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 patrol, Reserve Officer patrol, and more. The department estimates the vehicle would last 12-14 years before replacement.
The Chief planned to seek approval for the purchase of a UTV in the 2019 CEP. The Police Vehicle CEP has been monitored and modified over the last four years to better track vehicle purchases and plan for extended use of department vehicles. As an example, the 2018 Police Vehicle CEP originally had four squads scheduled for replacement. The 2018 CEP was changed and that number was reduced to three squad cars replaced in 2018. The 2019 Police Vehicle CEP currently has three vehicles scheduled for replacement/purchase. The Chief planned the purchase of a Ranger UTV as one of those vehicles in the 2019 CEP. These types of CEP purchases are generally funded from the Vehicle and Equipment Fund.
While gathering information on the LE model Ranger UTV, the Polaris Government - LE representative offered to sell Northfield a 2018 Ranger 4-door demonstration model at a significantly reduced price. The 2018 demo model would normally sell for approximately $36,367, as it is equipped. Polaris is offering to sell the 2018 demo model to Northfield for $23,000. This 2018 demo model is a 4-door, 5 passenger, LE model equipped with emergency lighting, siren/PA system, heat/AC, computer mount, cage/backseat divider, LE body panels and racks. The Ranger has approximately 600 miles on it. Polaris will offer the standard one year warranty from date of purchase. See the attached quotes and pictures for details.
Polaris Government Division offers “soul source” pricing and availability for the LE model Rangers; these LE models cannot be purchased from regular Polaris dealers. For comparison, the Chief received a quote from LaCanne’s Marine in Faribault for a regular 2018 Ranger that is the same base model as the LE model, but without specialized LE equipment. The purchase price would be $22,388. Any LE equipment added to this vehicle would cost thousands of dollars.
The Chief recommends the City Council approve the attached Resolution approving a budget amendment for the purchase of the 2018 Ranger LE Demo Model using the Vehicle and Equipment Fund.
Alternative Options:
Option #1: Council could choose not to approve the purchase of a Ranger UTV at this time. The Chief would seek approval to purchase a new 2019 LE Model Ranger UTV in the 2019 Police Vehicle CEP. The current purchase price for a 2019 model with LE accessories would be $33,000 - $36,000. This amount is based on the attached quote for the 2019 Ranger purchased with minimal equipment ($28,664 w/ LE body panels and Rescue Skid) plus estimated costs for additional LE equipment such as emergency lighting, siren/PA, and light bar. This option would cost the City an additional $10,000 - $13,000 compared to purchasing the demo model now.
Option #2: Council could choose not to approve the purchase of a Ranger UTV at all. The Police Department would continue to rent a John Deere UTV (2018 cost $400) for the DJJD celebration, and potentially during other community events.
Financial Impacts:
If Council approves the budget amendment and purchase of the 2018 Demo Model Ranger UTV, the cost from Reserve Funds/CEP would be $23,000. The department would expect to purchase additional equipment to outfit the Ranger, as is done each year when new squads are purchased. The exact cost will depend on the actual equipment items chosen for this vehicle. These additional equipment purchases are normally paid from the Police budget, General Supplies line.
Tentative Timelines:
If the purchase is approved, the department would expect to accept delivery of the Ranger by September 4.