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Item No: 7G Meeting Date: February 14, 2011 Type of Business: Council Business Administrator Review : ____ City of Mounds View Staff Report To: Honorable Mayor and City Council From: Thomas Kinney, Chief of Police Item Title/Subject: Resolution 7743, Authorization to Purchase One 2011 Ford Crown Victoria Squad and One Four Wheel Drive 2011 Chev Tahoe Introduction: At the February 7, 2011 work session, the majority of the city council expressed support for moving forward with the purchase of a 2011 Ford Crown Victoria squad and a 2011 Chevrolet Tahoe 4x4. Each vehicle will be designed with a new black and white color scheme. To recap the information presented at the work session, the following information was discussed. The police department has planned to replace two marked squad cars this year. These particular vehicles are a 2005 and 2006 model Ford Crown Victoria. The department only purchased one squad in 2009 and deferred the purchase of one squad in 2010. The amount of $23,000 was budgeted for each squad replacement, as well as $6000 for the set up. As a result, $58,000 in savings has occurred during the past two years. However, with the delay in squad replacement, the department is risking reduced reliability with increased maintenance and repair costs as the wear and tear of 24 hour operation of these vehicles is showing. The 2011 budget has designated one squad replacement at a total cost of $29,000 while the second squad purchase would come from the police forfeiture fund. Elk River Ford was awarded the state bid for the 2011 Ford Crown Victoria Police Interceptor. The Crown Victoria is being sold at a base price of $21,518 excluding registration, tax, and license. The order deadline for this vehicle is March 1, 2011. Discussion: The issue of the black and white color scheme was discussed by the Council at the February work session. One of the reasons why many municipal agencies have re- designed their squad cars to a black and white color scheme is to increase visibility, as well as to improve recognition by all community members, particularly those of a diverse culture. (Mounds View has seen a steady increase in its demographic diversity.) While a black and white squad is even more visible against the white snow backdrop, the design can also aid in the perception of a more noticeable police presence and promote a positive image. A black and white squad car leaves little doubt as to what it represents to the observer. In order to achieve this two tone option, a solid black car would be ordered and the front and rear doors would have a white vinyl film applied. This would add about $600 for each car to the cost. The set up for the police equipment and graphics has been budgeted separately. This procedure makes it convenient for future re-sale so the vehicle does not have to be sold as a two tone color design.