Agenda Packets - 2011/02/07 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Item No: 5 Meeting Date: February 7, 2011 Type of Business: Work Session Administrator Review : ____ City of Mounds View Staff Report To: Honorable Mayor and City Council From: Thomas Kinney, Chief of Police Item Title/Subject: Police Vehicle Purchasing Discussion with Black and White Design and 4 Wheel Drive SUV consideration Introduction: 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: There are some other areas to consider in assessing our departments needs for vehicles. Many municipal agencies have re-designed their squad cars to a black and white color scheme. A reason for this change is to increase visibility, as well as to improve recognition by all community members, particularly those of a diverse culture. Our community has seen a steady increase in the diverse representation throughout the city. Higher visibility of a black and white squad is even more prevalent against the white snow cover. A black and white squad can also aid 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. The current make up of police vehicles consists of 7 marked and fully equipped squads used primarily for call response, traffic enforcement and prisoner transport. There are also three unmarked/administrative cars and one marked public service officer vehicle for a total fleet of 11 vehicles. The police department does not have a four wheel drive vehicle within the existing fleet. During past winters and particularly, this current winter season has presented challenges in the ability to effectively patrol and respond to emergency matters due to the difficult snow and ice conditions.