City Council approves purchase of police vehicle with grant funds

August 28, 2002
Santa Paula City Council

The purchase of a new police car was questioned at the Aug. 5th meeting when a council member said he would prefer that the department have one for full-time use.

By Peggy KellySanta Paula TimesThe purchase of a new police car was questioned at the Aug. 5th meeting when a council member said he would prefer that the department have one for full-time use.Councilman Rick Cook requested that the item, a $30,000 2003 Ford Crown Victorian to be used in a gang violence and suppression program, be pulled from the consent calendar for discussion.“I see the new car is not to go to the police department but go to the program,” Cook noted.Police Chief Bob Gonzales said the purchase of the car is the result of a state grant to “work with specific programs; I would prefer a black and white patrol unit, but the vehicle should got to the grant. In all fairness and with the intent of the grant,” the purchase must be made for an unmarked vehicle.Cook said that the report referred to the expenditure as coming from funds leftover from the 2001-2002 city budget and his preference remains that the funds be spent on a marked patrol vehicle.
“I’d hate to get into trouble with the grantor,” of the funds, said Gonzales, and Cook asked that he explain the source of the funding and its description in the staff report.“A vehicle was purchased after our last funding cycle, we try to do the nutshell game; the grant will pay for the car the city buys,” said Gonzales.“So we did get a new car with the money,” said Cook.Councilman Don Johnson noted that a new car was included in the grant application.“And as soon as the grant goes away the vehicle will go back into our fleet, we’ll inherit the car,” said Gonzales.“My fear is we’ll get a $30,000 car that will go to use only eight to ten hours a day,” said Cook, but he moved that the council approve the request.



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