R2000-06 AUTHORIZING PURCHASE - Laserfiche WebLink

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i `•' M • ♦ DECATUR P OLICE DEPARTMENT MEMORANDUM #00-12 February 7, 2000 _ To: Mayor Terry Howley and Decatur City Council From: Steve G ity Manger Michael L. en, Chief of Police ^M�� Subject: Police Mobile Command Post Purpose: The purpose f this memorandum is to secure council approval for the purchase of a new police mobile comm d post utilizing funding through the Local Law Enforcement Block Grant. T'he recommendation from police staff is that the contract be awarded to Fazber Specialty Vehicles in Columbus, Ohio at a cost of$173,470. Background: In July 1999, council approved the application for the Local Law Enforcement Block Grant totaling $186,741, to be utilized for the purchase a new mobile command post and hire back gang suppression patrols. These funds were approved by the Federal Grants Administration in November 1999 with the allocation of funds on January 31, 2000. As a result of extensive research on mobile command vehicles,police staff choose to purchase a command post utilizing the Winnebago/Ford chassis designed vehicle. This decision was based on cost, durability, dealer location and customer satisfaction. In the area of mobile command posts there are only two basic designs that offer a suitable vehicle that met the specifications established by police staff. The first design utilizes a Grumman body, which is an all aluminum body similar to those found on a Greyhound bus. The second design is the all fiberglass style body from Winnebago. The Winnebago company designs and builds mobile travel homes and specially designed mobile command vehicles. Although the Grumman vehicle is very functional, the life span for this vehicle is no longer than that of the Winnebago, (20 to 25 years) and the cost is more than double. Research was also conducted on a suitable dealer in the central United States area that could design and build this vehicle and provide the service, quality and cost as specified. The only dealer that met this criteria and had a significant customer base for comparisun was Farber Specialty Vehicles in Columbus, Ohio. Farber is a Winnebago dealer that has a division that specifically designs, fabricates and builds specialty mobile vehicles. Police staff has already met with Farber and developed final specifications and a final construction blueprint.