HomeMy WebLinkAbout18 - Purchase of Replacement VehicleTO: Mayor and City Council
FROM: General Services Director
SUBJECT: Purchase of Replacement Vehicle
Recommendation:
None, informational report only.
Background:
City Council Agenda
Item No. 18
June 12, 2001
During May, a police patrol vehicle was involved in a head-on collision with a private
vehicle fleeing a crime scene. The vehicle, a 1999 Chevrolet Tahoe, sustained heavy
damage to the front end, frame, and engine. The unit, which had 43,338 miles on the
odometer when damaged, was placed into service in January 2000 and would have been
replaced in FY 2002 -03. Without replacing this unit now, the Patrol Division will have a
deficit of 4x4 patrol vehicles through the busy summer months.
Since the cutoff date for ordering a Chevrolet Tahoe was April, we are unable to order
another 2001 vehicle directly from the factory. Model year 2002 units will not be
available before August. However, we were able to locate a dealer unit similar to the two
we purchased earlier this Fiscal Year. Because the unit located was the only Tahoe in
California meeting our fleet specifications and Tahoes are in short supply due to the
model changeover, the City Manager authorized the emergency purchase of the vehicle at
a cost of $41,500 in late May in accordance with City purchasing procedures. We were
fortunate enough to obtain a fleet discount and a reduction of the sales tax on the
purchase price of the vehicle by purchasing the Tahoe from Newport Auto Center, a City
business which located the Tahoe for staff.
The City will attempt to collect the replacement costs of the patrol unit, damaged
equipment, and setup costs from the insurance company of the other driver. Funds will
be deposited into the Equipment Replacement Fund if restitution is received.
Sufficient authorized funding is available in the Internal Service Fund for a replacement
vehicle. A budget amendment is not needed for the vehicle purchase since funds have
already been budgeted for a light air fire support unit, previously approved for purchase
by Council for the current Fiscal Year for $250,000, which will not be replaced.
Very respectfully,
David E. Niederhaus
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