DATE: August 20, 2024
TO: Mayor and City Council
FROM: Chief of Police
SUBJECT: Adopt a Resolution Authorizing the Interim City Manager to Appropriate and Transfer $40,000 in Abandoned Vehicle Abatement Revenue from the General Fund to the Fleet Capital Fund for the Outfitting of Two Ford Explorers Used for the Abandoned Vehicle Abatement Program
RECOMMENDATION
That the Council adopts a resolution (Attachment II) authorizing the interim City Manager to appropriate and transfer $40,000 in revenue from the Abandoned Vehicle Abatement (AVA) Program from the General Fund (100) to the Fleet Capital Fund (736) for the outfitting of two (2) Ford Explorer Hybrid Interceptors to be used for the AVA program.
SUMMARY
In April 2022, the Hayward Police Department (HPD) requested Council authorization to appropriate and transfer AVA funds to the Fleet Capital Fund to purchase two Ford Explorer Hybrids and outfit them with the proper equipment and decals. Due to inventory shortages, the cost of the vehicles increased by the time the vehicles were available for purchase. The City of Hayward is now in possession of the vehicles, but the Fleet Division needs an additional $40,000 from the AVA funding to outfit the vehicles with the necessary equipment and decals.
BACKGROUND/DISCUSSION
The HPD’s Abandoned Vehicle Abatement (AVA) unit tows vehicles that have been abandoned on city streets as well as private property. Abandoned vehicles have long been an issue in the city and has been the source of numerous citizen complaints. The vehicles are towed under specific laws outlined in the California Vehicle Code (CVC). The program currently receives funds from Alameda County Abandoned Vehicle Abatement Authority (ACAVAA) which are solely authorized for the HPD’s AVA salary and benefits and the purchase of equipment related to the costs of vehicle abatement in the City of Hayward. On 11-28-21, the ACAVAA authorized the purchase of two 2022 Ford Explorer Hybrid Vehicles for the HPD’s AVA program.
In April 2022, the HPD requested Council authorization to appropriate and transfer AVA funds to the Fleet Capital Fund to purchase two Ford Explorer Hybrids and outfit them with the proper equipment and decals. Due to inventory shortages, the cost of the vehicles increased by the time the vehicles were available for purchase. The City of Hayward is in possession of the vehicles, but the Fleet Division needs additional funding to outfit the vehicles with the necessary equipment and decals. Staff is requesting the appropriation and transfer of $40,000.00 from the AVA Program within the General Fund to the Fleet Capital Fund.
The AVA funds that are provided to the HPD allow the department to allocate the proper resources to address abandoned vehicles in the City. The department has been using the Ford Explorers as the primary vehicle in the Patrol Division for several years. Getting the two additional AVA Explorers outfitted and out into service would allow the department to have two dedicated vehicles for the sole purpose of vehicle abatement.
FISCAL IMPACT
In Fiscal Years 2021-2024, ACAVAA awarded the Hayward Police Department $747,188.34 of which $484,003.69 was expended, leaving a balance of $263,184.65. To fully outfit the vehicles, a transfer and appropriation of $40,000 is required to complete the outfitting of the two dedicated vehicles.
STRATEGIC ROADMAP
This agenda item is a routine operational item and does not relate to any of the six priorities outlined in the Council’s Strategic Roadmap.
NEXT STEPS
If the Council approves the attached resolution, staff will transfer $40,000.00 from the General Fund to the Fleet Capital Fund to be appropriated for the outfitting of the two Ford Explorers.
Prepared by: Laura Gomez, Senior Management Analyst
Recommended by: Bryan Matthews, Chief of Police
Approved by:
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Dustin Claussen, Interim City Manager