CITY OF SIMI VALLEY
MEMORANDUM
May 20, 2024
TO
: City Council
FR
OM: Police Department
SUBJ
ECT: AUTHORIZATION TO ACCEPT THE DONATION OF A 2018 DODGE RAM 4500 UTILITY BODY TRUCK, VALUED AT $38 ,000, FROM THE
VENTURA COUNTY FIRE PROTECTION DISTRICT
STAFF RECOMMENDATION
It
is recommended that the City Council accept the donation of a 2018 Dodge Ram 4500 Utility Body truck, valued at $38,000, from the Ventura County Fire Protection District, and authorize the transfer of title from the County of Ventura to the City of Simi Valley.
BACKGROUND AND OVERVIEW
Ea
ch year, the Ventura County Fire Protection District budgets for the replacement of older vehicles with newer models, enabling the Fire District to adhere to its standard vehicle replacement plan and maintain the fleet’s readiness. Ordinarily, the Fire Protection District sells surplus vehicles at auction. Most vehicles are sold to other public fire departments or private individuals through the customary auction process.
On
March 26, 2024, the County of Ventura Board of Supervisors authorized the “Donation of a 2018 Dodge RAM 4500 Pacific Truck Utility Body (66,932 miles) by the Ventura County Fire Protection District (Fire District) to the Simi Valley Police Department for the purpose of Active Police Work and Public Safety” by the S imi Valley Police Department (SVPD) Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT)/Tactical Emergency Medical Support (TEMS) teams . Staff recommends the City Council accept the donation of a 2018 Dodge Ram 4500 Utility Body truck
FINDINGS AND ALTERNATIVES
If ac
cepted, the 2018 Dodge Ram would replace the SWAT Team’s current vehicle, a 2001 Ford equipment truck donated to the D epartment over 10 years ago. The current vehicle is the oldest in the Department’s fleet and has over 140,000 miles. Factory replacement parts are no longer manufactured by Ford and therefore difficult to obtain.
Current documented mechanical issues for the 2001 Ford are an oil leak, idling issues including involuntary accelerations, battery issues, and sputters on cold starts.
AGENDA ITEM NO.
Consent (4)
The 2018 Dodge Ram 4500 has under 67,000 miles and genuine Ram parts are still manufactured and easier to obtain. The Ram has updated technology (airbags, backup cameras/sensors, lighting equipment), routine documented maintenance, and service history records. The Ram also has a similar equipment box layout as that of the Ford. The Police Department’s estimated expenditure to modify this vehicle for SVPD’s use is $4,600 for paint and decals. Another option is “wrapping” the truck, which is significantly more costly at approximately $10,000. Annual maintenance for this vehicle is estimated to be $500.
The following alternatives are available to the City Council:
1. Accept the donation of a 2018 Dodge R am 4500 Utility Body truck, valued at $38,000, from the Ventura County Fire Protection District, and authorize the transfer of title from the County of Ventura to the City of Simi Valley;
2. Do not accept the 2018 Dodge Ram 4500 Pacific Truck Utility Body donation;
3. Provide staff with further direction.
Staff recommends Alternative No. 1.
SUGGESTED CITY COUNCIL MOTION
I move that the City Council accept the donation of a 2018 Dodge Ram 4500 Utility Body truck, valued at $38,000, from the Ventura County Fire Protection District, and authorize the transfer of title from the County of Ventura to the City of Simi Valley.
SUMMARY
The Ventura County Board of Supervisors has approved the donation of 2018 Dodge Ram 4500 Pacific Truck Utility Body by the Ventura County Fire Protection to the Simi Valley Police Department. The vehicle has under 67,000 miles and is valued at $38,000.
The current 2001 Ford equipment truck used by the SWAT team has over 141,000 miles, several documented mechanical issues, and r eplacement parts are no longer manufactured by Ford. Therefore, s taff recommends that the City Council accept the donation of a 2018 Dodge Ram 4500 Pacific Truck Utility Body.
Charles Steven Shorts
Chief of Police
Prepared by: Tim Wedemeyer, Commander
INDEX Page
Attachment A – COV Board Letter - Truck Donation ............................. 3 2 980 Enchanted Way, Suite 203 • Simi Valley, CA 93065 • TEL (805) 955-2300 • FAX (805) 578-1622 [email protected] • Internal Mail: L#5910
MEMBERS OF THE BOARD
KELLY LONG, CHAIR
MATT LAVERE
JEFF GORELL
JANICE S. PARVIN
VIANEY LOPEZ
March 26, 2024
Board of Directors
Ventura County Fire Protection District
800 South Victoria Avenue
Ventura, CA 93009
SUBJECT: Donation of a 2018 Dodge RAM 4500 Pacific Truck Utility Body (66,932 miles) by the Ventura County Fire Protection District (Fire District) to the Simi Valley Police Department for the purpose of Active Police Work and Public Safety.
RECOMMENDATIONS:
Authorize the donation of a 2018 Dodge RAM 4500 Pacific Truck Utility Body (66,932 miles) by the Fire District to the Simi Valley Police Department for use by their Special Weapons and Tactics SWAT/Tactical Emergency Medical Support (TEMS) teams.
FISCAL/MANDATES IMPACT:
Donating the Fire District’s surplus heavy-duty utility truck to the Simi Valley Police Department will provide them with the ability to carry needed equipment to the scene of an emergency safely and expeditiously and is an effective use of County and Simi Valley Police Department resources.
Although the value of this vehicle is $38,000, the loss of the possible revenue from the surplus sale of the vehicle is far outweighed by the benefits of the donation. The use of this vehicle by the city will help reduce police response time to emergency incidents and hopefully improve the safety of both citizens and personnel. The vehicle is in good condition and needs no major repairs.
DISCUSSION:
Each year, the Fire District budgets for the replacement of older vehicles with newer models, enabling the Fire District to adhere to its standard vehicle replacement plan and maintain the readiness of the fleet. Ordinarily, the Fire District sells surplus vehicles at auction. Most vehicles are sold to other public fire departments or private individuals through the customary auction process.
ATTACHMENT A
3 Board of Directors
March 26, 2024
980 Enchanted Way, Suite 203 • Simi Valley, CA 93065 • TEL (805) 955-2300 • FAX (805) 578-1622 Janice.Parvin @ventura.org • Internal Mail: L#5910
The Ventura County Fire Protection District provides Tactical Emergency Medical Support (TEMS) to the Simi Valley Police Department Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) Team. This collaboration provides specialized emergency response services to the community. The donation of this heavy-duty utility truck for use by the SWAT/TEMS will help support both departments commitment to the safe resolution of high-risk situations including the rescue of Law Enforcement Officers and civilians in high hazardous areas firefighters cannot respond to alone.
The Simi Valley Police Department will be responsible for registration and transfer documentation, referring to VIN No. ############3959 (the last four digits of the Vehicle Identification).
The County Executive Office, the Auditor-Controller’s Office and County Counsel have reviewed this letter. If you have any questions, please contact me at 805-955-2300.
Sincerely,
Janice S. Parvin
Supervisor, District 4
4