CITY OF SIMI VALLEY
MEMORANDUM
January 23, 2023
TO: City Council
FROM: Police Department
SUBJECT: AUTHORIZATION TO PURCHASE THREE (3) UNMARKED VEHICLES,
AUTHORIZE THE CITY MANAGER TO EXECUTE RELATED
PURCHASING DOCUMENTS, APPROVE AN INTER-FUND
TRANSFER AND APPROVAL OF SUPPLEMENTAL BUDGET
REQUEST IN FUNDS 2 80 ($80,562) AND 100 ($52,238)
STAFF RECOMMENDATION
It is recommended that the City Council authorize the Police Department to purchase replacements for two (2) unmarked vehicles that were destroyed in the line of duty and one (1) new fleet vehicle for use in the new countywide Fentanyl Task Force, at a total cost not-to-exceed $132,800, authorize a Supplemental Budget request in the amount of $80,562 for the use of Forfeited Assets Fund (Fund 280) for two of the vehicles, and authorize a Supplemental Budget request in the amount of $52,238 in the General Fund (Fund 100). Also approve an inter-fund transfer of the general funds to the Vehicle Replacement Fund (Fund 651), and authorize the City Manager to execute related purchasing documents.
BACKGROUND AND OVERVIEW
On June 13, 2022, the City Council approved the FY 2022- 23 Budget, which allocated $400,000 for the replacement of Police Department vehicles which have surpassed their useful life. During the current Fiscal Year, two unmarked vehicles not due for replacement were destroyed. Additionally, Ventura County (County) has created a new Fentanyl Task Force (Task Force), which will be staffed by Detectives from law enforcement agencies countywide, and the Police Department, as a task force participant, is required to provide one unmarked vehicle and one Detective.
On June 30, 2022, vehicle #102 (asset #101448 purchased FY 2018-19) was involved in a traffic collision resulting in damages which render ed the vehicle a total loss. The vehicle, which is assigned to the Detective Bureau Property Crimes Sergeant, is designed to be unmarked in nature.
On November 16, 2022, vehicle #111 (asset #101499 purchased FY 2019-20) was involved in a traffic collision resulting in damages which rendered the vehicle a total loss.
AGENDA ITEM NO.
Consent (3)
2 The vehicle, which is assigned to the Detective Bureau Property Crimes Unit, is designed to be unmarked in nature.
Neither of these vehicles were scheduled to be replaced, and the loss of both vehicles not only puts a major strain on the unmarked fleet, but hinders the ability of the Detectives to perform their regular duties. Restitution funds received from vehicles destroyed in the line of duty have been deposited into the General Fund and offset the cost of purchasing these two vehicles.
FINDINGS AND ALTERNATIVES
Starting on January 24, 2023, the Police Department will assign one Narcotic Detective and one unmarked vehicle to the Countywide Fentanyl Task Force. Due to the increasing number of Fentanyl overdoses throughout the County, the Task Force was designed to specifically investigate the source and supplier of these overdoses with the intention of arresting those responsible and seizing the related illegal assets.
Additionally, the Task Force will focus on illegal marijuana grows in residential and commercial areas as wel l as investigations of illegal sales of narcotics through medical practices.
The Police Department’s current fleet does not have an available vehicle for this Task Force; therefore, a new vehicle will be needed in order to fulfill the requirements of participation in the Task Force. Staff is also recommending the use of forfeited asset funds for the acquisition of two vehicles and general funds for acquisition of one vehicle.
It is anticipated the Police Department will receive a share of funds recovered by the Task Force through the forfeited assets equitable sharing proceeds.
The following alternatives are available to the City Council:
1. Authorize the Police Department to purchase replacements for two (2) unmarked vehicles that were destroyed in the line of duty and one (1) new unmarked fleet vehicle for use in the new countywide Fentanyl Task Force, at a total cost not-t o- exceed $132,800. Authorize a Supplemental Budget request in the amount of $80,562 in the Forfeited Assets fund (Fund 280), authorize a Supplemental Budget request in the amount of $52,238 in the General Fund (Fund 100) and authorize inter-fund transfer of $52,238 fr om the General Fund (Fund 100) to the vehicle replacement fund (Fund 651), and authorize the City Manager to execute related purchasing documents;
2. Do not authorize the Police Department to purchase three (3) unmarked vehicles, and provide staff with alternate direction;
Staff recommends Alternative No. 1.
3 SUGGESTED CITY COUNCIL MOTION
I move to authorize the Police Department to purchase three unmarke d vehicles, through informal bid quotes at a price not-to-exceed $132,800. Authorize a Supplemental Budget request in the amount of $80,562 in the Forfeited Assets Fund (Fund 280), authorize a Supplemental Budget request in the amount of $52,238 in the General Fund (Fund 100) and authorize inter-fund transfer of $52,238 from the General Fund (Fund 100) to the Vehicle Replacement fund (Fund 651), and authorize the City Manager to execute related purchasing documents.
SUMMARY
The FY 2022- 23 Budget allocates $400,000 for the Police Department to replace fleet vehicles, which have surpassed their useful li fe. During the current Fiscal Year, two unmarked vehicles not due for replacement were destroyed. Additionally, the County has created a new Fentanyl Task Force, which will be staffed by Detectives from law enforcement agencies countywide. As a Task Force participant, the Police Department is required to provide one unmarked vehicle and one Detective . Therefore, staff recommends that the City Council authorize the Police Department to purchase three unmarked vehicles, through informal bid quotes at a price not-t o-exceed $132,800, authorize a Supplemental Budget request for the use of forfeited assets funds, a Supplemental Budget request for the
use of general funds and an inter-fund transfer of
general funds to the Vehicle Replacement fund, and authorize the City Manager to execute related purchasing documents.
____________________________________
Charles Steven Shorts
Interim Chief of Police
Prepared by: Sandra Hernandez, Administrative Officer