CC 2014-04-22_10.a. Agreement for 911 Public Safety Dispatch Services
MEMORANDUM
TO: CITY COUNCIL
FROM: STEVEN N. ANNIBALI, CHIEF OF POLICE
SUBJECT: CONSIDERATION OF AN AGREEMENT WITH THE COUNTY OF
SAN LUIS OBISPO SHERIFF FOR 911 PUBLIC SAFETY DISPATCH
SERVICES
DATE: APRIL 22, 2014
RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended the City Council approve and authorize the City Manager to enter
into an agreement with the County of San Luis Obispo Sheriff for 911 public safety
dispatch services.
IMPACT ON FINANCIAL AND PERSONNEL RESOURCES:
The proposed cost is based on a three year contract proposal, including the $89,588
that the County has projected for the remaining FY13-14. There are funds available
in the existing FY2013-14 Police Department budget that will cover the $89,588 for
the remainder of the fiscal year.
The three year cost for FY2014-15 through FY 2016-17 is $322,576, $352,839 and
$379,837 respectively. These costs are based on a staffing level of three dispatcher
positions. For reference, in FY13-14, the City of Arroyo Grande budgeted
approximately $500,000 for staffing of five full-time dispatchers and one part-time
dispatcher.
BACKGROUND:
At the October 8, 2013 meeting, the City Council approved staff’s recommendations
for temporary relocation of the Police Department during the construction of the
proposed police station improvements. The recommendations included entering into
an agreement with the Sheriff’s Department for temporary use of their dispatch center
during this period.
In 2013, the San Luis Obispo County Grand Jury released a report regarding the
“Consolidation of Public Safety Dispatch Systems”. The report focused on the
feasibility and cost savings of consolidating dispatch services.
Item 10.a. - Page 1
CITY COUNCIL
CONSIDERATION OF AN AGREEMENT WITH THE COUNTY OF SAN LUIS
OBISPO SHERIFF FOR 911 PUBLIC SAFETY DISPATCH SERVICES
APRIL 22, 2014
PAGE 2
On February 3, 2014, the City of Arroyo Grande dispatch personnel were relocated to
the Sheriff’s Department dispatch center to operate at that location on a temporary
basis during the remodel of the police station. The relocation of dispatch personnel
was also intended to serve as a pilot project regarding the feasibility of contracting
with the Sheriff’s Department for dispatch services.
ANALYSIS OF ISSUES:
As part of the Police Department relocation project, the Police Department enhanced
their connectivity of radios, telephones and information technology systems with the
Sheriff’s Department in order to provide for the temporary dispatch measures. The
communications enhancement was successful and currently the Police Department
and Sheriff’s Department have complete inter-operability with these systems.
During this temporary relocation, discussions continued with the Sheriff’s Department
regarding the feasibility of contracting dispatch services from them. The primary
focus of the contract proposal is to increase the level of service to the citizens of
Arroyo Grande by providing increased dispatch staffing levels at any given time,
provide full Emergency Medical Dispatch services, improvement of multi-agency
coordination in emergencies and reduce costs through the economy of scale.
The Sheriff’s Department’s proposed contract provides for 911 public safety dispatch
services for the City of Arroyo Grande. Police calls for service would be handled by
Sheriff’s dispatchers and fire calls for service would be transferred to the City of
Grover Beach who provides dispatch services for the Five Cities Fire Authority.
During this temporary arrangement for dispatch services, three employees have
resigned to work for other cities, and another employee is scheduled to be hired by
the Sheriff’s Department upon contract approval. The Sheriff’s Department was
willing to hire three dispatchers from the City of Arroyo Grande. Current employees
would have to apply and go through the Sheriff’s Department background and hiring
process. To date, there is one current employee left who has not applied. The
employee has been notified that under Article 41 of the Police Officers’ Association
Memorandum of Understanding, their position will be subject to lay-off should this
contract be approved. The City has met and conferred with the Police Officers’
Association on the effects of contracting out dispatch services to the Sheriff’s
Department and all concerns have been resolved.
Both the Police and Sheriff’s Department have resolved the logistical, technical and
procedural issues regarding contracted dispatch services and are prepared to move
forward with the contract proposal. The agreement was extensively reviewed and
revised by the City Attorney’s Office and several provisions were negotiated between
the County Counsel’s Office and the City Attorney’s Office. The final agreement has
been approved by the City Attorney.
Item 10.a. - Page 2
CITY COUNCIL
CONSIDERATION OF AN AGREEMENT WITH THE COUNTY OF SAN LUIS
OBISPO SHERIFF FOR 911 PUBLIC SAFETY DISPATCH SERVICES
APRIL 22, 2014
PAGE 3
The Sheriff’s Department is proposing a three-year agreement. This will provide for
fiscally predictable dispatch services and a long-term commitment for both parties.
The first year potential savings to the City of Arroyo Grande is approximately
$177,000. Additionally, the contract provides for a renewal clause that limits any
potential increases to a cap of 10% of the previous year’s dispatch services.
ALTERNATIVES:
The following alternatives are provided for the Council’s consideration:
1. Approve the agreement;
2. Do not approve the agreement and direct staff to re-establish dispatch
services in the City of Arroyo Grande following the police building remodel
project
3. Provide staff direction.
ADVANTAGES:
The proposal will address the need for adequate dispatcher staffing, provide
enhanced dispatch and technology services and reduce costs for dispatch services.
DISADVANTAGES:
The main disadvantage is the need to coordinate communications with a contract
service provider and the cost to provide fire dispatch services through the City of
Grover Beach.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW:
No environmental review is required for this item.
PUBLIC NOTIFICATION AND COMMENTS:
The Agenda was posted in front of City Hall on Thursday, April 17, 2014 and on the
City’s website on Friday, April 18, 2014. No comments were received.
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