REPORT TO THE CITY COUNCIL
FROM: PACO BALDERRAMA, Chief of Police
Police Department
BY: MINDY CASTO, Deputy Chief
Support Division
SUBJECT
Title
Actions pertaining to the 2024 Selective Traffic Enforcement Program (STEP) grant
1. Authorize the Chief of Police to accept additional grant funding of $270,000 for the 2024 STEP grant awarded to the Fresno Police Department from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) through the California Office of Traffic Safety (OTS) for a total of $870,000
2. Authorize the Chief of Police or his designee to execute the revised agreement, extensions and all related documentation applicable to the 2024 STEP grant
3. ***RESOLUTION - Adopt the 39th Amendment to the Annual Appropriation Resolution (AAR) No. 2023-185 to appropriate $270,000 for the Police Department’s 2024 STEP grant (Requires 5 Affirmative Votes)(Subject to Mayor’s Veto)
4. ***RESOLUTION - Adopt a Resolution authorizing the purchase of 364 mobile printers and power systems supplies in an amount not to exceed $250,000, with Barcodes, LLC without advertised competitive bidding (Requires 5 Affirmative Votes)(Subject to Mayor’s Veto)
Body
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends that Council authorize acceptance of an additional $270,000 in grant funding from the OTS, for a total of $870,000, allowing the Chief of Police, or his designee to enter into and execute the agreement and all required documents, and adopt a resolution suspending competitive bidding under the sole source exception, not to exceed $250,000 to Barcodes, LLC, for the purchase of 364 mobile printers and power systems supplies as a sole-source provider based on the compatibility with our current Crossroads software program and is compliant with the Made in America TAA and adopt the 39th Amendment to AAR No 2023-185 to appropriate $270,000 in funding into the FY 2024 budget. Funds have been awarded for the 2024 Selective Traffic Enforcement Program grant to the Fresno Police Department’s Traffic Bureau.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The City of Fresno was awarded grant funds of $600,000 from the Office of Traffic Safety to undertake the Selective Traffic Enforcement Program (STEP) and approved by Council on September 28, 2023. The grant period is from October 1, 2023, through September 30, 2024. The goal of the STEP program is to reduce the number of persons killed and injured in crashes involving alcohol, speed, distracted driving, and other primary collision factors. In December 2023, the Office of Traffic Safety (OTS) notified the department of additional funding in the amount of $270,000. These additional grant funds will be used to fund officer overtime for community collaboration engagements and to purchase 364 mobile printers under the sole source option both supporting the grant goals and objectives of the grant. There is no match requirement.
Since 1994 Barcodes, LLC is North America’s leading provider of barcode, mobile computing and RFID solutions for commercial and governmental customers.
BACKGROUND
The additional funding from the OTS grant for the STEP program will pay for overtime for community collaborative engagement conducted by members of the department’s Traffic Unit and mobile printers and power systems supplies. Zebra ZQ521 mobile printers are unique in that they are the only TAA compliant printers that work with the Crossroads software used by the Police Department and also meet the Buy American requirements of the purchase. The Fresno Police department is required to use printers compatible with the Crossroads ticket writing software, which has been used by the Department since 2011. The Police Department researched the market for mobile printers that would meet our needs. Other vendors could not provide compatible printers that use our existing software, which we have been using since 2011, or the power supplies needed, or discounts on the printers, in order to come in below our budget of $250,000. All other mobile printers on the market, regardless of whether they would work for our needs, do not meet the “Buy America” requirements mandated by the funding agency (OTS/NHTSA).
After thorough research and evaluation, it has been determined that Barcodes, LLC is the sole source capable of providing the specialized Zebra ZQ521 mobile printers that meet the unique needs and technical specifications required by the Police Department. The Police Department has identified the need for 364 mobile printers to be procured from Barcodes, LLC. The mobile printers and power systems supplies are compatible with the existing Crossroads software program, electronic citation devices utilized by the department to upload traffic information (i.e., traffic accidents, moving violations) as well as for the residents of the city of Fresno to obtain traffic accident reports. The mobile printers allow the traffic officers to print the citation in the field thus allowing the officer to get back in service quicker. Costs include the purchase of the printers and power supply accessories.
The engagement component will include having conversations regarding traffic safety to both share information and receive input from the community members.
ENVIRONMENTAL FINDINGS
This is not a “project” for the purposes of CEQA, pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15378.
LOCAL PREFERENCE
Local preference was not considered because accepting grant funds does not include a bid or award of a construction or service contract.
FISCAL IMPACT
There will be no net impact on the general fund. The grant provides full cost recovery for all overtime and equipment for this program. Expenses will be claimed and reimbursed on a quarterly basis. This funding will enable the Fresno Police Department to continue its efforts to educate the public and reduce the number of persons killed and injured in traffic collisions within the City of Fresno.
Attachment:
Grant Agreement
39th Annual Appropriation Resolution No. 2023-185
Sole Source Resolution to Barcodes, LLC