Agenda Item No: K.6
AGENDA REPORT
DATE: July 15, 2025
TO: Mayor and Council
FROM: David Gassaway, City Manager
SUBJECT: Resolution 2025-152 PD PMAM False Alarm Program
Authorizing the City Manager to Execute a Services Contract with PMAM Corporation for the Outsourcing of the False Alarm Program
Funding Source: N/A
Contact: Dan Marshall, (707) 428-7374
RECOMMENDED ACTION
Adopt resolution.
STATEMENT OF ISSUE
The Police Department would like to contract with PMAM Corporation for outsourcing the false alarm program.
DISCUSSION
Since it was adopted, Chapter 10C of the city’s municipal code regarding Alarm Systems requires alarm users within the city to pay a registration fee bi -annually and charges alarm owners for excessive false alarms. This program began as a false alarm prevention program to encourage alarm users to closely monitor their usage, so false alarms do not occur and issues with equipment are fixed promptly. This prevents first responders from errone ously responding to false alarm calls and allows them to respond to more urgent matters promptly.
The Police Department currently utilizes CentralSquare Technologies for the outsourcing of the False Alarm Program. This includes billing, collection of payments, mailing renewals and responding to citizen inquiries. The current contract with Central Square is a profit share of 16% to CentralSquare and 84% going to the city. Our contract is up for renewal in September; and in the last year, we have seen a decline in the customer service provided by CentralSquare , along with a less than impressive collections process.
In March, the Police Department polled other local law enforcement agencies about the vendors they used for their program. The major companies that provide this service are CentralSquare, PMAM Corporation and Alarm Program Systems (APS).
With that information, we asked for quotes and demonstrations from the remaining vendors:
PMAM Corporation and A larm Program Systems. Between these two vendors and CentralSquare, they dominate the majority of the market for false alarm outsourcing.
After comparing several items, including customer service, collections process, profit-share split, and reference checks from current customers, PMAM Corporation stood out as the top contender. PMAM is the cheapest for the profit-share component (they will get a 14% share), is well-known and reputable among local agencies, has a dedicated internal collections unit th at works to ensure that payments are made, and prides themselves on customer service.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
This agreement allows for a revenue share, with 14% of fees collected going to PMAM and the remaining 86% going to the city. There are no out -of-pocket or up -front expenses for the city.
The contract is for two years and is renewable at that time. The estimated portion of the revenue share that PMAM is to earn is not to exceed $55,000 annually.
PUBLIC CONTACT/ADVISORY BODY RECOMMENDATION
N/A
ALTERNATIVE ACTION
None recommended.
COORDINATED WITH
Information Technology; City Attorney’s Office
STAFF CONTACT
Fabe Pariera, Police Support Supervisor
707-428-7374
[email protected]
ATTACHMENTS
Attachment 2: Proposed Resolution
Attachment 3: Proposed Agreement