City Council Meeting Date: August 21, 2018
To: Mayor and City Council
City Administrator
From: Monte Nelson, Chief of Police
Title
Consider Resolution Approving Budget Amendment for 2018 Polaris Ranger-Special Patrol Vehicle to be Purchased in 2018 utilizing the Vehicle and Equipment Fund.
Body
Action Requested:
The Northfield City Council is asked to approve the attached Resolution authorizing the purchase of a Special Patrol Vehicle for the Northfield Police Department. This Resolution is to approve a budget amendment to purchase a 2018 Polaris Ranger UTV using the Vehicle and Equipment Fund. This Resolution will require a super majority (5/7) vote of the Council.
Summary Report:
The Northfield Police Department has identified an increased need for a Special Patrol Vehicle that can be used for special events, response to unusual incidents, and patrol of areas not easily accessible to normal squad cars. Polaris Industries Government Division has designed a line of their Utility Task Vehicles (UTV's) specifically for Law Enforcement (LE). The Ranger UTV is now available with fully enclosed cab, heat/AC, and a full line of LE related equipment including emergency lights, siren, rescue cot/basket, computer mounts, and more. These vehicles are designed to function as a squad car, but they offer the ability to respond and patrol to locations a normal squad cannot safely travel.
The Northfield Police Department believes the purchase of a Ranger UTV will benefit the department and community. Similar UTV's are in use by NAFRS, Rice County Sheriff's Office, Apple Valley PD, and other police and fire agencies in Minnesota. In Northfield, the UTV would be helpful/necessary for Special/Community Events, patrol of remote areas (parks, bike trails, college trails, and nature areas,) parking enforcement, community outreach and PR, towing speed and message board trailers, special rescue and search incidents, disaster/flood response, inclement weather patr...
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