TITLE
The Mayor and City Council shall discuss and possibly take action on approving a purchase of two MCC 7500 dispatch consoles from Creative Communications in an amount not to exceed $38,749 and the technology component related to the purchasing of the two consoles from Motorola Solutions, Inc. in an amount not to exceed $113,940. Staff is requesting Council consider a transfer of $152,689 from General Fund, Contingency (10010000-99000) to Police Support, Computer Equipment/Software (10022124-67744) to cover the costs for these two dispatch consoles and associated technology components. Discussion and Action.
AGENDA ITEM DESCRIPTION
Since inception of the Maricopa Police Department (MPD), the City has contracted with Pinal County for police dispatch services. This year's expenditure for those services is approximately $769,000. As part of the City's effort to reduce dispatching fees (as presented at the April 3, 2012 City Council Regular Meeting), the City of Buckeye has agreed in principle to provide police dispatch services at an estimated annual cost of approximately $570,000. The exact costs will be itemized and presented under a separate and future action related to a formal IGA that is currently in the review process.
As part of the discussions to implement this new contract with Buckeye, the City determined it is in its best interest to purchase two complete dispatch consoles. The consoles will be housed and utilized by Buckeye to provide police dispatch services for the MPD, but will remain the property of the City of Maricopa. These new consoles have an extended life expectancy and are portable, meaning they can be moved in the event the City identifies another means for public safety dispatching services. The $38,749 is a maximum figure as there is strong indication money may be saved through the purchase of smaller furniture footprints dependent upon the final room configuration at Buckeye, which is under renovation.
The proposed dispatch consoles require two distinct components in order to function. One component is related to technology, provided by Motorola Solutions, Inc., and the other is for furniture, provided by Creative Communications, to house the technology. This agenda item combines both operational components into one action for ease of discussion, even though two vendors are involved for their respective components.
In addition to projected lower costs for police dispatch services, this partnership with Buckeye will allow the MPD the benefit of joining the Regional Wireless Cooperative (RWC) to provide interoperable and secure radio communications. On April 17, 2012 the City Council approved an action to purchase 64 Digital Portable Radios and 57 Dual Band Mobile Radios from Motorola Solutions, Inc., in the amount of $784,307, as a first step toward joining the RWC. That action, combined with this proposed purchase towards new police dispatching services, affords Maricopa citizens a more effective and responsive police department combined with reduced dispatching costs.
The City's Purchasing Division has worked closely with the Police Department on this proposal and has reviewed the Creative Communications and Motorola Solutions, Inc. contracts and determined the contracts meet the City's Purchasing Code.
STAFF RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends the Mayor and City Council approve the purchase of two MCC 7500 dispatch consoles from Creative Communications in an amount not to exceed $38,749 and the technology component, related to the purchase of the two consoles, from Motorola Solutions, Inc. in an amount not to exceed $113,940. Staff recommends the Mayor and City Council approve a transfer of $152,689 from General Fund, Contingency (10010000-99000) to Police Support, Computer Equipment/Software (10022124-67744) to cover the costs for these two dispatch consoles and associated technology components.