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APPROVE MOTION AUTHORIZING AN AGREEMENT FOR POLICE OFFICER ASSIGNMENT BETWEEN THE SAN JOAQUIN REGIONAL TRANSIT DISTRICT AND THE CITY OF STOCKTON POLICE DEPARTMENT
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RECOMMENDATION
It is recommended that City Council approve a motion to:
1. Authorize the City Manager to execute a one-year Agreement for Police Officer Assignment between the San Joaquin Regional Transit District and City of Stockton Police Department, in the amount of $137,042 annually; and
2. Authorize and direct the City Manager to make any and all expenditures and appropriations on behalf of the City as appropriate and necessary to carry out the purpose and intent of this motion.
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Summary
The Stockton Police Department (SPD) provides high visibility patrol for the San Joaquin Regional Transit District (RTD) at all bus facilities and along bus routes. The RTD pays the SPD for the direct public safety assistance at a current annual rate of $137,042 per Officer. The current Agreement expires on September 30, 2021, and both parties wish to continue the partnership. The proposed Agreement provides $137,042 annually to the SPD to fund one full-time Police Officer dedicated to RTD. The Agreement term is for one year.
DISCUSSION
Background
In August 2006, the SPD began providing patrol services to RTD. The Agreement has evolved over time; Officers started by rotating hours on a part-time basis, and then one Officer was dedicated to RTD full-time by way of a Supplemental Police Services Agreement on October 1, 2010. Duties of the Officers supporting RTD have historically included patrolling RTD bus facilities, bus stops, and buses, issuing citations, making arrests, and acting as first responders. In 2014, a second Officer was added to the annual services agreement.
In 2017, Greyhound Bus Lines moved their hub to operate from the RTD Downtown Transfer Station, which increased the number of passengers and activity in the area. The RTD has over thirty (30) routes, which include three major transfer stations throughout Stockton. RTD opened an additional transfer station on January 27, 2019. In 2020, RTD elected to reduce the service level to one officer due to drastically low ridership related to the Coronavirus pandemic.
Present Situation
The SPD and RTD wish to continue the agreement for police services, as the current contract expires on September 30, 2021. Due to continued ridership uncertainty related to the Coronavirus pandemic and availability of SPD staffing, only one full-time Officer will be assigned to RTD under the proposed agreement. The RTD will provide funding to finance one Officer assigned to RTD facilities and bus routes.
Established reimbursement rates were based upon eighty percent (80%) of the calculated average cost of a fully benefited Police Officer to account for any minimal reductions in-service hours. Since 2012, RTD agreement rate increases have been based on the Consumer Price Index, Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers, U.S Average, for the 12-month period ending with July each year. The 80% figure is based upon the average amount of time an Officer can dedicate to the assignment and maintain their mandatory training and certification requirements. The calculated rate may change at each renewal term; however, will not be above 80% of the average full cost of a Police Officer. The SPD will use these funds to pay the salaries and benefits of the assigned Officer. The SPD’s Special Operations Division will have the responsibility for coordinating the SPD’s participation at RTD.
Officer basic duties include, but are not limited to, patrolling all RTD bus facilities within RTD buses and at RTD bus stops, issuing citations, making arrests, and acting as first responders.
FINANCIAL SUMMARY
Revenue received under this Agreement is budgeted annually in the Police Department’s General Fund account 3510-000-446012-100-000-20-35-000-000. The annual expenditures for one Officer position currently assigned to RTD are included in the Police Department’s General Fund Strategic Operations account 3516-000-610000-100-000-20-35-000-000. The reimbursement received under this Agreement of $137,042 are estimated at 80% to account for the mandatory training required of all sworn Officers to maintain their certifications as well as other scheduled leaves, which would take them away from the assigned locations. This practice is consistent with the SPD’s other supplemental service contract arrangements for full-time Officers.
Revenue and expenditures will require an increase in appropriation to the FY2021-22 Police General Fund Budget, Strategic Operations Division:
• Revenue appropriation of $137,042 to the 2022 SJRTD Agreement in the Police’s General Fund, Administration Section, Contract Agencies revenue account.
• Expenditure appropriation of $137,042 to the 2022 SJRTD Agreement in the Police’s General Fund, Strategic Operations program.
Attachment A - Agreement for Police Officer Assignment - San Joaquin Regional Transit District