STAFF REPORT TO THE CITY COUNCIL
DATE: Regular Meeting of June 27th, 2023 TO: Mayor and Members of the City Council VIA: Dante Hall, City Manager SUBMITTED BY: Joseph Vasquez, Chief of Police
SUBJECT: Appropriation for Homicide Vehicle Storage Fees RECOMMENDED ACTION:
Staff recommends that the City Council:
Receive the staff report on this issue;
Ask any clarifying questions of staff; and
Take comments from the public; and
Adopt a resolution amending the General Fund FY 2022-23 Budget for Police Department increasing its appropriation by $42,350 for the vehicle storage fee related to a homicide investigation.
BACKGROUND:
On April 5, 2020, Hercules Police Officers responded to a reported vehicle that crashed into a tree on southbound San Pablo Ave near Tsushima. Officers arrived and located a 2015 Lexus GS 350 fully engulfed as it was wrapped around a tree. The driver of the vehicle had suffered several injuries and was located nearby laying on his back on top of the center median. Once the fire was extinguished, it was determined there was another subject deceased seated in the front passenger seat of the Lexus. The driver was ultimately charged with vehicular manslaughter and Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol Causing Great Bodily Injury or Death.
ANALYSIS:
The Lexus was towed to Civic Center Towing, Transport and Road Service and placed on an evidence hold. After a search warrant was issued and executed, the Contra Costa County District Attorney’s Office requested we keep the Lexus until the case had been adjudicated so that the defense had an opportunity to reexamine the vehicle if requested. The case was officially adjudicated on April 27, 2023, and at that time the Hercules Police Department was cleared to release the evidence hold on the Lexus.
The daily storage rate for the Lexus was originally $75 per day. The Lexus was stored for a total of 1117 days for a total of $83,775 in storage fees. In addition, there were charges of $462.50 for two trucks (2.5 hours total) that initially responded to the scene including a flatbed and a wrecker truck. These fees brought the grand total amount due to $84,700. After receiving the original invoice, we were able to negotiate a 50% reduction in the amount due to $42,350.
FISCAL IMPACT OF RECOMMENDATION:
There is a $42,350 anticipated fiscal impact required to pay these fees. There are sufficient funds in the General Fund to absorb the cost of vehicle storage. Although these incidents do not occur often, we are taking the necessary steps to avoid paying these rates for this service. We are in the process of securing the same service at a rate of $10 per day and hope to sign an MOU soon.
ATTACHMENTS:
Resolution
Original Invoice from Civic Center Towing, Transport and Road Services Updated Invoice from Civic Center Towing, Transport and Road Services