City Council Memorandum
TO: HONORABLE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL DATE: OCTOBER 8, 2024 FROM: PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT WARD: 1
SUBJECT: APPROVE THE PURCHASE AND INSTALLATION OF SECURITY CAMERAS FOR PARKING GARAGES 1, 2 AND 3 WITH CONVERGINT TECHNOLOGIES, LLC, IN THE AMOUNT OF $232,104 PLUS A 15% CHANGE ORDER AUTHORITY IN THE AMOUNT OF $34,816 FOR A TOTAL AMOUNT OF $266,920 ISSUE:
Authorize the purchase and installation of security cameras for Parking Garages 1, 2 and 3 with Convergint Technologies, LLC, of Orange, California, in the amount of $232,104 plus a 15% change order authority in the amount of $34,816 for a total amount of $266,920.
RECOMMENDATIONS:
That the City Council:
Authorize the purchase and installation of security cameras for Parking Garages 1, 2 and 3 with Convergint Technologies, LLC, of Orange, California, under Sourcewell Cooperative Purchasing Agreement 030421-CTL in the amount of $232,104; Approve additional change order authority up to 15% ($34,816) of the original quote; and Authorize the City Manager, or designee, to execute all necessary documents including, but not limited to the scope of work, change orders, amendments, and other minor non-substantive changes.
BACKGROUND:
The City has long used video surveillance to help secure property and enhance public safety. Parking Garages 1 and 2 have six cameras each and Garage 3 has ten cameras, which provide limited surveillance coverage to impact security and/or public safety. Most of the vandalism, vehicle break-ins, and other unscrupulous activities occur in Garages 1, 2, and 3 and cannot be properly investigated due to the limited coverage.
The current camera systems in Parking Garages 1, 2, and 3 are over ten years old and have poor resolution and obsolete technology. Over the last 5 years, camera technology has drastically improved with high-definition resolution, superior night vision, and improved software features.
On April 18, 2023, City Council approved the Parking Rates and Hour Schedule to help transform the downtown parking operation and deliver improved security and public safety for the downtown stakeholders, businesses, employees and visitors. Adding, upgrading and repositioning video surveillance cameras in Parking Garages will help address these commitments.
During the last year, Parking Services has responded to the concerns of the downtown community by investigating criminal activity in the parking garages. These efforts have resulted in the Riverside Police Department (RPD) making multiple felony arrests for vandalism, property damage, attempted murder, and other criminal activity. The Riverside Downtown Partnership (RDP) is aware of these efforts and the resulting success RPD is having with apprehending those individuals who are negatively impacting security and public safety in the parking garages. RDP supports these efforts and welcomes additional surveillance cameras to provide more security and public safety. This can only happen if enough video surveillance cameras are functioning, of high resolution and positioned in strategic areas of the parking garages.
DISCUSSION:
The proposed purchase will provide for the installation of approximately 51 security cameras throughout Parking Garages 1, 2, and 3. Some of the cameras will replace older, outdated units while the remaining cameras will be added to new locations throughout the garages. The new cameras will be equipped with state-of-the-art technology including high-definition video recording, advanced video analytics capabilities, motion detection, and add-on features for some strategically located cameras, such as night vision. The proposed procurement is a significant and positive investment in the safety of the community as more surveillance coverage will support RPD’s crime fighting efforts by offering video evidence to obtain felony warrants and make arrests.
In addition to security, the video surveillance cameras will play a large role in improving customer service and the customer experience in the parking garages. The installation of the Parking Access Revenue Control Systems (PARCS) in the parking garages has made it apparent that real-time video display of the vehicle entrance and exit lanes is critically necessary. The PARCS Command Center relies on software animation and alert prompts when a vehicle is staged too long on an entrance or exit lane. This usually occurs when a customer is having trouble with entering or exiting for various reasons. Providing the PARCS Command Center with real-time video displays of the parking garage entrance and exit lanes will undoubtably improve the customer experience, reduce traffic backup, and reduce City property damage. This will allow the PARCS Command Center staff to proactively address customers that need assistance instead of waiting for customers to call on the intercom.
The installation or replacement of new cameras requires familiarity with configurations and locations throughout the city, as well as City requirements pertaining to traffic safety, access to secure sites and aesthetics related to mounting sites and pole types. Convergint Technologies is a recognized leader in the video security field and has partnered with the City on many past projects, including the downtown camera/wireless project. They have the expertise and are a properly sized company that can quickly mobilize to assist the City with camera restoration. They can provide competitive pricing for both goods and services through Sourcewell Cooperative Purchasing Agreement 030421-CTL.
This cooperative agreement is in line with the City’s Purchasing Resolution No. 24101, Sections 602(f) and 702(f).
Purchasing Resolution No. 24101, Article Six: Acquisition of Goods, Section 602 Exceptions states, “Competitive Procurement through the Informal Procurement and Formal Procurement process shall not be required in any of the following circumstances: …(f) When Cooperative Purchasing is available and undertaken or when Goods can be obtained through Federal, State and/or other public entity pricing contracts or price agreements.” Purchasing Resolution No. 24101, Article Seven: Acquisition of Services, Section 702 Exceptions states, “Competitive Procurement through the Informal Procurement and Formal Procurement process shall not be required in any of the following circumstances: …(f) When Cooperative Purchasing is available and undertaken or when Services can be obtained through Federal, State and/or other public entity pricing contracts or price agreements.” The Purchasing Manager concurs that the recommendations to authorize the purchases are in compliance with Purchasing Resolution 24101.
The Chief Innovation Officer concurs with staff’s recommendations and confirms that this item is in accordance with the City’s technology standards, guidelines and policies.
City staff plan on returning to City Council for the purchase and installation of security cameras in Parking Garage 6 once a job walk is completed.
STRATEGIC PLAN ALIGNMENT:
This item contributes to Strategic Priority 6, Infrastructure, Mobility & Connectivity and Goal 6.2. Maintain, protect and improve assets and infrastructure within the City’s built environment to ensure and enhance reliability, resiliency, sustainability and facilitate connectivity.
The item aligns with each of the five cross-cutting threads as follows:
Community Trust – The decision to make these purchases was made by conducting thorough research within the City’s procurement policies while keeping the City and its’ resident’s best interest at the forefront – including the enhancement to public safety.
Equity – All members of the community will benefit from the security camera system.
Fiscal Responsibility – This purchase is being made utilizing a publicly bid contract.
Innovation – Upgrading and/or adding video surveillance equipment provides better technologies, improves customer service, and enhances public safety in the garages.
Sustainability & Resiliency –. This purchase is imperative to the ongoing success of the City’s public safety program.
FISCAL IMPACT:
The total fiscal impact of the action is $266,920, which includes a 15% contingency of $34,816. Sufficient funding is budgeted and available in the Public Parking Fund, Public Works-Public Parking, Maintenance/Repair of Buildings and Improvements account number 4150000-424130.
Prepared by: Jessica Gordon, Administrative Services Manager Approved by: Gilbert Hernandez, Public Works Director George Khalil, Chief Innovation Officer
Certified as to
availability of funds: Kristie Thomas, Finance Director/Assistant Chief Financial Officer Approved by: Edward Enriquez, Assistant City Manager/ Chief Financial Officer/City Treasurer
Approved as to form: Phaedra A. Norton, City Attorney
Attachments:
Convergint Quote FE00658485P (Garage 1)
Convergint Quote FE00658505P (Garage 2)
Convergint Quote FE00721197P (Garage 3)
Sourcewell Agreement 030421-CTL
Convergint Technologies – Garages 1, 2, and 3 ● Page 2