CITY OF PACIFICA
COUNCIL AGENDA SUMMARY REPORT
8/11/2025
1 SUBJECT:
Approval of Agreement with Metro Mobile Communications for the purchase of (70) police handheld portable radios in the amount of $157,319 and to Authorize the City Manager or Designee to Execute all Documents Associated with this Project.
RECOMMENDED ACTION:
Move to adopt a resolution approving the Agreement with Metro Mobile Communications for the purchase of (70) police handheld portable radios in the amount of $157,319; and authorize the City Manager or designee to execute all documents associated with the project.
STAFF CONTACT:
Bill Glasgo, Police Captain
[email protected]
(650) 738-7314
BACKGROUND:
On June 23, 2025, the City Council approved the fiscal year 2025-26 operating budget (resolution no. 47-2025). Included in the budget recommendation, the purchase of 70 portable police radios, which are reaching the end of their serviceable life. Reliable communication is vital for officer safety, coordination, and effective response to emergencies. The current portable radios are approximately 11 years old and have exceeded the recommended replacement lifespan. Furthermore, our staff is experiencing operational inefficiencies due to declining performance.
Replacing aging portable radios is a necessary and proactive step to ensure the department continues to operate efficiently and safely. Timely approval of this request will prevent further service degradation and support critical public safety communications. Once replaced, these new radios will likely remain in operation for up to next 10 years.
DISCUSSION:
Replacing our antiquated portable radios is aligned with the Police Department’s strategic plan to upgrade public safety technology to increase operational efficiency and effectiveness.
Factors driving this request:
- End-of-Life Equipment: The current radios are reaching their expected operational lifespan. As a result, they are increasingly prone to hardware malfunctions and software limitations, making them unreliable in high-demand scenarios. - Battery Degradation: Battery performance has deteriorated across the fleet, with many units unable to hold a charge for a full shift. This not only disrupts operations but also endangers officers during critical response periods.
- Dead Zones and Coverage Gaps: Communication failures in known “dead spots” have Pacifica City Council 2
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become more frequent. Older radios lack the advanced signal boosting and digital capabilities of newer models, reducing effectiveness in buildings, rural areas, and during mutual aid operations.
- Increased Maintenance Costs: The department has experienced rising costs related to maintenance, replacement parts, and temporary equipment loans. Continued use of outdated technology diverts funds from other critical needs. - Operational and Officer Safety Concerns: Inconsistent communication places officers at increased risk during tactical or emergency responses. Dependable radio service is essential for situational awareness and command coordination.
Impact of Change
1) Strengthen communication reliability
2) Improve officer safety and morale
3) Reduce equipment downtime and emergency maintenance
4) Better public service outcomes during emergencies
This purchase is exempt from the competitive bidding requirement under 7.1 of the City of Pacifica’s purchasing policy under the Protection of Public Welfare exemption, as the radios are necessary and Metro Mobile is able to supply them in a timely manner to ensure delivery and operational readiness by December 2025.
In addition, Metro Mobile participates in cooperative purchasing networks through competitively solicited contracts under the National Association of State Procurement Officials (NASPO), and currently provides similar services and pricing to other public agencies, including the City of South San Francisco, which also supports the justification for a direct purchase.
Given the significant benefits that can come with an enhancement in our police radio communications, the City Manager and the Chief of Police are recommending approval of the agreement with Metro Mobile Communications (Attachment A).
ALTERNATIVE ACTION:
This vital public safety communications enhancement is critical, and there is no reasonable alternative to this action at this time. This purchase has already been delayed, as the current radios have exceeded the recommended replacement lifespan.
RELATION TO CITY COUNCIL STRATEGIC PLAN:
Relates to City Council Strategic Goal #2 - Improve and steward City infrastructure, streets, and facilities.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW:
The approval of the agreement is not subject to review under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to Public Resources Code Section 21000, et seq. and the CEQA Guidelines (14 Cal. Code Regs. §§ 15000 et. seq.), including without limitation, Public Resources Code section 21065 and California Code of Regulations 15378 as this is not a “project” that may cause a direct, or reasonably foreseeable indirect, physical change in the environment.
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FISCAL IMPACT:
There is no additional fiscal impact as this project is already budgeted across multiple funding sources. The total one-time cost to replace the Police Department’s portable radios is $157,319, with funding allocated as follows:
Total cost for project $157,319
$57,319 covered by COPS Grant (Citizens Options for Public Safety) $ 25,000 covered by Risk Management General Liability Fund $75,000 remaining balance covered by the General Fund
ORIGINATED BY:
Police
ATTACHMENT LIST:
Attachment A: Metro Mobile Communications Agreement + proposal (PDF) Attachment B: Specifications on the portable radios (PDF) Pacifica City Council 4
August 11, 2025
RESOLUTION NO. ____
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PACIFICA APPROVING AN AGREEMENT WITH METRO MOBILE COMMUNICATIONS FOR THE PURCHASE OF (70) POLICE PORTALBE RADIOS IN THE AMOUNT OF $157,319; AND AUTHORIZE THE CITY
MANAGER OR DESIGNEE TO EXECUTE ALL DOCUMENTS ASSOCIATED WITH THE
PROJECT
WHEREAS, the City of Pacifica recognizes the critical importance of maintaining and enhancing the safety and security of the Pacifica Police Department’s communication capabilities and operations; and
WHEREAS, the current portable radios are in need of replacement to ensure continued reliable and secure operation in accordance with modern standard; and WHEREAS, the Police Department has identified a comprehensive solution that addresses these communication needs through the purchase and upgrade of the aforementioned systems; and
WHEREAS, the total cost for the procurement is $157,319, as proposed in the attached documentation; and
WHEREAS, the City Council approved the FY 2025-2026 operating budget to include sufficient funding in the Police Department budget to fund the costs of this purchase.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Pacifica that an agreement with Metro Mobile Communications for the purchase of (70) hand-held police portable radios for the Pacifica Police Department attached hereto, is hereby approved.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the City Manager or his designee is authorized to execute the agreement and all documents necessary to effectuate the intent of this resolution, with minor non-substantive edits that may be approved by the City Attorney and City Manager. • • • • •
PASSED AND ADOPTED at a regular meeting of the City Council of the City of Pacifica, California, held on the 11th day of August, 2025, by the following vote:
AYES, Councilmembers:
NOES, Councilmembers:
ABSENT, Councilmembers:
ABSTAIN, Councilmembers:
_________________________________
Sue Beckmeyer, Mayor
ATTEST: APPROVED AS TO FORM:
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______________________________ _________________________________ Sarah Coffey, City Clerk Michelle Kenyon, City Attorney