PAS^b^0
y-'^.^
07 * *
<0 z
03 0CO 0
^<^ -0^ 0^ ?-ireo
Agenda Report
September 23, 2024
TO: Honorable Mayor and City Council
THROUGH: Public Safety (September 18, 2024)
FROM: Police Department
SUBJECT: AUTHORIZE THE C\T\ MANAGER TO ENTER INTO A PURCHASE
ORDER CONTRACT WITH RECONVIEW LLC FOR THE PURCHASE
OF A MOBILE OBSERVATION TOWER FOR AN AMOUNT NOT-TO-
EXCEED $400,507 WHICH INCLUDES A BASE AMOUNT OF $385,507 AND A CONTINGENCY OF $15,000 TO PROVIDE FOR ANY
NECESSARY CHANGE ORDERS.
RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended that the City Council:
1. Find that the action proposed herein is covered by the common sense exemption set forth in State CEQA Guidelines Section 15061(b)(3) that CEQA only applies to projects that may have a significant effect on the environment; and
2. Authorize the City Manager to enter into a purchase order contract with Reconview LLC, as the lowest and best bidder, in response to specifications fora mobile observation tower in an amount not-to-exceed $400,507, which includes a base contract amount of $385,507 and a contingency of $15,000 to provide for any necessary change orders.
BACKGROUND:
The Pasadena Police Department (PPD) is tasked with preventing and investigating criminal activity throughout Pasadena. The proposed mobile observation tower is a significant step towards enhancing these tasks, providing a powerful tool for crime prevention and investigation.
The mobile observation tower offers distinct advantages:
• An elevated viewpoint.
High-definition cameras with 40x zoom capabilities.
National Institute of Justice (NIJ) level IV ballistic protection for the officer(8) inside.
MEETING OF _09/23/2024_AGENDA ITEM NO.10
Mobile Observation Tower
September 23, 2024
The mobile observation tower offers an elevated position of up to 30'. This viewpoint significantly expands the line of sight for officers and cameras. This is a crucial advantage in locations such as the Rose Bowl, where there are long stretches of land to cover and numerous obstacles, including EZ-ups, that block an officer's view on foot.
The mobile observation tower does not have gun ports and cannot be used as a sniper position or to fire or launch any type of weapon.
The mobile observation tower's primary use will be at the Rose Bowl. The Rose Bowl hosts numerous events every year, up to 25 of which are categorized as "displacement events." These displacement events attract tens of thousands of spectators and require a significant police presence.
In addition to the increased number of displacement events, attendance at UCLA football games is expected to grow since the program joined the Big 10 conference. The mobile observation tower, placed in one of the exterior tailgating and fanfest lots, will significantly augment the Police Department's ability to observe the crowds, direct officer response to incidents, and provide video evidence of any event that occurs.
Additionally, the mobile observation tower is equipped with police lights and a public address system; this allows it to serve as a landmark or rally point in case of emergency or if a fan needs police assistance.
Similarly, the mobile observation tower will be a significant asset when the Rose Bowl hosts the men's and women's soccer semi-finals and finals during the 2028 Summer Olympic Games.
In April 2024, Pasadena Police representatives met with Rose Bowl CEO/General Manager Jens Weiden and Assistant General Manager Derek Doolittle to discuss the best way to deploy the observation tower and how to effectively use the tower to supplement the Rose Bowl's existing security camera coverage. Both the Rose Bowl and the Police Department are confident the observation tower will be a significant asset at the Rose Bowl.
The tower offers the added benefit of NIJ level IV ballistic protection. The NIJ is the research, development and evaluation agency of the US Department of Justice and sets the national standards for ballistic protection. The NIJ provides five armor protection level classifications: IIA, II, IIIA, III and IV. Level IV is the top and the only level that consistently stops rifle fire. This ensures that the officer(8) in the tower are adequately protected against attack, especially since they are in a static position and unable to escape should an attack occur.
Due to the significant benefits they provide, observation towers have grown in popularity among law enforcement agencies. There are estimated to be approximately 200 law enforcement agencies throughout the country using observation towers, including LA Metro, San Diego County Sheriff's Department, San Diego Police Department, El Cajon Police Department and the Escondido Police Department.
Mobile Observation Tower
September 23, 2024
Following City purchasing guidelines, a Notice Inviting Bids for the purchase of a ballistic observation tower with four 1080p HDTV Axis cameras (including wireless connectivity via LTE and a Genetec DVR/server), public address system, LED spotlights, police strobe light and solar panel kit were advertised in local media outlets and posted on Open GOV procurement. The bid was downloaded by fifteen vendors, resulting in two submitted bids, as shown below. There are no vendors located in Pasadena that provide this equipment.
BIDDER
Reconview LLC (Charlotte, NC)
Safeware, Inc. (Lanham, MD)
AMOUNT
$385,407
$347,156
Safeware, Inc. submitted a bid but acknowledged their observation tower does not offer ballistic protection.
The bid by Reconview LLC was responsive to the specifications and required accessories and was determined to be the lowest responsive submission. Reconview LLC is a reputable vendor in the security industry with experience serving the law enforcement, government, and military markets. Reconview LLC has had no prior contracts with the City of Pasadena. Staff recommends the Council award Reconview LLC the purchase order contract to build the mobile observation tower.
COUNCIL POLICY CONSIDERATION:
By providing the Pasadena Police Department with upgraded equipment and technology to perform its function, the proposed purchase furthers the City Council's strategic planning goal of ensuring public safety.
ENVIRONMENTAL ANALYSIS:
The action proposed herein has been determined to be exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to State CEQA Guidelines Section 15061(b)(3), the "Common Sense" exemption that CEQA applies only to projects which have the potential for causing a significant effect on the environment. Where it can be seen with certainty that there is no possibility that the activity in question may have a significant effect on the environment, the activity is not subject to CEQA. Such is the case with the proposed contract authorization for the purchase and use of the mobile observation tower.
Mobile Observation Tower
September 23, 2024
FISCAL IMPACT:
The cost of this action is $400,507. Funding for this action will be addressed by utilizing existing budgeted appropriations of $213,042 in the Homeland Security Grant Fund (230). The remaining $187,465 will be addressed by utilizing existing budgeted appropriations in the General Fund (101). It is anticipated that all funds will be spent during the current fiscal year with no indirect or support cost requirements.
Respectfully submitted,
EUGENE HARRI^
Chief of Police
Pasadena Police Department
Prepared by:
^.^t^
TimothTy-BlUndy ^)
Police Lieutenant
Approved by:
MIGye-'MARQUEZ
City Manager