TITLE:
title
APPROVAL FOR THE PURCHASE AND REPLACEMENT OF SECURITY VIDEO CAMERAS FOR THE POLICE DEPARTMENT
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DEPARTMENT: POLICE DEPARTMENT
PRESENTED BY: DAVID CASAREZ, LIEUTENANT
CONTACT INFORMATION: DAVID CASAREZ, LIEUTENANT, (714) 754-5266
RECOMMENDATION:
recommendation
Staff recommends the City Council:
1. Authorize the use of OMNIA Partners Cooperative Agreement No. R220804 with SHI International Corp. for the purchase of Verkada Camera System in the amount of $259,114.24.
2. Authorize a 5% contingency of $12,955.71 for unforeseen costs.
3. Authorize the City Manager or designee to execute the necessary documents to purchase Verkada Camera System.
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BACKGROUND:
The Police Department utilizes surveillance cameras at the department to monitor access points, parking lots, and the jail to ensure the safety and welfare of our employees and those we have in custody.
The Police Department’s current surveillance equipment, which includes a Milestone VMS server and cameras were installed in 2019. These analog cameras are at their end of life and no longer provide adequate video as several cameras have to be repeatedly replaced or repaired. Several server hard drives have also been replaced throughout the years and will begin to fail again soon. The monetary cost from our current contracted maintenance service provider continues to grow for repairs and service calls when the cameras or the server malfunctions.
Due to technological advances in recent years, surveillance cameras are now streamed digitally providing clearer and sharper images. These surveillance videos now stream directly to the cloud and no longer require servers onsite that require maintenance.
Staff proposes replacing the current Milestone Camera system hardware with the Verkada system. This system was recently installed at City Hall, Downtown Recreation Center, and Code Enforcement offices and has been beneficial for the security of these buildings and their occupants. Adding the Police Department to this system will allow for easier monitoring of all city facilities by police staff and seamless access for review for investigative purposes when needed.
ANALYSIS:
The proposed purchase of the Verkada Camera System is necessary to maintain the Police Department’s security surveillance in case of vandalism and acts of violence. The video surveillance system in the jail is paramount as it continuously records the welfare and safety of our employees and the persons who are in our care and custody. The current system has been intermittently failing to record valuable evidence, making it difficult to prosecute for vandalism or drug possession in the jail and juvenile holding rooms. The video system also helps to mitigate false allegations of force or theft in the City’s jail, which is now currently being maintained by our own full-time City employed- Custody Officers. Several locations in the jail and throughout the police campus have been identified as having “blind spots.” With the installation of the new Verkada camera system, the blind spots would now be covered. The new Verkada system also allows authorized police personnel to monitor or view locations from a mobile application or desk top computer 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Authorized police personnel would also be able to retrieve video evidence from most cameras for 60 days and 365 days from the jail.
Although Siemens currently supports the entire security system of the Police Department, frustration continues to grow based on the intermittent failures from the cameras, the rise in service calls and the price to replace or repair equipment. Verkada is the current provider of the security cameras at City Hall, Downtown Recreation Center and the offsite Code Enforcement office. Our I.T. Department is familiar with the vendor and the inner workings of how the camera system operates. Staff also recommends the equipment be purchased on the Omni Partners Cooperative Agreement that is approved by our purchasing department.
Purchasing the Verkada camera system through OMNIA Partners meets all requirements set forth in the City of Costa Mesa’s Purchasing Policy and all requirements set forth by the State of California in regard to regional cooperative purchasing agreements. This process confirms that the City still receives the lowest available pricing, and meets the competitive bid process requirements. The City has utilized OMNIA Partners successfully for several previous related purchases.
The SHI International Corp quote is included as Attachment 1, totaling $259,114.24. A separate construction contract will be executed for the installation of the Verkada camera system.
ALTERNATIVES:
The City Council may elect not to move forward with the purchase of the Verkada security cameras, mounting parts, user licenses, and extended warranties; however, this alternative is not recommended as the current security cameras are reaching their end of life and replacements are crucial to maintaining the Police Department’s security surveillance.
FISCAL REVIEW:
There are sufficient appropriations in Narcotics Forfeiture Fund in FY 2023/24 to fund this purchase.
LEGAL REVIEW:
The City Attorney’s Office has reviewed this agenda report and approved it as to form.
CITY COUNCIL GOALS AND PRIORITIES:
This item supports the following City Council Goal:
• Strengthen the Public’s Safety and Improve the Quality of Life
CONCLUSION:
Staff recommends the City Council:
1. Authorize the use of OMNIA Partners Cooperative Agreement No. R220804 with SHI International Corp. for the purchase of Verkada Camera System in the amount of $259,114.24.
2. Authorize a 5% contingency of $12,955.71 for unforeseen costs.
3. Authorize the City Manager or designee to execute the necessary documents to purchase Verkada Camera System.