2023-03-21 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
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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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