CITY OF TALLAHASSEE
CITY COMMISSION AGENDA ITEM
ACTION REQUESTED ON: September 10, 2009
SUBJECT/TITLE: Accept Vehicle Donation from U.S. Marshals Service
TARGET ISSUE:

STATEMENT OF ISSUE

The Police Department requests approval to accept up to three vehicles as a donation from the U.S. Marshals Service. The Department actively participates in the U.S. Marshals Violent Fugitive Task Force with the goal of reducing the number of violent offenders on the streets of Tallahassee. Because of its participation the Department is eligible to receive vehicles purchased through the U.S. Marshals Service. The proposed donation includes funds to purchase new vehicles, fully equip the vehicles for emergency response, and a $6,000 allocation annually for fuel and maintenance per vehicle for three years. City Fleet Management concurs with the proposed acquisition of vehicles and will assist with procurement and maintenance activities.

The Office of Budget and Policy and Fleet Management have reviewed this item and concur with the recommendation herein.

RECOMMENDED ACTION

Option 1. Authorize acceptance of donated funds, up to $144,000, from the U.S. Marshals Service to purchase, operate, and maintain up to three vehicles for three years in support of the Violent Fugitive Task Force.

FISCAL IMPACT

The U.S. Marshals Service is offering to purchase and donate up to three vehicles with a maximum purchase price of $25,000 per vehicle. An additional $5,000 will be provided for each vehicle to be equipped for emergency response. Each vehicle purchased will also have $6,000 authorized annually for three years to reimburse the City of Tallahassee for fuel and maintenance costs. The total donation proposed by the U.S. Marshals Service is up to $144,000. All donated vehicles will be titled to the City of Tallahassee and, under terms of the memorandum of understanding between the Police Department and the U.S. Marshals Service, the City of Tallahassee will retain ownership of the vehicles after three years.

Dennis M. Jones, Tallahassee Police Department

Anita Favors Thompson, City Manager

For information, please contact: Greg Frost, 891-4411.

SUPPLEMENTAL MATERIAL/ISSUE ANALYSIS

HISTORY/FACTS & ISSUES

The North Florida Violent Fugitive Task Force was developed by the U.S. Marshals Service to assist in the apprehension of individuals who are wanted on State and/or Federal warrants for felony violations such as murder, sexual battery, robbery, kidnapping, etc. The task force is comprised of eight Florida counties (Franklin, Gadsden, Jefferson, Leon, Liberty, Madison, Taylor, and Wakulla), with four active agencies in Tallahassee (United States Marshals Service, Florida Department of Law Enforcement, Leon County Sheriff’s Office, and the Tallahassee Police Department). TPD has one full-time investigator assigned to the task force and a total of seven sworn personnel who have been deputized as U.S. Marshals to assist with the apprehension of violent fugitives. The Department has been an active member in the task force since its creation in 1998. Approximately 90% of the fugitives who are investigated by the task force involve TPD cases or fugitives frequenting the Tallahassee area.

CHARITABLE CONTRIBUTIONS

Policy is not applicable to this request.

OPTIONS

1. Authorize acceptance of donated funds, up to $144,000, from the U.S. Marshals Service to purchase, operate, and maintain up to three vehicles for three years in support of the Violent Fugitive Task Force.

Pros
· Reduced costs for participation in the Violent Fugitive Task Force.

Cons
None noted.

2. Do not authorize acceptance of vehicles as offered by the U.S. Marshals Service.

Pros
None noted.

Cons
· Police Department officers assigned to the U.S. Marshals Service Violent Fugitive Task Force would continue to use City purchased vehicles to support task force operations.
· The City loses the opportunity to replace aging vehicles at no cost to the City.