TO: Mayor and City Commission
FROM: Samuel A. May, City Manager
DATE: November 7, 2018
Title
APPROVING THE WAIVING OF BIDDING FOR ACQUISITION FROM THE FEDERAL JUSTICE LAW ENFORCEMENT TRUST FUND ACCOUNT TO ENHANCE THE POLICE DEPARTMENT’S K-9 UNIT TO INCLUDE THE PURCHASE OF TWO (2) REPLACEMENT CANINES, VEHICLE EQUIPMENT, MISCELLANEOUS K-9 EQUIPMENT, AND TRAINING, AT A COST NOT TO EXCEED $50,000.00.
BACKGROUND:
Acquiring two new canines in the immediate future will allow sufficient time to acquire, train, and make the canines’ street ready for law enforcement service prior to the retirement of our existing canine.
As in the past, these canines must be purchased when they are available. Therefore, in order to ensure that we acquire the best canines available and do not lose the dogs to another agency, the Administration requests that the Commission authorize the City Manager, Assistant City Manager or the Chief of Police to execute a sales agreement at the time of purchase. These agreements historically referenced the exact canine being purchased and cannot be executed in advance.
In all probability, we will be purchasing the dogs from the same vendor that provided the original canines. However, there is a possibility that another vendor may be utilized. Based on the uncertainty of availability and the amount of the purchase I am requesting that we waive bidding.
Historically, the department has had three K-9 teams and was reduced to two in 2015, due to the retirement of one of the K-9 teams, and this position was never replaced. In January 2019, another K-9 officer and canine will be retiring; therefore, I am requesting that we reinstate this unit back to three K-9 teams. By initiating a third K-9 team there will be complete coverage with a canine team on each of the two night platoons where canine use is most called upon. The third K-9 team will be utilized as a daytime K-9, covering shifts on both daytime platoons.
There is an additional cost to outfit one vehicle with all the necessary canine equipment which will be completed by our current vendor. Currently we have two available spare canine cars that can be utilized in the interim for the new handlers until a new vehicle and the current vehicle is available for use.
Due to the law enforcement need for this expenditure, and absent appropriated funds, I am respectfully requesting to fund this acquisition via the Federal Justice Law Enforcement Trust Fund account and to waive bidding. This acquisition is an appropriate expenditure under permissible usages of equitable shared funds that are necessary to perform official law enforcement operations.
RECOMMENDATION: Approval
FISCAL IMPACT: 117-1810-521.30-01
Not to exceed $50,000.00
Federal Justice Forfeiture Operating Expenses
CONTACT PERSON: Jonathan S. Shaw, Chief of Police