01-05-1993 - Purchase of Police Motorcycles•
To CITY MANAGER AND CITY COUNCIL
FROM : POLICE AND FINANCE DEPARTMENT
SUBJECT: PURCHASE OF POLICE MOTORCYCLES
SUMMARY:
City of West Covina
Memorandum
AGENDA
ITEM NO. C-6
DATE JANUARY 5, 149z -
Three Police motorcycles,. used for patrol and traffic enforcement, are aging
and in need of replacement.
BACKGROUND:
The West Covina Police Department maintains a fleet of seven motorcycl.es., Six
of the -motorcycles are assigned to Motor Officers, and the seventfi is
maintained as a spare. The motorcycles are used primarily.for-traffic
enforcement, traffic accident investigation, and general patrol duties., The
expected life span of a.police motorcycle is approximately 40,000 miles: After
40,000 miles it has been the Department's experience that major .,expenses in
repair outweigh the cost'of replacement. Additionally; it is th4e Department's
experience that after 45,000 miles, the resale value for police motorcycles
becomes substantially less.
Three of the Police Department's motorcycles are very close to, or over`40,000
miles. The Police Department anticipated the aging of the motorcycles and has,
sufficient funds budgeted in the 1992-93 Budget.
The West Covina Police Department purchased three 1993.Kawasaki 1000 police
motorcycles in the spring of 1992. The motorcycles were purchased off of a bid
that was set up by the City of Chino. Chino's bid process was found tote as
stringent as that of the City of West Covina. Their bid was awarded to Covina
Kawasaki for $6671.45 per motorcycle, including tax. The total for three
motorcycles would be $20,014.35, including tax. Section 2-333 (I) of the
City's Municipal Code authorizes the City Council to waive formal bidding
procedures for purchases when another local agency has obtained the bid
pursuant to formal contract procedures at least as rigorous as those. of our.
City.
Covina Kawasaki/Yamaha has agreed to honor the previous bid,: and to allow the
West Covina Police Department to purchase the Kawasaki 1000:motorcycles at the
same price as last year.
An investigation into the feasibility of purchasing Harley-Davidson police
motorcycles was done by the Police Department. A major concern with the
purchase of Harley-Davidson motorcycles is maintenance. The closest factory
authorized mechanics are in San Gabriel and Montclair. The distance officers
would travel to obtain even the most minor repair or adjustment is not a
practical alternative.
In contrast to Harley-Davidson, there is a factory authorized mechanic just
outside the City's border, Covina Kawasaki. Our experience with the service
and workmanship at Covina Kawasaki has been very favorable. 'Additionally, the
Kawasaki Police 1000 Motorcycle is considered a made in the USA product by the
U.S. Government. Though some of its parts originate in Japan, the motorcycle
is assembled in Lincoln, Nebraska, using a significant number of American made
parts.
FISCAL IMPACT:
Using Chino's bid, the cost of the three motorcycles will be°$20,014.35, plus
tax. There will be an additional expense of approximately $850 per motorcycle
for the change -over of equipment. The Police Department budget has sufficient
funds earmarked for the purchase of these motorcycles, as well as the
change -over.
RECOMMENDATION:
It is staff's recommendation that the City Council:
a. Find that the use of the City of Chino's bid from Covina Kawasaki,
request number 40269, eliminates the need of a formal bid process.
b. Authorize funds, not to exceed $25,000 for the purchase and
preparation of three (3) 1993;Kawasaki KZ1000 police equipped
motorcycles.
RONALD E. HOLMES, Chief of Police ABRAH W. KONIARS
Public Safety Division Manager Finance Director