Title
RESOLUTION NO. 2015-246 OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF CHULA VISTA APPROVING AN AGREEMENT (“TASER QUOTATION”) BETWEEN THE CITY AND TASER INTERNATIONAL FOR THE PURCHASE OF BODY-WORN CAMERAS, DATA STORAGE AND RELATED PRODUCT SUPPORT SERVICES
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RECOMMENDED ACTION
Recommended Action
Council adopt the resolution.
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SUMMARY
On November 4, 2014, the City Council approved a 5-year agreement with Taser International for the purchase of 114 body worn cameras, data storage and related product support services. On August 18, 2015, the City Council approved another 5-year agreement for the purchase of 12 body worn cameras, data storage and related product support services. To fully deploy all uniformed personnel with body worn cameras, the Police Department is now requesting to approve the purchase of 36 additional body worn cameras, along with associated equipment and data storage services.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
The Development Services Director has reviewed the proposed activity for compliance with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and has determined that the activity is not a “Project” as defined under Section 15378(b)(5) of the State CEQA Guidelines because it will not result in a physical change in the environment; therefore, pursuant to Section 15060(c)(3) of the State CEQA Guidelines, the activity is not subject to CEQA. Thus, no environmental review is necessary.
BOARD/COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION
Not Applicable.
DISCUSSION
The Police Department implemented its Body Worn Camera (BWC) program when Council approved a 5-year agreement with Taser International in November 2014. Six body worn cameras were purchased during the research and testing phase and 114 BWCs were purchased after Council approved the 5-year agreement. Deployment and training on the BWCs began in January 2015. The quantity of 120 BWCs was determined to issue them to all full duty officers in Patrol, Traffic and Street Team assignments. At the time of the BWC proposal, budgetary concerns and lower staffing levels allowed the Police Department to purchase fewer cameras as a cost saving measure.
In August 2015, twelve body worn cameras were purchased after Council approved another 5-year agreement. The Police Department’s BWC program supervisor determined that an additional twelve cameras and licenses was required to meet the department’s projected growth in officer staffing in the next two months.
At this time, the Police Department is requesting to enter into a five-year contract with Taser International for the purchase of 36 BWCs, requisite docking stations and the data storage and data management services of Evidence.com. The 36 additional cameras will be deployed to the School Resource Unit, Patrol Sergeants, Street Team Sergeant, Watch Commander and anticipated officer hires. With the purchase of 36 BWCs, the Police Department will have a total of 168 cameras, which will allow the Department to deploy BWCs to all uniformed assignments.
The total five-year contract is $173,400, including all equipment, warranties, data storage and management costs. In the current fiscal year, the total cost is $55,762, which includes the one-time purchase of BWCs and equipment as well as data storage.
The cost breakdown of the five-year contract is as follows:
|
|
FY 15/16 |
FY 16/17 |
FY 17/18 |
FY 18/19 |
FY 19/20 |
5-YEAR TOTAL |
|
Equipment |
$25,734 |
|
|
|
|
$25,734 |
|
Service & Storage Costs |
$30,028 |
$30,028 |
$30,028 |
$30,028 |
$27,553 |
$147,666 |
|
Total Costs |
$55,762 |
$30,028 |
$30,028 |
$30,028 |
$27,553 |
$173,400 |
DECISION-MAKER CONFLICT
Staff has determined that the action contemplated by this item is ministerial, secretarial, manual, or clerical in nature and, as such, does not require the City Council members to make or participate in making a governmental decision, pursuant to California Code of Regulations Title 2, section 18704.4(a)(1). Consequently, this item does not present a conflict under the Political Reform Act (Cal. Gov't Code § 87100, et seq.). Staff is not independently aware, and has not been informed by any City Council member, of any other fact that may constitute a basis for a decision maker conflict of interest in this matter.
LINK TO STRATEGIC GOALS
The City’s Strategic Plan has five major goals: Operational Excellence, Economic Vitality, Healthy Community, Strong and Secure Neighborhoods and a Connected Community. This resolution supports the goal of Strong and Secure Neighborhoods by equipping personnel with adequate resources for community policing.
CURRENT YEAR FISCAL IMPACT
Approval of this resolution will approve a five-year agreement with Taser International for body worn cameras and digital evidence storage services. The Police Department has identified funding for Year 1 of the 5-year contract period; no appropriations are requested at this time.
ONGOING FISCAL IMPACT
Funding for Years 2 through 5 of the contract period (totaling $117,638) has yet to be identified. The Police Department will coordinate with the Finance Department to identify funding for the remaining costs. Future funding for this contract will be considered as part of the normal budget process.
Before the contract period ends, the Police Department will coordinate with the Finance Department to sustain the Body Worn Camera program in subsequent fiscal years.
Furthermore, the Police Department believes that the use of body worn cameras will reduce the number of citizen complaints and costly lawsuits about police misconduct. The positive fiscal impact of less complaints and lawsuits can potentially offset the ongoing costs of the BWC program.
ATTACHMENTS
Taser Quotation # Q-37245-1 (Agreement)
Staff Contact: Jonathan Alegre