City Council Agenda Report
May 27, 2025
TO: Honorable City Council
FROM: Jesus M. Gomez, City Manager
BY: Rita Ruiz, Interim Director of Public Safety
Richard Newton, Emergency Services Manager
SUBJECT: RESOLUTION NO. 25-20 BUDGET AMENDMENT AND PURCHASE APPROVAL – PUBLIC SAFETY COMMUNICATIONS EQUIPMENT
Background:
The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department (LASD) is currently transitioning its radio system to the Los Angeles Regional Interoperable Communications System (LA-RICS). To maintain access to LASD communications networks, the City must also update its own radio system to meet LA-RICS requirements.
LA-RICS is designed to significantly improve both radio and broadband communication capabilities for police, fire, paramedics, and other emergency responders across Los Angeles County. This system creates a unified communications network, removes barriers to multi- jurisdictional response efforts, and enables direct communication between personnel from different agencies. As part of this modernization, LA-RICS mandates that each radio be assigned to a single officer to ensure system security and accountability.
Historically, Norwalk’s Public Safety Officers have shared radios between shifts. However, to comply with LA-RICS requirements, the City will need to purchase 25 additional radios so that each officer can be issued their own. Several of the City’s current radios can be updated to meet LA-RICS standards, while those that cannot will be repurposed for general operations within other City departments.
City Council May 27, 2025
Purchase Mobile Radios Page No. 2
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Fiscal Impact:
The fiscal impact of this proposal is $83,301.67 and will be funded through Citizens Option for Public Safety (COPS) grant funds. A budget amendment of $91,500, which includes the equipment cost and a 10% contingency, is required.
Citizens Advised:
N/A
Strategic Plan 2023 Implementation:
The recommended action will further the City’s Strategic Plan Goal 2: Work in partnership with our community to achieve safe and livable neighborhoods.
Recommended Action:
Staff recommends City Council:
a. adopt Resolution No. 25-20, A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWALK AUTHORIZING AN AMENDMENT TO THE FISCAL YEAR 2024/25
ADOPTED BUDGET TO APPROPRIATE FUNDS FOR PUBLIC SAFETY
COMMUNICATIONS EQUIPMENT, in the amount of $91,500; and b. authorize the City Manager to execute the purchase of 25 Kenwood NX-5300K2 Handheld Transceiver Radios and associated equipment, licenses, and fees from B&W Communications Inc. in the amount of $83.301.67.
Attachments:
1. Resolution No. 25-20
2. Quote from B&W Communications