DATE:
March 5, 2024
TO:
Mayor and Council Members
FROM:
Rachel Molina, City Manager
BY:
Jon Billings, Police Captain
Christine Kirby, Sergeant
SUBJECT:
Purchase of Automated License Plate Reader System
RECOMMENDED ACTION
It is recommended that the City Council authorize the City Manager to execute a purchase agreement with Vigilant Solutions in a not-to-exceed amount of $34,840 and adopt Resolution No. 2024-07 amending the Fiscal Year (FY) 2023-24 Budget to accept Homeland Security Grant (HSG) adjusted funds and appropriate funds to certain grant related expenditures for the purchase of one Automated License Plate Reader (ALPR) unit for a Sheriff’s patrol vehicle.
BACKGROUND
In an effort to enhance public safety, the Department of Homeland security offers a Homeland Security Grant (HSG). The Homeland Security Grant is a reimbursement grant, where the City must make the purchase prior to receiving reimbursement. The City learned in November of 2021 that it was awarded $23,730 to assist with the purchase of an ALPR system for one patrol vehicle. In January 2024 the City of Hesperia Police Department learned that the Department of Homeland Security adjusted the allocated funding amount by an additional $10,201, for a total grant award of $33,931.
ISSUES/ANALYSIS
The full cost of an ALPR system is $34,840. The unit with the camera system costs $26,440 with a five-year warranty of $8,400, totaling $34,840. The warranty covers software malfunctions with the system’s hardware and cameras; however, does not cover damage caused by traffic collisions.
The ALPR system has four cameras affixed to a single patrol vehicle and captures license plates of vehicles in front of the patrol vehicle, as well as the color of the vehicle, make and model and/or damage associated with the vehicle.
The ALPR technology serves two purposes: (1) as a post-crime investigative tool, such as determining the location of a suspect and (2) as a real-time license-plate alert system that compares license plates to the state law enforcement database of stolen vehicles, AMBER alerts (child abductions), and vehicles connected to missing persons. Should there be a vehicle flagged by one of the various databases, the Sheriff’s Department will be notified if a license plate read by the camera matches one in the databases.
To remain compatible with the County of San Bernardino, it is requested that the system be purchased through Vigilant Solutions as it is the sole source vendor used throughout the Sheriff’s Department.
City staff was notified that the City would be receiving the adjusted amount of $10,201 and a budget amendment is needed to accept and include these funds in the FY 2023-24 Budget.
FISCAL IMPACT
Funding for the project will require amending the adopted Fiscal Year 2023-24 Homeland Security Grant Budget, from $23,730 to $34,840. Staff is requesting approval from the City Council to increase Fund 100 Budget by $10,201 via Resolution 2024-07, as this ties to the grant amount increase from HSG. The remaining $909, for the total, $34,840, will be absorbed with the current Police Department budget.
ALTERNATIVE(S)
Provide alternative direction to staff.
ATTACHMENT(S)
Resolution No. 2024-07
City of Hesperia STAFF REPORT City of Hesperia STAFF REPORT City of Hesperia
STAFF REPORT
City of Hesperia
STAFF REPORT
Staff Report to the Mayor and Council Members
Purchase of Automated License Plate Reader System
March 5, 2024