Report Prepared by: Norman Andrade, Chief of Police, Merced Police Department
Title
SUBJECT: Approval of an Amended and Restated Memorandum of Understanding with the Merced Community College District for Police Services
REPORT IN BRIEF
Consider approving an Amended and Restated Memorandum of Understanding between the City of Merced Police Department and the Merced Community College District for police administrative services at the District’s campuses.
RECOMMENDATION
City Council - Adopt a motion:
A. Approving an Amended and Restated Memorandum of Understanding between the City of Merced and the Merced Community College District to provide police services at the District’s campuses; and,
B. Authorizing the City Manager or Assistant City Manager to execute the agreement; and,
C. Authorizing the Interim Finance Officer to make the appropriate budget adjustments.
Body
ALTERNATIVES
1. Approve, as recommended by staff; or,
2. Approve, subject to other than recommended by City Council; or,
3. Deny; or,
4. Refer to staff for reconsideration of specific items; or,
5. Continue to a future City Council meeting.
AUTHORITY
Charter of the City of Merced, Section 200.
CITY COUNCIL PRIORITIES
As provided for in the 2017-18 Adopted Budget.
DISCUSSION
In 2016/2017, Merced Community College requested the assistance of the Merced Police Department in providing a Police Administrator for the college, as their agreement with the Merced County Sheriff’s Department for such services was due to expire. The City of Merced entered into a short-term agreement with the Merced Community College District to assign a Police Captain to serve part-time as the college Police Department’s Chief Administrator at 75% reimbursement to the City for salary and benefits.
The college has requested that the City continue providing these services in FY 2017/2018, and through FY 2019/20, at 100% reimbursement for salary and benefits. With the recent change in Administrators, the College has requested a full-time Police Captain be assigned to the detail. During initial conversations, the College had requested the assignment of a full-time Lieutenant. However, after further evaluation, the College has requested to retain an administrator at the Captain level. MPD is willing to provide the Captain position since the College has committed to pay 100% salary and benefits for the term of the Agreement (4 years). With the understanding that the needs of MPD may fluctuate, the College has also agreed to Section 1.8, which allows the City to place a Lieutenant, if it becomes necessary and if mutually agreed upon between the City and the College. If a Lieutenant is assigned in lieu of a Captain, the City will receive 100% reimbursement for salary and benefits at the Lieutenant rate of pay.
As part of the FY 2017/18 Budget, the Council added a Lieutenant position to allow MPD to provide services to Merced College. MPD would like to retain the Lieutenant position in order to address administrative needs within the department with the transition of a full-time Captain to the College.
With the formation of this Agreement, the City and the College will be working together on several notable collaborative efforts. For example, as detailed in Section 10 of the Agreement, the Merced College will allow the City’s Police and Fire Departments to periodically conduct trainings and meetings in their available classrooms, facilities, and in other areas of their campuses at no cost to the City. The College is also willing and interested in assisting the City with hosting community events, such as the Drug Store Project, and community meetings, such as Neighborhood Watch. In addition, the College Police Department and the City Police Department will work together to educate students about the City’s Social Host Ordinance, and they will work together to enforce it.
The new agreement stipulates that the City will provide a Police Captain or Lieutenant to serve full-time as the college Police Department’s Chief Administrator, and the college will make monthly payments, based on actual expenses, to the City for reimbursement in the amount not to exceed $209,366.50 annually. The term of the agreement is from September 1, 2016 to September 1, 2020.
IMPACT ON CITY RESOURCES
Funding will be provided by the Merced Community College District, as outlined in the contract.
ATTACHMENTS
1. Amended and Restated memorandum of Understanding between the City of Merced and the Merced Community College District.