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RESOLUTION NO. 2014-174 OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF CHULA VISTA APPROPRIATING $600,000 FROM AVAILABLE BALANCE OF THE TECHNOLOGY REPLACEMENT FUND FOR POLICE RADIOS (4/5 VOTE REQUIRED)
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RECOMMENDED ACTION
Recommended Action
Council adopt the resolution.
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SUMMARY
The Police Department is requesting to appropriate $600,000 to the supplies and services category of the Technology Replacement Fund for Motorola radios.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
This proposed activity has been reviewed for compliance with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and it has been determined that the activity is not a "Project" as defined under Section 15378 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 Regional Communications System (RCS) provides public safety and public service radio communications service to San Diego County, Imperial County, 24 incorporated cities, and a multitude of other local, state, federal and tribal government agencies in the San Diego County/Imperial County Region. The RCS is in the planning stages to upgrade the regional public safety communications system. The planning and implementation of a new system will take several years to complete. During the March 11, 2014 City Council meeting, the City Council approved Resolution #2014-44 authorizing the City to enter into an agreement with the County of San Diego to participate in the upgrade of the RCS radio system.
A portion of the planning effort is to replace a great majority of the existing inventory of portable and mobile radios because they will no longer be compatible with the new communications system. Staff estimates that there are approximately 458 radios throughout the Police, Fire and Public Works fleet that will need to be replaced. As a result of salary savings from sworn personnel vacancies in the Police Department last fiscal year, the Police Department transferred $600,000 to the Technology Replacement Fund for radios. These funds will replace approximately 125 radios. Additional funding will need to be secured to purchase the remaining radios. Staff is working with the Finance Department on various funding options.
The Police Department is requesting to appropriate $600,000 from the available balance of the Technology Replacement Fund to purchase radios and associated equipment. On July 12, 2011, Council authorized the Police and Fire Departments to purchase radios from Motorola via the County of San Diego's Motorola Contract Number 43095. Staff will continue to purchase radios from this contract.
DECISION-MAKER CONFLICT
Staff has reviewed the decision contemplated by this action and has determined that it is not site specific and consequently the 500-foot rule found in California Code of Regulations section 18704.2(a)(1) is not applicable to this decision. Staff is not independently aware, nor has staff been informed by any City Councilmember, 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 result in the appropriation of $600,000 to the supplies and services category of the Technology Replacement Fund from its available fund balance. There is no net fiscal impact to the General Fund.
ONGOING FISCAL IMPACT
There will be approximately 340 portable and mobile radios left in the Police, Fire and Public Works fleets which will need to be replaced within the next two years. Staff has been working with the Finance Department on several funding options to purchase the remaining radios. As options are identified, staff will return to City Council for additional funding.
Staff Contact: Jonathan Alegre, Administrative Services Manager