City of Culver City, California
City Council Agenda Item Report
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends the City Council authorize a purchase order to Galpin Ford for
two fully equipped Commercial Enforcement Vehicles, for the Police Department’s
Traffic Enforcement Section and authorize the acceptance of a donation from the
Rosalande and Arthur Gilbert Foundation to cover the cost of one of the vehicles.
A four-fifths (4/5) vote is required for this budget amendment.
BACKGROUND:
From January 2006 to September 2006, the Traffic Section of the Operations
Bureau implemented, on a trial basis, a second Commercial Enforcement Officer.
The purpose of implementing this second Commercial Enforcement Officer was to
effectively evaluate and enforce the ever increasing number of commercial vehicles
traveling within the city. The recent increase in commercial vehicles is due in large
part to several large construction projects in and around the city. These projects
include the 405 Freeway expansion project, the Symantec construction project in
Fox Hills, as well as the Playa Vista residential development project.
During this trial period, the Police Department’s commercial enforcement officers
contacted numerous commercial vehicles that were operating beyond their physical
limitations. This is due to vehicle(s) being overloaded for their weight limits set forth
by the manufacturer. When this violation is committed, the safety of the vehicle is
Meeting Date: January 8, 2007 Item Number: A-5
AGENDA ITEM: Award a Purchase Order to Galpin Ford Inc., for Two Police
Commercial Enforcement Vehicles and Authorize the Acceptance of a Donation
from the Rosalande and Arthur Gilbert Foundation to Cover the Cost of One of
the Vehicles.
Contact Person/Dept.: Lieutenant Chris
Gutierrez
Phone Number: (310) 253-6251
Fiscal Impact: Yes [X] No [] General Fund: Yes [] No [X]
Public Hearing: [] Action Item: [X] Attachments: [X]
Public Notification: Master Notification List 12/18/06.
Department Approval:
Donald Pedersen (12/18/06)
City Manager Approval:
Jerry B. Fulwood (01/03/07)
City Controller Approval:
Marlee Chang (01/03/07)
City Attorney Approval:
Heather Iker (01/03/07)City of Culver City, California
City Council Agenda Item Report
severely compromised. Brakes, chassis, wheels, tires, and steering components are
stressed beyond their service limits and failure of these components can result in a
catastrophic collision. These vehicles range between 15,000 lbs to 80,000 lbs in
weight and pose a serious public safety hazard.
During enforcement contacts with these vehicles, officers often found serious
mechanical defects with components that are related to the safe operation of the
vehicle. In early September 2006, officers investigated an accident that involved a
sanitation vehicle that was involved in a roll over collision. This investigation
revealed that the truck was 10,000 lbs overweight, which contributed to the instability
of the vehicle and played a primary factor in the collision. Two weeks later, officers
investigated an injury collision that involved a dump truck and car.
Officers have also had numerous contacts with commercial vehicles transporting
hazardous materials with serious violations that threaten the public safety. For
example, in June 2006 officers encountered a vehicle that was transporting propane
cylinders not properly secured and pyrotechnics (explosives) not secured or
packaged properly. This required a major street closure as well as a response from
City and County emergency entities including fire and bomb squad personnel. In
addition, many of the drivers operating these vehicles did not posses the proper
licensing and training to transport hazardous materials
.
During these enforcement contacts, officers find many of the drivers are unlicensed
or not properly licensed for the type of commercial vehicle being driven. This, too, is
a serious threat to public safety as these drivers lack the proper training and
experience in operating these potentially hazardous vehicles.
Statistical Recap:
During the ninety day period between January and April 2006, the Commercial
Enforcement Unit compiled a statistical recap of the number of commercial violations
cited, as well as the dollar amount for the fines associated with these citations. This
yielded the following results:
Culver City Municipal Code violations, for commercial vehicles driving on
restricted streets: 363 violations, equating to fines of $139,755.
Axle and bridge (physical) weights in excess of the State allowable limits, for
safe vehicle operation and limiting damage to roadways and the
infrastructure: 47 violations, equating to fines of $43,669.City of Culver City, California
City Council Agenda Item Report
Commercial vehicle declared weight violations. These violations are for
commercial vehicles found to be operating with a gross vehicle weight in
excess of the fees on file with DMV, thus committing registration fraud: 201
violations, equating to fines of $611,623.
Commercial driver’s log book, accounting for driver’s time behind the wheel,
to limit excess driving and potential accidents: 11 violations, equating to fines
of $7,330.
Commercial vehicles over loaded or loaded improperly constituting an
immediate public hazard: 52 violations, equating to fines of $9,183.
Motor Carrier Permits issued by a branch of the DMV, to monitor commercial
vehicles that are for hire: 80 violations, equating to fines of $18,104.
Driver’s license requirements, including, but not limited to, unlicensed driver,
suspended driver’s license and drivers found to be operating vehicles that
they were not licensed and qualified to drive: 83 violations, equating to fines
of $26,889.
Equipment violations, either equipment found to be missing or in disrepair on
commercial vehicles: 58 violations, equating to fines of $9,311.
Tow truck violations, related to the equipment and the safe transportation of
disabled vehicles: 27 violations, equating to fines of $4,763.
Miscellaneous violations, including hazardous material transportation
violations, and other commercial infractions not listed above: 92 violations,
equating to fines of $18,329.
This ninety day period yielded a total of 1,014 violations cited. These citations have
positively impacted the safety of the citizens of Culver City, improved traffic flow
throughout the city, as well as prolonging the life span of the roadways and
infrastructure. The total amounts of fines related to these citations are $888,996.
Associated Revenue:
The revenue generated from vehicle code fines show a significant increases since
fiscal year 2003-04 due to the implementation of the enforcement effort. It is
expected that with the increased enforcement units, the revenue will be increased
accordingly. It is evident, based on the Department’s statistics that the majority of
these fines are directly related to the implementation of the second Commercial City of Culver City, California
City Council Agenda Item Report
Enforcement Officer. It should be noted that the major responsibility of the
Commercial Enforcement Units is not generating revenues but to enforce the City’s
code for safety reasons.
Vehicles and Equipment:
The Department is in need of purchasing two new Commercial Enforcement
Vehicles.
For a second full time Commercial Enforcement Officer to function properly, the only
equipment needed to purchase is a pickup truck. The Officer is currently working
with a black and white police car, which is difficult to use due to the size and weight
of the scales, measuring pole, and various tools and manuals that are required to be
carried in the field. When a commercial enforcement truck is obtained, this car can
be placed back into the fleet for everyday patrol usage.
The vehicle dedicated to this position should be purchased with the following
requirements:
Full size pick up truck, (Ford 150XLT regular cab) with a fiberglass bed cover (Snug
Top), spray in bed liner (for protection of the bed) and sliding scale rack. This
vehicle will need to be equipped with authorized emergency equipment and radio.
The approximate cost of this fully equipped vehicle, ready to go into service would
be less then $27,000.
Additionally, the commercial enforcement vehicle, #2045, that is currently being
used is in serious need of replacement. This vehicle is a 1992 Ford F250 and is
becoming costly to operate and replacement parts are becoming difficult to locate.
As this vehicle becomes older, it will be in need of increased maintenance. When
this vehicle is replaced, the current emergency equipment (code-3) and radio
equipment can be re-used on the replacement vehicle defraying some of the cost.
When this vehicle is removed from daily service, it can be retained by the Police
Department to be used by Supply and Services, as well as the Range Master, for
transporting needed equipment and supplies.
FISCAL ANALYSIS:
The funding for one of these Commercial Enforcement Vehicles can be obtained
from the Asset Forfeiture account and this will be a one time expense. As this truck
will be replacing a vehicle in the fleet, fuel and any maintenance have already been
budgeted. Additionally, there should be a substantial decrease in fuel usage due to City of Culver City, California
City Council Agenda Item Report
the new truck having a smaller and more efficient engine. There will also be a cost
savings by the new trucks having a factory warranty for the first three years.
Colin Gilbert, an active Culver City Police Department Reserve Officer and board
member of the Rosalande and Arthur Gilbert Foundation has indicated that his
foundation is willing to pay for all fees and costs associated with supplying the
second Commercial Enforcement Vehicle. The only stipulation is a letter from the
Police Department to the Foundation explaining how the vehicle will be used. The
Rosalande and Arthur Gilbert Foundation will donate the cost of the vehicle to the
Culver City Police Department Emergency Fund. A check will then be written to the
truck dealership from the Culver City Emergency Fund and upon delivery of the
vehicle, the title will be transferred to the City to complete the process.
It should be noted that the future amortized replacement cost for these two vehicles is
approx. $2,775 annually for each vehicle (based on eleven years of life cycle). The
additional amortization cost for these two vehicles in the amount of $5,550 needs to be
included in the coming budget year.
ATTACHMENTS:
1) Estimate for purchase of full size, (Ford 150XLT regular cab)
2) Memo to Chief Pedersen, regarding additional Commercial Enforcement Officer
MOTION:
That the City Council:
1. Authorize a budget amendment from Police Asset Seizure Fund to appropriate
the amount of $26,500.00 to purchase one of the Commercial Enforcement
Vehicles; and
2. Authorize the acceptance of a donation from the Rosalande and Arthur Gilbert
Foundation to cover the cost of the second Commercial Enforcement Vehicle; a
budget amendment will be made to record the receipt of this donation and
appropriate the purchase of the second Commercial Enforcement vehicles; and
3. Authorize a purchasing contract with Galpin Ford Inc., to furnish and deliver two
fully equipped Ford F150 Commercial Enforcement Vehicles; and
4. Authorize the City Attorney to prepare the necessary Documents and authorize
the City Manager to execute those documents on behalf of the City.