Title
Digital In-car Video Recording and Management System (B)
This item involves the purchase of six digital in-car video systems for the Gainesville Police Department from Department of Justice grant funding, already awarded to the City.
Explanation
On February 28, 2005, the City Commission approved the application and authorization to accept the grant, if awarded from the U.S. Department of Justice under the Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant (JAG). On July 19, 2005 the U.S. Department of Justice awarded the City of Gainesville $88,076 in grant funds for crime prevention education and technology enhancements. Those enhancements include the purchase of in-car video systems. The Gainesville Police Department reviewed seven (7) digital in-car video systems. Decatur Electronics of Decatur, Illinois, was the only manufacturer to meet all the Department's system specifications. Decatur Electronics submitted a bid for six (6) cameras and one (1) video management system for $40,929. The documentation of the review process and system configurations is available for review and is included in the back-up, provided by the Gainesville Police Department's Budget Office.
Fiscal Note
Grant funding from the Department of Justice in the amount of $40,929 has been allocated to the City of Gainesville for this project. No matching funds are required.
Recommendation
Recommended Motion: The City Commission authorize the issuance of a purchase order to Decatur Electronics of Decatur, Illinois, in an amount not to exceed $40,929, for the purchase of six (6) Gemini digital in-car video cameras and one (1) video management system.
Alternative Recommendation A: The City Commission decline authorization for the purchase of Decatur camera systems and direct staff to purchase a system from a different vendor. This would require selecting a vendor, which does not meet the Gainesville Police Department's needs and may cost more to purchase.
Alternative Recommendation B: The City Commission decline authorization for the purchase of any digital in-car camera systems. This action would require the return of grant dollars to the United States Department of Justice, resulting in the loss of $40,929 to the Gainesville Police Department.