SR-701-006-04 (2)
Council Meeting: February 14, 2006
Santa Monica, California
TO: Mayor and City Council
FROM: City Staff
SUBJECT: Recommendation to Authorize the City Manager to Negotiate and
Execute a Contract for a Public Video Security System and to
Appropriate Funds for the Project.
Introduction
This report recommends that the City Council authorize the City Manager to
negotiate and execute an agreement with Federal Network Services, Inc. for a
Public Video Security System.
Background
In August 2005, the Police Department announced that in response to mounting
homeland security concerns, it was increasing security in the areas of the Third
Street Promenade and the Santa Monica Pier.
The Chief of Police established a task force composed of staff from various City
Departments. The goals of the task force were to analyze and identify areas of
security weakness and to recommend and implement enhancements to security
in specific subject areas. In addition to the work of the task force, the U.S.
Department of Homeland Security was consulted and performed a site
assessment.
As a result of the task force and assessment findings, lighting was increased in
the area of the Pier, improvements were made to the Pier?s public address
system, and unannounced and random vehicle checkpoints were established on
the Pier deck parking entrance. In addition, high visibility police patrols, traffic
flow restrictions, bomb detection canines and the placement of buoys to deter
boat access to restricted areas around the Pier are being used to enhance Pier
security.
One area that still requires attention is the installation of security cameras on,
under and around the Pier, along the Third Street Promenade and in the alleys
east and west of the Promenade. Security cameras will aid in the detection and
investigation of suspicious activity, including potential acts of terrorism.
Discussion
A Request for Proposal seeking qualified vendors to install and maintain a public
video security system was published in September 2005. Eight proposals were
received, and an evaluation committee of staff from the Police Department and
Information Systems was formed to review and rank the proposals. Two vendors
were determined to be the most qualified and their systems were installed on the
Promenade and Pier on a temporary basis for evaluation by staff. Following the
evaluation period, Federal Network Services, Inc., was selected as the best
qualified vendor.
The Federal Network Services system recommended for installation includes 123
cameras connected to the City?s computer network. Video from the cameras will
be stored on a secure digital storage system for a period of up to 90 days on
equipment housed in the Public Safety Facility. Access to the system shall be
limited to authorized Police Department staff, pursuant to departmental protocol,
and only during the course of their normal duties.
Budget/Financial Impact
Security cameras at the Pier and the Third Street Promenade total $1,310,000
including purchase, installation and five-year maintenance contract.
Appropriations are required as follows:
C010768.589000 - Security Camera System $1,200,000
M010768.589000 - Security Camera System Maintenance $110,000
In addition, the following technical adjustment is necessary to fund the
appropriation listed above: Release $1,310,000 from General Fund designation
at account number 1.345105.
Recommendations
It is recommended that City Council:
1) Authorize the City Manager to negotiate and execute a contract with
Federal Network Services, Inc. in the amount of $1,310,000; and
2) Appropriate funds as set forth in the Budget/Financial Impact section.
Prepared By: James T. Butts, Jr., Chief of Police
Jory Wolf, Chief Information Officer
Eric Uller, Lead Public Safety Systems Analyst