2023-25 Riverside County Sherriff's Dpt - Convert One Police Traffic Car Position to Traffic Motor PositionMOTION — A motion was made and seconded by Councilmembers Pena/McGarrey to
approve Consent Calendar Item Nos. 1-4 and 6-12 as recommended, with Item No. 4
adopting Resolution No. 2023-006. Motion passed unanimously.
BUSINESS SESSION
1. APPROVE CONVERTING RIVERSIDE COUNTY SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT
TRAFFIC CAR OFFICER POSITION TO A MOTOR OFFICER POSITION
Public Safety Manager Mendez and Riverside County Sheriff's Department Sergent Kyle
LaFond presented the staff report, which is on file in the Clerk's Office.
MOTION — A motion was made and seconded by Councilmembers Fitzpatrick/Pena to
approve converting a Riverside County Sheriff's Department traffic car officer position to
a motor officer position; and authorize the Mayor to execute the amendment to the
Agreement for Law Enforcement Services as recommended. Motion passed
unanimously.
2. AUTHORIZE A LETTER, ON BEHALF OF THE CITY COUNCIL, TO THE
GOVERNOR OF CALIFORNIA OPPOSING THE STATE'S PLAN TO CLOSE
CHUCKAWALLA VALLEY STATE PRISON IN THE CITY OF BLYTHE AND
SUPPORT THE CLOSING OF THE CALIFORNIA REHABILITATION CENTER
IN THE CITY OF NORCO
Management Specialist Barkas presented the staff report, which is on file in the Clerk's
Office.
Council discussed how the closure of Chuckawalla Valley State Prison (CVSP) will
adversely affect the City of Blythe; and the reasoning for closing the California
Rehabilitation Center (CRC) in the City of Norco instead.
Ms. Barkas provided the history of the CRC which was built as a luxury hotel in 1928, and
its evolution and several repurposing over the years, including being slated for closure in
2016, which was not allowed by a court decision due to the growing inmate population in
California at that time. Also, according to a 2020 report prepared by the Legislative
Analyst's Office, titled "The 2020-21 Budget: Effectively Managing State Prison
Infrastructure," costs for maintenance and repairs for CVSP was $430 million compared
to CRC at $1.116 billion.
Council discussed adding to the letter to the Governor statements that there are
infrastructure problems at CRC as the site is not up to code, it's an unsafe environment,
the facility was slated for closure in 2016, and there is unanimous support for this position
from Riverside County cities.
MOTION — A motion was made and seconded by Councilmembers McGarrey/Fitzpatrick
to authorize a letter, on behalf of the City Council, to the Governor of California opposing
CITY COUNCIL MINUTES
Page 4 of 10 MARCH 21, 2023
BUSINESS SESSION ITEM NO. 1
City of La Quinta
CITY COUNCIL MEETING: March 21, 2023
STAFF REPORT
AGENCY!' : APPROVE CONVERTING RIVERSIDE COUNTY SHERIFF'S
DEPARTMENT TRAFFIC CAR OFFICER POSITION TO A MOTOR OFFICER
POSITION
RECOMMENDATION
Approve converting a Riverside County Sheriff's Department traffic car officer position to
a motor officer position and authorize the Mayor to execute amendment to Law
Enforcement Contract.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
• Riverside County Sheriff's Department (RCSD) provides law enforcement services
to City of La Quinta.
• La Quinta Sheriff's traffic team is currently staffed with five (5) traffic
enforcement officers, consisting of three (3) traffic car officers, and two (2) motor
officers.
• On March 7, 2023, the Council discussed the benefits of converting a traffic car to
a motor position. During this meeting, staff was directed to bring this item
back to Council as a business item.
FISCAL IMPACT
The one-time cost of converting a traffic officer to a motor officer is estimated to be
$40,000, this includes the cost of one new motorcycle, equipment, and a motor deputy
pay differential of $1.95 per hour. Thereafter, the annual cost is estimated to be $12,300
per year. The net annual increase is estimated to be $7,110 after savings associated with
less patrol car mileage. Funds are available in the General Fund — Police Budget.
3ACKGROUND/ANALYSIS
At the Council meeting on March 7, 2023, RCSD discussed converting a traffic car
position to a motor position to increase the number of officers assigned to motors to three
(3) and reducing traffic car positions to two (2). As discussed, the benefits of a motor
officer include more maneuverability through traffic, the ability to monitor problem areas
from multiple locations due to the motorcycle's smaller profile, and the ability to respond
187
to priority calls faster, thus reducing the response time within the City. Additionally, the
maneuverability of motors allows officers to better support local events with large
attendances.
ALTERNATIVES
Council may elect to modify, delay, or deny this request.
Prepared by:
Approved by:
Martha Mendez, Public Safety Manger
Jon McMillen, City Manager
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5. AUTHORIZE OVERNIGHT TRAVEL FOR ONE COUNCILMEMBER TO ATTEND
THE LEAGUE OF CALIFORNIA CITIES CITY LEADERS SUMMIT IN
SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA, APRIL 12-14, 2023
6. APPROVE DEMAND REGISTERS DATED FEBRUARY 17 AND FEBRUARY 24,
2023
MOTION — A motion was made and seconded by Councilmembers Pena/McGarrey to
approve the Consent Calendar as recommended. Motion passed unanimously.
STUDY SESSION
1. DISCUSS CONVERTING RIVERSIDE COUNTY SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT
TRAFFIC CAR OFFICER POSITION TO A MOTOR OFFICER POSITION
Public Safety Manager Mendez and Riverside County Sheriff's Department Sergent Kyle
LaFond presented the staff report, which is on file in the Clerk's Office.
Council discussed La Quinta being one of the safest cities in the Coachella Valley;
thanked Police staff for their service; the benefits of switching a patrol car officer to a
motor officer position; danger to motor officers versus officers in vehicles; required
training for a motor position; costs associated with the switch, including the purchase of
a motorcycle; the superior performance, safety, and durability of BMW motorcycles
compared to Honda or Harley Davidson brands; need to overcome public perception of
police motor officers nationwide hiding to catch motorists; La Quinta's policy against
concealed traffic officers, and against rewarding officers based on tickets issued, instead
believe that police visibility is a better deterrent; officer visibility needed on Eisenhower
Dr. and Avenida Bermudas to deter speeding per community workshop attendees; danger
of the increase in incidents of running red lights; increased response times of motor
officers versus patrol cars due to maneuverability; how motor officers use their proactive
time, and how they interact with drivers; no nighttime coverage by motor officers; no traffic
coverage 24 hours per day; DUI enforcement; racing and donuts happening at night;
weather factors for motor officers; timeframe for filling motor positions and the training
involved; current patrol hours; motorcycle differential pay; and data on the best means to
decrease traffic collisions.
Council reached a consensus and directed staff to bring this matter back to Council for a
vote as a Business Session item.
2. DISCUSS NEW IMPROVEMENTS IN PUBLIC SAFETY TECHNOLOGY COST
AND BENEFITS ANALYSIS [Flock Automated License Plate Reader (ALPR)
cameras and ShotSpotter system]
Public Safety Manager Mendez and Riverside County Sheriff's Department Lieutenant
Andres Martinez (a.k.a. La Quinta Chief of Police) presented the staff report, which is on
file in the Clerk's Office.
CITY COUNCIL MINUTES
Page 3 of 8 MARCH 7, 2023
STUDY SESSION ITEM NO. 1
City of La Quinta
CITY COUNCIL MEETING: March 7, 2023
STAFF REPORT
AGENDA TITLE: DISCUSS CONVERTING RIVERSIDE COUNTY SHERIFF'S
DEPARTMENT TRAFFIC CAR OFFICER POSITION TO A MOTOR OFFICER
POSITION
RECOMMENDATION
Discuss converting a Riverside County Sheriff's Department traffic car officer position to
a motor officer position.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
• Since 1982, the City has contracted with the Riverside County Sheriff's
Department (RCSD) for law enforcement services.
• La Quinta Sheriff's traffic team is currently staffed with five (5) traffic enforcement
officers, consisting of three (3) traffic car officers, and two (2) motor officers.
• Council considered a similar recommendation on 2/15/2022, however at that time
council requested additional information, which is addressed in this report, and in
the 4th quarter 2022 (October — December) Police Quarterly Report, included as
Departmental Report Item No. 8 in this agenda packet).
FISCAL IMPACT
Converting a traffic officer to a motor officer is estimated at a one-time cost of $40,000,
which includes the cost of one new motorcycle, equipment, and a motor deputy pay
differential of $1.95 per hour. Recurring annual cost is estimated to be $12,300 per year.
The net annual increase is estimated to be $7,110 after savings associated with less
patrol car mileage.
BACKGROUND/ANALYSIS
The City contracts with RCSD to provide law enforcement services. Under the current
contract, five (5) deputies are allocated to the Traffic Team, three (3) officers are assigned
to traffic cars, and two (2) officers are assigned to motors. Lt. Martinez is recommending
converting one traffic car deputy to a motor officer to allow deputies to better serve the
71
community. Per Lt. Martinez a motor officer is better equipped to do the following versus
a traffic car deputy:
• Provide higher visibility by being able to maneuver through traffic more efficiently
and be easily seen by motorists.
• Monitor intersections more efficiently because motorcycles have more
opportunities to safely park.
• Overall, the smaller profile of a motorcycle versus a car allows for more
advantageous positional opportunities while monitoring problem areas, or areas
with higher complaints, which better assists in achieving the overall traffic safety
goals.
• Motorcycles do not only respond to traffic related incidents, they are also available
to respond to crimes in -progress, as well has high priority calls, which in turn
decreases overall response times within the city.
• Motorcycles provide better support for local events with large vehicle and
pedestrian attendance, such as the Ironman Triathlon, American Express Golf
Tournament, and the Music Festival concerts.
The mere presence of motor officers (more than cars) tends to make motorists drive more
safely. The overall goal of a motor officer is not to ticket as many people as possible, but
to educate the motoring public, lower traffic collisions, and make La Quinta safer for
everyone.
Prepared by:
Approved by:
Martha Mendez, Public Safety Manager and Sgt. Kyle Lafond
Jon McMillen, City Manager
72
CITY COUNCIL MINUTES Page 5 of 10 FEBRUARY 15, 2022
Council discussed project reimbursement funds to be returned to the reserve
fund; minimizing impacts around the bridge during construction as was done
with the Dune Palms bridge; and the project is an appropriate use of Measure
G funds.
MOTION – A motion was made and seconded by Councilmembers Fitzpatrick/
Sanchez to:
A. Appropriate Highway Bridge Program Advanced Construction Funding in
the amount of $14,936,122, with $7,468,061 from Measure G reserves
and $7,468,061 from Unassigned reserves;
B. Approve agreement for contract services with TY Lin International to
provide construction management and inspection services, and authorize
the City Manager to execute the agreement; and
C. Approve plans, specifications, and engineer’s estimate, and authorize for
bid the Dune Palms Road Bridge Project No. 2011-05.
Motion passed unanimously.
2. Pulled from Consent Calendar Item No. 11 by Staff and moved for
consideration as Business Session No. 2 >>> APPROVE REQUEST TO
AMEND THE LAW ENFORCEMENT SERVICE AGREEMENT WITH
RIVERSIDE COUNTY SHERIFF’S DEPARTMENT TO CONVERT TWO
TRAFFIC CAR POSITIONS TO TRAFFIC MOTOR POSITIONS
Acting Community Resources Director Mendez, along with Lt. Andy Martinez
and Sgt. Chris Olsen of the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department presented
the staff report, which is on file in the Clerk’s Office.
Council discussed the fuel and maintenance for motorcycles versus that for
the police cars; no additional officer positions are being added, just
transferring Officers from cars to motorcycles; purpose is not to issue more
traffic tickets, but to be able to respond faster to incidents due to motorcycles
maneuverability through traffic; the City’s traffic squad ratio will change from
currently having 3 cars and 2 motors to instead having 1 car and 4 motors;
police cars being more visible to the community, but scope of patrols will not
change; downside of replacing cars with motorcycles is the loss of the back
seat and trunk carrying optional equipment, but motor Officers are self-
sufficient in that they carry on their person or in their saddlebags everything
needed, including first aid equipment; currently, if Officers driving either cars
or motors need to transport an arrestee to jail or a hospital, Community
Service Officers (CSOs) in cars are called in for transport so that the arresting
Officer can remain on patrol, and this protocol will not change; there will be
no changes to the number of Deputies or patrol hours; research measures to
protect Officers on motors from extreme heat such as air-conditioned helmets
or cool vests; ability to revert back to patrol cars if the change to motors is
CITY COUNCIL MINUTES Page 6 of 10 FEBRUARY 15, 2022
not satisfactory; Lt. Martinez reported that in 2021, there were 477 collisions
in the City, 111 involved injury, and 4 involved fatalities – the purpose of
motor Officers is to correct driver behavior causing these collisions with the
intended result being a reduction; traffic cameras assist in identifying problem
intersections for motor Officers to focus on; options of changing only one car
to a motor, or negotiating with a neighbor City to trade one car for one motor
temporarily in order to save $74,000 while change is evaluated; Sheriff
Department’s proposal is to implement the change to four motors for four
years, the useful life of new motorcycles, then re-evaluate; and reminder that
La Quinta had four motor Officers originally, but due to lack of available
Officers, it was reduced to two motors.
PUBLIC SPEAKERS IN-PERSON: Alena Callimanis, La Quinta – suggested that
Council change only one car to a motor for six months because wind, swirling
sand and heat conditions are unsafe for motors.
Council discussed the concept that patrol cars are more visible and therefore
more of a detriment to crime; Lt. Martinez reported that there is an inverse
correlation between the number of motors on patrol and the number of
collisions, and that motors are five times more efficient than cars in traffic
control; awaiting the report from Riverside County Sheriff on the availability,
training, development, and data tracking of CSOs’ activities; and the need to
consider this request as part of a larger conversation on budget, CSO data,
and how the duties of patrol cars, motors, CSOs, etc. are integrated.
MOTION – A motion was made and seconded by Councilmembers Peña/
Fitzpatrick to continue this item on a future Council agenda, date to be
determined by Staff, when more information and data is available regarding
the City’s budget, CSO activity, and delineation of duties performed by each
type of Officer serving the City. Motion passed unanimously.
STUDY SESSION – None
MAYOR EVANS CALLED FOR A BRIEF RECESS AT 5:24 P.M.
MAYOR EVANS RECONVENED THE COUNCIL MEETING AT 5:27 P.M.
WITH ALL MEMBERS PRESENT
PUBLIC HEARINGS
1. ADOPT RESOLUTIONS TO ADOPT A NEGATIVE DECLARATION
(EA 2021-0010) AND A GENERAL PLAN AMENDMENT (GPA
2020-0001), FOR THE 2022-2029 HOUSING ELEMENT UPDATE
City of La Quinta
CONSENT CALENDAR ITEM NO. 11
PULLED FROM CONSENT CALENDAR AND
CONSIDERED AS BUSINESS ITEM NO. 2
CITY COUNCIL MEETING: February 15, 2022
STAFF REPORT
AGENDA T : APPROVE REQUEST TO AMEND THE LAW ENFORCEMENT
SERVICE AGREEMENT WITH RIVERSIDE COUNTY SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT TO
CONVERT TWO TRAFFIC CAR POSITIONS TO TRAFFIC MOTOR POSITIONS
RECOMMENDATION
Approve request to amend the Law Enforcement Service Agreement with the
Riverside County Sheriff's Department to convert two traffic car positions to
traffic motor positions; and authorize the City Manager to execute the
amendment.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
• Since 1982, the City of La Quinta has contracted with the Riverside
County Sheriff's Department (RCDS) for law enforcement services.
• La Quinta Sheriff's traffic team is currently staffed with five (5) traffic
enforcement officers, consisting of three (3) traffic car officers, and two
(2) motors officers.
• On January 20, 2022, the City Manager received a letter from the RCDS
requesting that two (2) traffic car positions be converted to motor
positions to better serve the community (Attachment 1).
• If Council approves this request, an amendment to the current Law
Enforcement Agreement (Attachment 2) will need to be authorized.
FISCAL IMPACT
The cost of converting two traffic officers to motor officers, is estimated at
approximately $74,000, which includes the cost of two new motorcycles,
uniforms, equipment, and motor deputy pay differential ($1.93 per hour more
over the deputy rate). Training costs will be covered by the RCSD. Recurring
annual cost thereafter is estimated to be about $24,660 a year for the two
motors. The net annual increase is estimated to be $14,220 after savings
associated with less patrol car mileage. Funds to cover this request are
available in the Fiscal Year 2021-22 Police Service Budget.
105
BACKGROUND/ANALYSIS
The City contracts with RCSD to provide law enforcement services. Under the
current Sheriff's contract, La Quinta has 1 Lieutenant, 2 Sergeants, an average
of 25 Deputies assigned to daily patrol services, 5 Deputies allocated to the
Target Team, 2 Motor Officers, 3 Traffic Officers, 2 Deputies appointed to the
Narcotics and Gang Task Force, and 6 Community Service Officers.
In January 2022, Lt. Andy Martinez submitted a request recommending that
the City convert two traffic car officers to motor officers to enhance the traffic
enforcement efforts and support community needs. Per the request, Lt.
Martinez states that by increasing the number of motor officers to four units,
the department will improve its visibility in areas known for speeding and/or
traffic issues and increase motor officers' coverage throughout the week.
Moreover, motor officers compared to patrol cars have better maneuverability
and positional opportunities to observe and monitor traffic and provide a
visible deterrent for drivers, therefore enhancing traffic safety in La Quinta.
ALTERNATIVES
Council could elect to delay, modify, or reject the requested amendment to
the law enforcement contract.
Prepared by: Martha Mendez, Public Safety Manager
Approved by: Jon McMillen, City Manager
Attachments: 1. Lt. Martinez's Motor Conversion Request
2. Law Enforcement Service Agreement
106
ATTACHMENT 1
RIVERSIDE COUNTY SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT
CHAD BIANCO, SHERIFF
TO: City Manager Jon McMillen DATE: January 20, 2022
FROM: Lt. Andy Martinez
SUBJECT: Conversion of Two Traffic Car Positions to Motor Positions
Attachments
1. Motorcycle Conversion Fiscal Impact Worksheet
Recommendation
The Sheriff's Department is currently staffed with 5 traffic enforcement officers, two deployed on patrol
motors and three in patrol cars. We are requesting the conversion of two patrol car positions to patrol
motor positions to enhance traffic safety efforts and support local events with large vehicle and pedestrian
attendance. These units will be deployed in areas where there are complaints of excessive speeding or a
high volume of collisions and will allow greater weekday coverage. The smaller profile of a patrol motor
allows for greater maneuverability and positional opportunities to observe and monitor traffic not
available to patrol cars, which can maximize the visible deterrent impact and safety objectives.
Fiscal Impact
The costs to convert two existing traffic car positions to traffic motor positions include capital
expenditures and reoccurring annual costs to purchase, operate and maintain the motorcycles. The
first-year capital costs estimated at $74,000, are related to the purchase of two BMW motorcycles and
personal protective equipment. Prerequisite training programs are reimbursable to the Sheriff's
Department, and as a result, no funding for this initial training is requested.
Reoccurring annual costs include motor fuel, maintenance and safety/hazard pay at an estimated annual
cost of $24,660 for two motors.
Lt. Andy Martinez
1
107
108
City of La Quinta
Traffic Motorcycle Conversion Fiscal Impact
DESCRIPTION
Positions
Hours Per
Da Y
Trend
FY 20/21 EST
Rate
Days
Est. Increase
FY 21/22 EST
Rate Per Position
Request
General Law Enforcement (Patrol)
130
100%
$197.90
365
5.00%
$207.80 N/A
N/A
DESCRIPTION
Positions
I Hours Per
Year
Trend %
FY 20/21 EST
Rate
FY 20/21
Differential
Est. Increase
FY 21/22 EST
Rate
FY 21/22
Differential
Per Position
Request
Dedicated Traffic Position (sdc-b)
-2
2088
100%
$169.37
$0.00
5.00%
$177.84
$8.47
($371,326.79)
($742,653.58)1
Dedicated Motorcyle Positions
2
2088
100%
$169.37
$0.00
5.00%
$177.84
$8.47
$371,326.79
$742,653.58
DESCRIPTION
DETAIL
Cost
Positions
FY 20/21 EST
Rate
Est. Increase
Est FY 21/22
Rate
Qty/Periods
Initial Cost
Reoccuring Cost
Mileage Cost Traffic Cars
@ $.87 per mile
2
$0.87
$0.00
$0.87
6,000
$10,440.00
Mileage Cost Traffic Cars
2
($0.87)
$0.00
($0.87)
6,000
($10,440.00)
Mileage Cost Traffic Motors
No Charge
2
$0.00
Differentials
Motor Deputy Pay
2
$1.93
$0.00
$1.93
2088
$8,059.68
Motor Fuel
Avg. $300/Month
$ 300.00
2
12
$0.00
$7,200.00
Motor Maintenance
Avg. $300/Month
$ 350.00
2
12
$0.00
$8,400.00
BMW Motorcycles
$ 32,000.00
2
$64,000.00
$0.00
Uniforms
Shirts,Pants,Jacket,Gloves
$ 3,800.00
2
$7,600.00
$760.00
Equipment
Helmet
$ 1,200.00
2
$2,400.00
$240.00
Training
POST Reimbursed / Department Covered
2
$0.00
$0.00
$0.00
$0.00
TOTAL
$74,000.00
$24,659.68
Traffic Car Savings
Position Cost ($742,653.58)
Mileage ($10,440.00)
TOTAL
($753,093.58)
Traffic Motor Costs
Position Cost $742,653.58
Reoccuring Cosi $24,659.68
TOTAL $767,313.26
Initial Investment $74,000.00
Annual Budget Impact (est.) $24,659.68
109