Report Prepared by: Marvin Dillsaver, Communications Supervisor, Police Department
Title
SUBJECT: Acceptance of $100,000 from the Merced County Remote Access Network Board as Reimbursement Funding for the Purchase of In-Car Mobile Computers.
REPORT IN BRIEF
Consider the Acceptance of $100,000 in Remote Access Network (RAN) funding from the Merced County Remote Access Network for the purchase of twenty one (21) in car computer systems for police patrol vehicles.
RECOMMENDATION
City Council - Adopt a motion:
A. Accepting and appropriating $100,000.00 in reimbursable funds from the Merced County RAN Board for the purchase of computer equipment for police patrol vehicles. Increase Revenue account 001-1002-324-02-00 by $100,000.00 and appropriate the same for expenditures to account 001-1002-523-43-00.
B. Authorizing the City Manager to execute all necessary documents for this purpose.
C. Authorizing the use of pooled cash for the purchase until the reimbursed RAN funds are received.
Body
ALTERNATIVES
1. Approve, as recommended by Staff; or,
2. Deny; or,
3. Refer back to staff for recommendation of specific items
AUTHORITY
City of Merced Charter Section 200.
CITY COUNCIL PRIORITIES
Public Safety as provided for in the 2016-17 Adopted Budget.
DISCUSSION
The State of California Department of Justice operates the California Identification System (CAL-ID), which is an automated system that retains finger print files and other related law enforcement information and databases. The Remote Access Network (RAN) is a uniform statewide network of equipment and procedures which allows local law enforcement agencies direct access to the CAL-ID system. To assist with the funding for this system, the State established a county level fee assessed as part of state vehicle registration fees.
To oversee and distribute the funding received by RAN a seven member RAN Board was established pursuant to California Penal Code section 11112.4, subdivision (b). Pursuant to that section, the Board consists of a member of the County Board of Supervisors, the Merced County Sheriff, the Merced County District Attorney, the Merced Police Chief, one other Police Chief who is selected by the police chiefs in Merced County, a member-at-large and a Mayor from a city within the county. As part of their fiscal year 2015-2016 budget, the RAN Board approved $100,000 in funding to the City of Merced for the purchase of mobile computers for our patrol vehicles. To receive this funding, the City must first purchase the computers and provide proof of payment to the RAN Board.
In a separate item presented to the City Council, the Department is seeking the authority to purchase 21 new mobile computers at a cost of $92,492. The $100,000 in RAN funding will be used to reimburse the City for this purchase. The remaining funds from the $100,000 will be used to upgrade the hard drives and provide additional Random Access Memory for these new computers.
The Department is seeking to upgrade their in car computer systems to improve functionality and increase the ability of our officers to interface with state and federal databases and computer systems. This funding will allow the department replace existing computers with the latest technology and will allow our officers the ability to perform more work and essential functions in the field.
IMPACT ON CITY RESOURCES
An appropriation of $100,000.00 in reimbursable funds and an increase in revenue account 001-1002-324-02-00 by $100,000.00 are needed for the purchase of necessary computer equipment associated with the replacement of the police department mobile computer replacement project, and authorization for the City Manager to execute all necessary documents for this purpose. Upon payment of equipment by the City of Merced, reimbursement of the funds will be made by the Merced County RAN Board.
ATTACHMENTS
List of 2015-2016 projects approved by the Merced County RAN Board, including number 2015-7, to the Merced Police Department in the amount of $100,000 for the purchase of mobile computers.