Memorandum 14-059 Police Vehicle Purchase

Memorandum 14-059

DATE:

March 11, 2014

TO:

Walt Wrede, City Manager

FROM:

Mark Robl, Chief of Police

SUBJECT:

Vehicle Purchase

The purchase of one new vehicle for the police department was approved in the 2014 budget. We would like to buy a new Ford Explorer through the state’s vehicle purchasing program. Public Works recently solicited bids from three different Ford dealers and found that the state’s program offered the best pricing. Explorer’s are working out very well for the State Trooper’s, Seward Police Department and other agencies in Alaska. They are realizing much better fuel economy than our current four wheel drive vehicles.

We plan on outfitting the Explorer through Alaska Safety in Anchorage. Alaska Safety is the primary outfitter for the Troopers, Anchorage Police Department and almost all public safety agencies in Alaska. They have negotiated favorable contracts with all of the major suppliers of public safety equipment and offer the best pricing available. They have been outfitting our police and fire vehicles for years and do not currently have a viable competitor in the state. Part of the cost of outfitting this vehicle will be paid by our insurance company to compensate us for a vehicle totaled out by a drunk driver last year.

We request council authorization to purchase a new Ford Explorer with the police package from Kendall Ford for the state contract price of $25,845 and to outfit it through Alaska Safety.

Fiscal Note: Expenditure, $25,845, 152-0382-5902