Item No. 7
Town of Atherton
CITY COUNCIL STAFF REPORT – CONSENT AGENDA
TO: HONORABLE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL
GEORGE RODERICKS, CITY MANAGER
FROM: STEVEN D. MCCULLEY, POLICE CHIEF
DATE: DECEMBER 20, 2023
SUBJECT: APPROVAL FOR ACCEPTANCE OF A ONE-TIME $125,000
DONATION TO THE POLICE DEPARTMENT FOR THE
PURCHASE OF MOTOROLA PORTABLE RADIOS; APPROVAL
FOR THE ACCEPTANCE OF A $250,000 ($50,000 PER YEAR FOR
5 YEARS) DONATION, WHICH WOULD FUND OVERTIME FOR
ANNUAL ALL DEPARTMENT PERISHABLE SKILLS TRAINING
AND FUND A NUTRITIONAL SUPPORT PROGRAM AS PART OF
THE POLICE DEPARTMENT'S OVERALL WELLNESS
PROGRAM
TOTAL DONATION APPROVAL AMOUNT: $375,000
RECOMMENDATION
Approve and accept the $375,000 donation from two Atherton residents for the purchase of 15 portable police radios for a total cost of $125,000, and fund overtime for annual police training and funding of a nutritional support program, as part of the police department’s overall wellness program, over a five-year period at $50,000 per year for a total of $250,000.
BACKGROUND
Radio Upgrade:
The Atherton Police Department (APD) portable radios are over ten years old, outdated, and reaching the end of their useful life. The radios are non-digital and single band, limiting modern police communications and interoperability with other agencies. The $125,000 donation will fund 15 new portable radios, with an additional 15 needing department funding. Tri-band radios enhance communication interoperability, improving officer safety and signal quality.
Training Funding:
Police training is critical for officers/staff to maintain important perishable skills, increasing team Donation Acceptance
DECEMBER 20, 2023
readiness and officer safety. Annual police training is conducted on overtime at a cost of $25,000.
The $25,000 per year donation for five years would enable a second annual session, enhancing team building, morale, and maintaining perishable skills.
Wellness Program Support:
Healthy nutrition options are crucial aspects of APD’s wellness program. A $25,000 annual donation for five years will fund a nutritional support program, providing healthy meals, snacks, and drinks to APD staff daily.
FISCAL IMPACT
Approve and accept the $375,000 donation from two Atherton residents to support overall police department operations as outlined in the staff report.
GOAL ALIGNMENT
This Report and its contents are in alignment with the following Council Policy Goals:
• Goal Area B – Preserve Small Town Character and Quality of Life • Goal Area E – Strengthen Community Engagement and Transparency
POLICY FOCUS
Correcting the coverage gaps within the jurisdiction improves safety for both the residents and the officers. Updating the radio system reception footprint provides safety for the officers when traveling outside the jurisdiction.
The Atherton Police Department will continue to focus on and support high quality training, up to date policies/procedures, transparency, and accountability, to ensure a high level of profession, progressive, and unbiased policing, in order to provide the highest level of safety and security services for the residents we all serve.
Police officers, like anyone else, can benefit from a healthy and balanced diet to maintain their physical and mental health.
PUBLIC NOTICE
Public notification was achieved by posting the agenda, with this agenda item being listed, at least 72 hours prior to the meeting in print and electronically. Information about the project is also disseminated via the Town’s electronic News Flash and Atherton Online. There are approximately 1,200 subscribers to the Town’s electronic News Flash publications. Subscribers include residents as well as stakeholders –to include, but be not limited to, media outlets, school districts, Menlo Park Fire Protection District, service provides (water, power, and sewer), and regional elected officials.
Donation Acceptance
DECEMBER 20, 2023
COMMISSION/COMMITTEE FEEDBACK/REFERRAL
This item has not been before a Town Committee or Commission
ATTACHMENTS
None.