HomeMy WebLinkAbout02-06-2018 Item 09 Authorize Funds from the Law Enforcement Grant Fund/Traffic Impound Account to Purchase Equipment Related Traffic Safety Meeting Date: 2/6/2018
FROM: Deanna Cantrell, Chief of Police
Prepared By: Melissa Ellsworth, Senior Administrative Analyst
SUBJECT: AUTHORIZE FUNDS FROM THE LAW ENFORCEMENT GRANT
FUND/TRAFFIC IMPOUND ACCOUNT TO PURCHASE EQUIPMENT
RELATED TO TRAFFIC SAFETY
RECOMMENDATION
Appropriate $13,800 from available fund balance in the Law Enforcement Grant Fund/Traffic
Impound Account to purchase a portable Traffic Collision/Crime Scene Reconstruction System.
DISCUSSION
The San Luis Obispo Police Department utilizes a Traffic Callout Team to process crime and/or
traffic collision scenes. The current equipment used for data collection by the team is well over
12 years old; technology has significantly improved to allow for more detailed and precise data
collection. Currently, the average time spent on evidence collection using existing equipment is
approximately 4-5 hours. Utilizing modern technology, such as a laser scanner, will greatly
reduce data collection time to approximately 20 -30 minutes. Newer technology utilizes
scanners to “scan” entire scenes, as opposed to department personnel taking measurements by
hand.
Staff is requesting to utilize funds from the Traffic Impound account to pay for a portion of the
equipment cost, the remaining balance will be covered using grant funding. It is estimated that
the reconstruction system will cost approximately $32,800.
Traffic Collision/Crime Scene Reconstruction System $32,800
Funding Sources:
2018 OTS Grant Funding for equipment $19,000
Traffic Impound Acct $13,800
Total $32,800
CONCURRENCES
The Director of Finance and Information Technology concurs with the recommendation.
FISCAL IMPACT
All costs associated with the purchase will come from fees accumulated in the Law Enforcement
Grant Fund/Traffic Impound Account. At the beginning of FY 2017-18, the approximated
balance of this account is $16,000 and is available for use pursuant to the grant parameters.
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This account was established in 2000 as a requirement of the Office of Traffic Safety Grant to
receive fees collected from violators whose vehicles were impounded because they were driving
without a valid license. Pursuant to the grant requirements, these funds must remain separate
from the General Fund and must be used for traffic-related programs. The purchase o f the laser
scanner/data collection reconstruction system meets these guidelines. Allocation from the Law
Enforcement Grant Fund/Traffic Impound account requires Council approval.
If council approves staff’s recommendation, staff will follow the City’s P urchasing Guidelines
per Section 295 of the Financial Management Manual for General Purchases.
ALTERNATIVES
1. Do not purchase. This alternative is not recommended; purchasing updated equipment will
allow staff to enhance data collection for both traffic c ollisions and crime scenes in a more
accurate and timely manner.
2. Delay purchase. Staff does not recommend this option at this time. Funding is available in
the Traffic Impound account to offset the cost and the use of grant funding is available as
well specifically for this purpose. If the purchase is delayed, there is no guarantee that the
department will be allocated grant funding again to be used toward this purchase.
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