HomeMy WebLinkAboutPublic Saftey Cmsn - Loan of Sokkia Total Station Equipment0
CITY OF PALM DESERT
COMMUNITY SERVICES DEPARTMENT
STAFF REPORT
REQUEST: APPROVAL OF LOAN OF USED SOKKIA TOTAL STATION
EQUIPMENT
DATE: January 27, 2005
CONTENTS: Memorandum from Palm Desert Police Lt. Steve Thetford.
January 12, 2005, Public Safety Commission meeting minutes
Recommendation:
By Minute Motion, approve the recommendation made to the City Council by the Palm
Desert Public Safety Commission at its meeting of January 12, 2005, to loan the Police
Department's used Sokkia Total Station equipment to the San Jacinto Police Department.
Executive Summary:
The Palm Desert Police Department received a request from the San Jacinto Police
Department to loan that agency a used Sokkia Total Station that is currently being used
in Palm Desert only as a back-up piece of equipment.
Background:
Several years ago, the City of Palm Desert purchased a Sokkia Total station for use by its
traffic units to collect precise measurements at the scene of fatal traffic collisions.
Recently, the Cove Communities Public Safety Commission purchased a newer model,
which has proven less cumbersome to operate and has improved data processing
software. At this time the unit purchased in 1996 is being housed at the Palm Desert
Police Department as a standby or back-up unit. While the purchase price of this
equipment was $15,000, its current exchange price is valued at $500.
The City of San Jacinto, which began contracting for law enforcement services with the
Riverside County Sheriffs Department this past year, is currently experiencing some
serious issues with regard to traffic and do not have access to the above described
equipment at this time. Use of the equipment being housed in Palm Desert would assist
them in their ability to document various information collected at the scene of major traffic
collisions. If the City Council approves this request, the City of San Jacinto has advised
that the loaned system would be returned to Palm Desert whenever needed and that that
agency would bear the cost of any upgrades, repairs, and/or maintenance required to keep
it operational.
Therefore, staff recommends that the City Council approve the recommendation of the
Palm Desert Public Safety Commission and allow the Palm Desert Police Department to
loan the Sokkia Total System equipment purchased in 1996 to be loaned to the San
Jacinto Police Department.
PATRICIA SCULLY, CFE
SENIOR MANAGEMENT ANALYST
SHEILA R. GILL N
PAUL GIBSON
TREASURER/FINANCE DIRECTOR
CARLOS L. O�'Yr EGA
ASSISTANT CITY MANA/CITY CLERK CITY MANAGER
PALM DESERT POLICE
DEPARTMENT
Served by the Riverside County Sheriffs Department
Bob Doyle, Sheriff - Coroner
Bob Doyle, Sheriff - Coroner
November 30, 2004
TO: Public Safety Commission
FROM: Lieutenant Steve Thetford
SUBJECT: Used Sokkia Total Station
Recommendation:
By Minute Motion, recommend that the Public Safety Commission recommend to the
City Council that the Palm Desert Police Department be allowed to provide the San
Jacinto Police Department with our used Sokkia Total Station.
Executive Summary:
In January 1996 the City of Palm Desert purchased a Sokkia Total Station for the Palm
Desert Police Department Traffic Unit. The Sokkia Total Station was used to collect
precise measurements at the scene of fatal traffic collisions. Initially two deputies were
trained to use this system at a dealer school. They then returned and trained the other
members of the team. The system was used for collisions and traffic personnel were often
requested to assist with homicide investigations (scene documentation). The system was
effective, but proved to be difficult to use due to the software provided by the vendor and
the fact that it required two officers to operate the system. Recently, the Cove
Communities purchased a new Sokkia Total Station (11OM) which permits one person to
measure a scene and posses drastically improved data processing software.
On June 1, 2004, The City of San Jacinto began to contract police services with the
Riverside County Sheriff's Department. The City of San Jacinto has serious traffic
problems with numerous serious injuries and fatal traffic collisions. They are currently
still using the measuring tape technique to document major traffic collisions. This
process is very time consuming and is very labor intensive. The use of our used Sokkia
Total Station by the San Jacinto Police Department would greatly assist their ability to
document their major traffic collisions. If this request is approved the San Jacinto
Police Department advised that they would make the system available to the Palm Desert
Police Department if our current system is out for repairs or is otherwise unavailable.
Cost Analysis:
The used Sokkia Total System was purchased for approximately $15,000 in 1996,
however, we were advised by the manufacturer that the system is only valued at $500.00
for exchange. The depreciation of the system value was based on the current systems
upgraded technology and the fact that the newer system can be operated by one officer.
There would be no additional expense to the City of Palm Desert or the Palm Desert
Police Department. Any upgrades or repairs needed to bring the used Sokkia Total
System into optimum working order would be at the expense of the City of San Jacinto
and the San Jacinto Police Department.
It would be the recommendation of the Palm Desert Police Department that we be
allowed to provide the San Jacinto Police Department with access to our used Sokkia
Total System. The System would benefit their agency and would still be available it be
used by us as a back up unit.
2
PALM DESERT PUBLIC SAFETY COMMISSION
JANUARY 12, 2005, PRELIMINARY MEETING MINUTES
PAGE5
F. Loan of Used Sokkia Total Station
Lt. Thetford reported the equipment being suggested for loan to San Jacinto
will be upgraded by that agency and will still be available for use in Palm
Desert as needed. Upon inquiry by Commissioner Nethery, he responded
that San Jacinto is currently contracts with the Riverside County Sheriff's
Department for law enforcement services.
Upon a motion by Vice Chair Lebel and second by Commissioner
Nethery, by unanimous vote the Commission voted to recommend to
the City Council that the Palm Desert Police Department be allowed to
provided the San Jacinto Police Department with use of its Sokkia Total
Station.
VII. CONTINUED BUSINESS
None
VIII. OLD BUSINESS
None
IX. REPORT ON CITY COUNCIL ACTIONS
Upon inquiry by Chairman Larsh, ACM/PIO Gilligan responded that it is anticipated
that an appointment to fill the expired term of Kenneth Carr is anticipated within the
next two months.
Upon inquiry by Commissioner Nethery, Mrs. Gilligan responded that his term has
been extended until he is reappointed by the City Council.
X. REPORTS AND REMARKS
A. Update on Westfield Shoppingtown Palm Desert Substation
Lt. Thetford reported that minor construction occurred to make this facility