TO: City Council DATE: July 14, 2025 DEPARTMENT: Police Department
PREPARED BY: Neil Cervenka, Police Chief
PRESENTER: Neil Cervenka, Police Chief
AGENDA TITLE: Receive Report and Consider Adoption of City Council Resolution Approving Budget Amendment No. 2025/26-XX and Acceptance of a Grant From the Cannabis Tax Fund Grant Program for the Purchase of an All-Electric Utility Task Vehicle and Special Detail Personnel Costs (Amount of $50,000, Account XXX-XXXX-XXXX)
RECOMMENDATION
Adopt the Resolution approving acceptance of grant for specialty vehicle purchase.
BACKGROUND
The Fort Bragg Police Department is responsible for patrolling Noyo Beach, the Coastal Trail, and other areas difficult to access with standard patrol vehicles. The FBPD currently owns a gasoline-run four-wheel off-road vehicle, however it requires special training and is stored away from the police department. Also, it is not practical for law enforcement operations.
DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS
During peak tourist times, our beaches have many visitors. FBPD officers often receive calls in these areas for crimes and medical calls. Reaching them has been problematic, resulting in delayed response times. Our current off-road vehicle is a standard quad and operates on gasoline.
Polaris produces an all-electric, all-terrain Utility Task Vehicle (UTV) specially outfitted for law enforcement, complete with emergency light bar, winch, roof, and roll-cage for officer safety. Based on current budgets, this vehicle was out of reach despite being the best tool for our needs and meeting City Council’s priority of transition to an EV fleet.
The Cannabis Tax Fund Grant Program (CTFGP) administered by the California Highway Patrol (CHP) is legislatively required to provide a portion of the Cannabis Tax to provide grants to law enforcement agencies for the purchase of vehicles, equipment, and staffing costs to reduce driving under the influence (DUI) collisions.
The FBPD applied for and was awarded a grant in the amount of $50,000, which will fully cover the cost of the Polaris UTV as well as provide a small amount for overtime costs of officers using the UTV in certain special events.
The range on the Polaris UTV is 80 miles and it can be charged at the Level 2 chargers at the Fort Bragg Police Department. Because of this, it can be quickly deployed in emergencies and provide a much quicker response to those difficult to access areas. This UTV will also be very beneficial with the development of the 500-acre reservoir property. Additionally, it will be used during the summer for regular patrols, allowing officers to more easily interact with the public on beaches and on the Coastal Trail. The intent of this vehicle and associated special event uses will be to contact intoxicated persons before driving, reducing arrests and collisions.
Another advantage will be during emergency operations as the Polaris UTV has a flat bed in the back, allowing for emergency transport of injured people. While Fort Bragg Fire Department has a similar vehicle, we will be a resource to them if there are multiple patients. In conversations with State Parks Police, this would be a benefit to them as well. They generally do not have specially equipped vehicles such as this immediately available.
Maintenance and operational costs of the UTV versus the existing gas quad are significantly less.
FISCAL IMPACT/FUNDING SOURCE
This will result in a positive fiscal impact.
ENVIRONMENTAL ANALYSIS:
The acceptance of the grant will allow purchase of an all-electric UTV replacing the current gasoline-operated ATV.
STRATEGIC PLAN CONSISTENCY
Goal 3: Strengthen Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness Goal 4: Enhance Public Spaces, Promote Recreation, and Cultivate Civic Pride Goal 5: Fund our Future with Financial and Fiscal Responsibility
COMMUNITY OUTREACH
Not applicable.
COUNCIL REVIEW AND RECOMMENDATIONS
Receive report and approve acceptance of CTFGP grant.
ALTERNATIVES:
Do not accept the grant and do not purchase the all-electric UTV.
ATTACHMENTS:
None.
NOTIFICATION:
None applicable.
AGENDA ITEM NO. 8C
CITY COUNCIL STAFF REPORT