priority. Mr. Hill stated that the entire package should be
presented together for the TIF request.
Mr. Peterson inquired whether the concrete work that would need to be done at the garages
would be included in the RFP submitted by PaybyPhone. Mr. Jones responded that it was not
included and would cost roughly $100,000.00.
Ms. Kinzler reviewed the transaction fees between SP+ and PaybyPhone, and there was a
discussion about the different fees.
Mr. Jones stated that both SP+ and PaybyPhone have validation programs.
Mr. Swingley inquired about the FY27 budget and how it was projected. Ms. Kinzler responded
that the budget, when finalized, was based on current capabilities, not on what the new system
will be.
Mr. Peterson asked that monthly revenues for different transactions be included in the
spreadsheet that will be sent out.
Mr. Jones stated that more revenue will be captured with new signage and garage security.
Mr. Peterson inquired about revenue and said he would support keeping the side-street parking
at $1.00. Mr. Hill responded that the side streets are still at $1.00 because the meters cannot
adjust fees any higher.
Mr. Jones stated that the Montana Department of Transportation will attend the next Parking
Advisory Commission meeting on September 17, 2026, to speak about angled parking on 5th
and 6th Streets.
Public Comments
None.
Adjournment
There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 10:51 A.M.