2015-28900 Reso RESOLUTION NO. 2015-28900
A RESOLUTION OF THE MAYOR AND CITY COMMISSION OF THE
CITY OF MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA, ACCEPTING THE
RECOMMENDATION OF THE CITY MANAGER TO PURCHASE
ADDITIONAL CONDUCTED ELECTRONIC WEAPONS AND OTHER
ACCESSORIES (THE "EQUIPMENT") FROM TASER
INTERNATIONAL, INC. IN THE TOTAL AMOUNT OF $519,230,
PREVIOUSLY APPROVED AS A SOLE SOURCE PURCHASE
PURSUANT TO RESOLUTION 2014-28726, AND AUTHORIZING THE
CITY ADMINISTRATION TO NEGOTIATE AN AGREEMENT WITH
TASER INTERNATIONAL, INC., FOR THE PURCHASE OF THE
EQUIPMENT; AND FURTHER AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER
TO EXECUTE THAT AGREEMENT WITH TASER INTERNATIONAL
WHICH SHALL DEFER PAYMENT OF THE EQUIPMENT OVER A FIVE
(5) YEAR PERIOD, UPON CONCLUSION OF SUCCESSFUL
NEGOTIATIONS.
WHEREAS, Section 2-367(d) of the Miami Beach Code authorizes the City Commission
to negotiate contracts for the purchase of goods and/or services in those circumstances where
one source for the products or service is evident; and
WHEREAS, TASER brand products, which includes the Taser X-2 Conducted Electrical
Weapons (CEWs) and all department-issued accessories (extended warranties, battery packs,
holsters, cartridges, etc.), is manufactured and solely distributed by Taser International Inc.; and
WHEREAS, on September 10, 2014, the City Commission approved Resolution No.
2014-28726 that recognized Taser International, Inc. as the sole source and only authorized
distributor of TASER brand products; and
WHEREAS, the Police Department requires the purchase of CEWs and other
accessories (the "Equipment") from Taser International, Inc., in the total amount of $519,230;
and
WHEREAS, Taser International, Inc. implemented a program that would allow Law
Enforcement agencies to upgrade their existing CEWs X-26 to X-2, and permit these law
enforcement agencies to defer the costs over a five (5) year period of time; and
WHEREAS, the financing program will allow the Miami Beach Police Department to
outfit its patrol officers with new CEWs, and allow the City to remit an initial down payment of
$187,000 and four subsequent annual payment of$83,000 for the equipment.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT DULY RESOLVED BY THE MAYOR AND CITY
COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA, hereby authorizing, pursuant to
Section 2-367 (d) of the Miami Beach City Code, the City Manager to purchase additional
Conducted Electronic Weapons and other accessories from Taser International, Inc. in the total
amount of $519,230, previously approved as a sole source purchase pursuant to Resolution
2014-28726, and authorizing the City Administration to negotiate an agreement with Taser
International, Inc., for the purchase of the equipment; and further authorizing the City Manager
to execute that agreement with Taser International which shall defer payment of the equipment
over a five (5) year period, upon conclusion of successful negotiations.
PASSED AND ADOPTED THIS / " DAY OF Jlrn/ 0' , 2015.
ATTEST: ----- /, y'
Mayor Ph.-P°p Le``
____ ii_ / '/;
Ra el E. Granado, City Clerk v-r
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COMMISSION ITEM SUMMARY
Condensed Title:
A RESOLUTION OF THE MAYOR AND CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF MIAMI BEACH,
FLORIDA, ACCEPTING THE RECOMMENDATION OF THE CITY MANAGER TO PURCHASE
ADDITIONAL CONDUCTED ELECTRONIC WEAPONS AND OTHER ACCESSORIES (THE
"EQUIPMENT") FROM TASER INTERNATIONAL, INC., IN THE TOTAL AMOUNT OF $519,230,
PREVIOUSLY APPROVED AS A SOLE SOURCE PURCHASE PURSUANT TO RESOLUTION 2014-
28726, AND AUTHORIZING THE CITY ADMINISTRATION TO NEGOTIATE AN AGREEMENT WITH
TASER INTERNATIONAL, INC., FOR THE PURCHASE OF THE EQUIPMENT; AND FURTHER
AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO EXECUTE THAT AGREEMENT WITH TASER
INTERNATIONAL INC., WHICH SHALL DEFER PAYMENT OF THE EQUIPMENT OVER A FIVE (5)
YEAR PERIOD, UPON CONCLUSION OF SUCCESSFUL NEGOTIATIONS.
Key Intended Outcome Supported:
Insist on Police Department Accountability and Skilled Management Leadership
Issue:
IShould the Administration adopt the Resolution?
Item Summary/Recommendation:
Since 2003,the Miami Beach Police Department has utilized the Taser weapons system as one tool in use
of force encounters.There is ample research to support the effectiveness of this technology in reducing
injuries and deaths to police officers and citizens. In effect,the Taser has become a very effective device to
gain compliance when force is necessary to physically detain a subject.
Unfortunately, the model originally urchased b the Department, the Taser X-26 Electronic Control
Y� purchased by P
Weapon(ECW), has reached the end of its service life and as of December 31,2014,Taser International
will no longer manufacture or maintain it. In preparation,two years ago the department began a transition
phase to a new Taser Smart-weapon, the X-2, and has been pleased with the product.
The X-2 ECW is a significant upgrade from the Taser X-26 in both technology and safety.This is a critically
important factor from the perspective of community relations and public perception.In this same spirit,the
new model now includes a variety of features that will.aid in the Department's ability to deploy a more
effective,less lethal weapon. In short,the X-2 model contains the latest technology in ECWs and uses less
energy to produce the same neuromuscular incapacitation.
Obviously the cost of upgrading and outfitting all patrol officers with the new unit presents some fiscal
challenges. However, in late 2014,Taser International began a program that allows agencies to upgrade
from the X-26 through a specific financing agreement. By using funding that is currently budgeted as a
down payment, the Department can replace all ECW's immediately.
After the initial down payment of$187,000, the financing program will require four subsequent,annual
payments of $83,000. The agreement includes all new Taser X-2 ECWs with corresponding holsters,
batteries and cartridges needed for training and deployment. Additionally,the financing agreement ensures
the current pricing for the duration of the five year agreement and includes a five year extended warranty for
all the ECWs.
The Department will need a total of 345 ECW's to fully equip all sworn personnel, including Reserve
Officers. This will also provide for a small inventory of ECW's as spares and replacements when units
require service. It should also be noted that the financing agreement,as proposed by Taser,would replace
all 55 of our previously purchased black X-2 ECWs and all new X-2s purchases with the yellow-colored
version, allowing immediate identification of the device as an ECW and not a firearm.
Essentially for the cost of slightly more than what is normally budget annually for Taser maintenance,the
Department can replace all existing Taser X-26s with a newer, safer product. The only additional cost is
AGENDA ITEM R7 C
MIAMIBEACH DATE -fit{-I s
that of replacement batteries and cartridges for the ECWs.
CONCLUSION
As a Police Department, it is crucially important that officers have access to tools that protect them in the
course of their duties. However, another equally critical element includes safeguarding the health and
safety of those we serve, including those we have to arrest or detain. It is my belief that the deployment of
the new Taser technology will provide an appropriate balance to protect both the officer and the community
from unexpected tragedy or unintended consequences.
RECOMMENDATION
The Administration recommends that the Mayor and City Commission of the City of Miami Beach, Florida
approve the City Manager's recommendation to purchase additional conducted electronic weapons and
accessories(the"Equipment"),from Taser International Inc., in the total amount of$519,230, previously
approved as a sole source purchase pursuant to Resolution No. 2014-28726, and authorizing the City
Administration to negotiate an agreement with Taser International, Inc.,for the purchase of the equipment;
and further authorizing the City Manager to execute that agreement with Taser International Inc., which
shall defer payment of the equipment over a five (5) year period, upon conclusion of successful
negotiations.
,
Advisory Board Recommendation:
NA
Financial Information:
Source of Amount Account
unds: . 1 $187.000 011-1130-000325
O Total . $187,000
Financial Impact Summary:
City Clerk's Office Legislative Tracking:
Sign-Offs:
Department Director , Assistant City Manager City Manager
DJO -) ST) .
MIAMI BEACH
City of Miami Beach, 1700 Convention Center Drive,Miami Beach,Florida 33139,www.miamibeachfl.gov
COMMISSION MEMORANDUM
TO: Mayor Philip Levine and Members the City C.Ci mission
FROM: Jimmy L. Morales, City Manager
6 '
DATE: January 14, 2015
SUBJECT: A RESOLUTION OF THE MAYO AND CITY COMMISSION OF
THE CITY OF MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA, ACCEPTING THE
RECOMMENDATION OF THE CITY MANAGER TO
PURCHASE ADDITIONAL CONDUCTED ELECTRONIC
WEAPONS AND OTHER ACCESSORIES(THE"EQUIPMENT")
FROM TASER INTERNATIONAL, INC. IN THE TOTAL
AMOUNT OF$519,230,PREVIOUSLY APPROVED AS.A SOLE
SOURCE PURCHASE PURSUANT TO RESOLUTION 2014-
: 28726, AND AUTHORIZING THE CITY ADMINISTRATION TO
NEGOTIATE AN AGREEMENT WITH TASER
INTERNATIONAL, INC. FOR THE PURCHASE OF THE
EQUIPMENT; AND FURTHER AUTHORIZING THE CITY
MANAGER TO EXECUTE THAT AGREEMENT WITH TASER
INTERNATIONAL WHICH SHALL DEFER PAYMENT OF THE
EQUIPMENT OVER A 5 YEAR PERIOD, UPON CONCLUSION
OF SUCCESSFUL NEGOTIATIONS.
ADMINISTRATION RECOMMENDATION
•
Adopt the Resolution
ANALYSIS
I
Since 2003, the Miami Beach Police Department has utilized the Taser weapons
system as one tool in use-of-force encounters. The leading thinking and best
practice in American policing continues to be that these weapons are a
compassionate less-lethal-force option. The vast majority of larger police
departments issue them to patrol officers. There is ample research to support the
effectiveness of this technology in reducing injuries and deaths to police officers and
citizens. The Taser is an effective device to gain compliance when force is
necessary to physically detain a subject.
The model originally purchased by the Department, the Taser X-26 Electronic
Control Weapon (ECW), has reached the end of its service life.As of December 31,
2014, Taser International no longer manufactures or maintains it. In preparation,
two years ago the Department began a transition phase to a newer Taser Smart-
i
.
weapon, the X-2, and has been pleased with the product.
The X-2 ECW is a significant upgrade from the Taser X-26 in both technology and
safety. This is an important factor from the perspective of community relations and
public perception. The new model now includes a variety of features that will aid in
the Department's ability to deploy a more effective, less lethal weapon. In short,the
X-2 model contains the latest technology in ECWs and uses less energy to produce
the same neuromuscular incapacitation.
The cost of upgrading and outfitting all patrol officers with the new unit presents
some fiscal challenges. However, in late 2014,Taser International began a program
that allows agencies to upgrade from the X-26 through a specific financing
agreement. By using funding that is currently budgeted as a down payment, the
Department can replace all ECW's immediately.
After the initial down payment of$187,000, to be taken from existing funding in the
current fiscal year, the financing program will require four subsequent, annual
payments of $83,000. The agreement includes all new Taser X-2 ECWs, with
corresponding holsters, batteries and cartridges needed for training and
deployment. Additionally, the financing agreement locks in the current pricing for
the duration of the five-year agreement and includes a five-year extended warranty
for all the ECWs.
The Department will need a total of 345 ECW's to fully equip all patrol personnel,
including Reserve Officers. This will also provide for a small inventory of ECW's as
spares and replacements when units require service. It should also be noted that
the financing agreement, as proposed by Taser, would replace all 55 of our
previously purchased black X-2 ECWs and all new X-2s purchases with the yellow-
colored version. This change in color is being done for safety reasons. The yellow
Taser provides immediate identification of the device to suspects -- and to fellow
officers on scene -- as an ECW and not a firearm.
For the cost of slightly more than what is normally budget annually for Taser
maintenance, the Department can replace all existing Taser X-26s with a newer,
safer product. The only additional cost is that of replacement batteries and
cartridges for the ECWs.
CONCLUSION
The upgrade of the Police Department's less-than-lethal ECWs is necessary at this
time because the existing Tasers have become obsolete and because the newer
devices are safer and more compassionate weapons. This proposal results in the
immediate replacement of all 345 weapons in the MBPD inventory, with the cost
covered over the next five years. Money for this fiscal year's down payment exists
within the Police Department budget. The out-year cost of$83,000 annually for the
next four years is reasonable for this important technology. It is my belief that the
deployment of the new Taser technology will provide an appropriate balance to
protect both the officers and the community from unexpected tragedy or unintended
consequences.
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