Yuma police to purchase 3 motorcycles for traffic enforcement

The Yuma Police Department will soon have three new motorcycles that will be used as traffic units. The City Council approved the $95,297 purchase from Bobby’s Territorial HarleyDavidson of Yuma during the Nov. 7 regular meeting.

The cost of each motorcycle is $31,766 and includes all the required emergency equipment and the installation of the radar and communications systems. The city is making the purchase through a cooperative agreement with the state. Bobby’s Territorial Harley Davidson is currently on state contract to provide police motorcycles.

A staff report noted that Harley-Davidson offers a five-year warranty, which is included in the purchase price. The purchase of these three motorcycles will replace old motorcycles that will be taken out of service.

The council also awarded a sole source contract to National Meter and Automation of Centennial, Colo., for the purchase of water meters with an estimated annual cost of $180,000.

The Utilities Department standardized the use of water meters manufactured by Badger Meter Inc. over 20 years ago. In 2006 the department began the transition to automated meter reading, with devices also manufactured by Badger Meter.

The meters will be used for new construction and to replace or repair broken units. The city purchases various sizes of meters, however, the most commonly used size is threequarter inches which is used for residential homes at a cost of $191 each.

This vendor is also the sole source distributor for the various meter parts and components.

In other action, the council authorized City Administrator Greg Wilkinson to execute two grant agreements with the Arizona Governor’s Office of Highway Safety for highway safety projects.

GOHS sought proposals from state and local agencies for 2019-20 projects specifically including DUI/ impaired driving enforcement programs and selective traffic enforcement programs.

The state awarded funds to the Yuma Police Department through two separate

grants to cover overtime expenses associated with the programs. YPD received a combined total of $45,000. All funds for both grants must be spent or returned to the state by Sept. 30.

Another approved action authorizes Wilkinson to execute an agreement with the Arizona Department of Homeland Security for reimbursement of funds used for equipment in support of the State Homeland Security Grant Program.

The state program helps with state, tribal and local activities that address “high-priority preparedness gaps across all core capabilities and mission areas where a nexus to terrorism exists,” according to a staff report.

The state receives federal funding from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and distributes it to agencies throughout the state via subrecipient agreements. Under this agreement, YPD will be reimbursed up to $52,330 for the purchase of a tactical robot to support the Special Enforcement Unit from Oct. 1, 2018, to Sept. 30, 2019.

The council also approved a memorandum of understanding with the Yuma County Sheriff’s Office to apply for and execute the award of the 2018 Byrne Justice Assistance Grant Program as part of a joint application.

YCSO and YPD are working together on a joint project, through the Yuma Regional Communications System, which provides data interoperability and enables sharing of information from each of their computer aided dispatch, records management, jail management, and mobile data systems.

The application requires YCSO and YPD to submit a memorandum of understanding regarding how the agencies will use and distribute funds. YRCS will be managing any award funds.

The YCSO executed the memorandum of understanding on Sept. 18, with the approval of the Board of Supervisors.