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HomeMy WebLinkAbout09237ORDINANCE NO. 9237 AN ORDINANCE APPROPRIATING FUNDS FROM THE GENERAL FUND, FUND BALANCE, TO MUNICIPAL COURT IN THE AMOUNT OF $15,000.00 TO MODIFY AN EXISTING COMMUNITY SERVICE VAN INTO A SECURED TRANSPORT VAN WHEREAS, Municipal Court is seeking to modify its community service van into a secured transport van for the transport of municipal defendants to and from out-of-county detention facilities; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF PUEBLO, that: SECTION 1. Funds in the amount of $15,000.00 are hereby appropriated from the General Fund, Fund Balance, to Municipal Court in order to modify the Court’s community service van into a secured transport vehicle. SECTION 2. The officers and staff of the City are directed and authorized to perform any and all acts consistent with the intent of this Ordinance to effectuate the policies and procedures described herein. SECTION 3. This Ordinance shall become effective immediately after final passage and approval. INTRODUCED: February 12, 2018 BY: Ed Brown MEMBER OF CITY COUNCIL APPROVED: PRESIDENT OF CITY COUNCIL ATTESTED BY: ACTING CITY CLERK PASSED AND APPROVED: February 26, 2018 City Clerk’s Office Item # R-6 Background Paper for Proposed Ordinance COUNCIL MEETING DATE: February 12, 2018 TO: President Christopher A. Nicoll and Members of City Council CC: Sam Azad, City Manager VIA: Brenda Armijo, Acting City Clerk FROM: Carla Sikes, Municipal Court Judge SUBJECT: AN ORDINANCE APPROPRIATING FUNDS FROM THE GENERAL FUND, FUND BALANCE, TO MUNICIPAL COURT IN THE AMOUNT OF $15,000.00 TO MODIFY AN EXISTING COMMUNITY SERVICE VAN INTO A SECURED TRANSPORT VAN SUMMARY: Municipal Court is seeking to modify its 2006 Ford Ecoline 12-person community service van into a secured transport van. The secured transport van will be used to transport municipal defendants to and from jail on an as-needed basis. PREVIOUS COUNCIL ACTION: There has been no previous City Council action with regards to this Ordinance. BACKGROUND: Over the last two years, the County has curtailed the City’s use of the Pueblo County Jail for detention of defendants with municipal only charges due to overcrowding. Sheriff Taylor currently refuses to hold anyone on municipal only charges, regardless of the charge or duration of the hold. As a result, Municipal Court must arrange transportation directly between the courtroom and an out-of-county facility for any defendants taken into custody. The Pueblo Police Department has cooperated with Municipal Court and transported some defendants, but this alternative is time consuming, costly and inconsistent (as it depends on call volume and availability of officers). The Court Marshal has also transported defendants with the use of a police vehicle. Police officers and the Court Marshal can only transport one person at a time. A transport van would allow police officers and/or the Court Marshal to transport multiple defendants at one time rather than taking multiple trips. Therefore, transport can be accomplished more efficiently and cost effectively. The Municipal Court currently has three community service vans. The 2006 Ford Ecoline van to be modified is the oldest of the three and has the most wear and tear to the interior. FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS: The community service van was purchased using Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds. Municipal Court will have to pay CDBG the current value of the van, which the City Fleet Department determined to be $5,850.00. The rear seats need to be replaced in the van. The cost to replace the seats is estimated between $600 and $1,000. Remaining funds will be used to modify the interior of the van to be used as a secured transport vehicle. If approved the funds will be appropriated from the General Fund, Fund Balance, to Municipal Court. BOARD/COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION: Not applicable. STAKEHOLDER PROCESS: Not applicable. ALTERNATIVES: If City Council does not approve this Ordinance, Municipal Court will continue to have very little ability to transport defendants to and from out-of-county detention facilities. RECOMMENDATION: Not applicable. Attachments: None