City Council Memorandum
TO: HONORABLE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL DATE: SEPTEMBER 16, 2025 FROM: POLICE DEPARTMENT WARD: ALL
SUBJECT: ACCEPTANCE OF 25 VIGILANT AUTOMATED LICENSE PLATE READER CAMERAS WITH 13 COMMUNICATION BOXES AND NECESSARY WIRING VALUED IN THE AMOUNT OF $76,620 FROM THE CITY OF RANCHO MIRAGE, CALIFORNIA ISSUE:
Authorize the acceptance of 25 vigilant automated license plate reader cameras with 13 communication boxes and necessary wiring from the City of Rancho Mirage, California valued in the amount of $76,620.
RECOMMENDATION:
That the City Council authorize the acceptance of 25 vigilant automated license plate reader cameras with 13 communication boxes and necessary wiring from the City of Rancho Mirage, California valued in the amount of $76,620.
BACKGROUND:
A gift of donation is defined as any item of value given to the City by a donor who expects nothing significant of value in return, other than recognition and disposition of the gift in accordance with the donor’s wishes.
The City’s Minor Donation Acceptance Policy number 06.011.00 allows for the acceptance of donations of cash and real or personal property when they have a purpose consistent with the City’s goals and objectives and are in the best interest of Riverside. As this donation is valued at over $25,000, City Council approval is required, as outlined in the policy referenced above.
DISCUSSION:
The City of Rancho Mirage previously used automated license plate reader camera (ALPR) systems by Vigilant; however, they transitioned to a new ALPR technology provider. The existing Vigilant ALPR systems require a proprietary license to function, which the City of Rancho Mirage no longer maintains. Consequently, the equipment cannot be used by the City of Rancho Mirage. Therefore, City of Rancho Mirage staff reviewed the equipment and identified 25 Vigilant ALPR cameras, 13 communications boxes, and the necessary wiring were available for donation for a total estimated value of $76,620.
The City of Riverside has had an ALPR program since 2011 managed by the Riverside Police Department (RPD). RPD uses various types of ALPR systems from at least two (2) different vendors and maintains licenses with both vendors, one of which is Vigilant.
ALPR systems are made up of high-speed, computer-controlled cameras that capture license plate numbers along with location, date, and time. Police Officers also have access to software that allows them to pre-load license plate information from hot lists such as stolen vehicles, amber alerts, and vehicles associated with outstanding warrants for investigative purposes. When an ALPR camera detects a suspect vehicle, RPD is notified by the system.
The RPD has use of the additional Vigilant ALRP cameras and is requesting that the City Council accept the donation from the City of Rancho Mirage. The cost to the City of accepting the donation is approximately $20,000 for the one-time installation of the cameras and $5,000 per year for the annual subscription for 25 cameras for a total cost of $25,000 in FY25/26.
FISCAL IMPACT:
The fiscal impact of the donation is valued at approximately $76,620. In addition, the installation and annual subscription is approximately $25,000 for FY 2025/26 and $5,000 per year for every subsequent year. Sufficient funds are budgeted and available in the General Fund, Police Department Special Operations Professional Services Account No. 3125000-421000. Funds in the amount of $5,000 per year for future fiscal years will be included during budget development for those years.
Prepared by: Eric Meier, Police Lieutenant
Approved by: Larry V. Gonzalez, Chief of Police
Certified as to
Availability of funds: Kristie Thomas, Finance Director/Assistant Chief Financial Officer Approved by: Mike Futrell, City Manager Approved as to form: Rebecca McKee-Reimbold, Interim City Attorney Accept Donation of Vigilant ALPR Cameras - Page 2