Memorandum

City of Lawrence

Police Department

To:	David Corliss, City Manager
From:	W. Ronald Olin, Chief of Police
cc:	Diane Stoddard, Asst. City Manager; Cynthia Boecker, Asst. City Manager
Date:	April 13, 2009
Re:	April 21, 2009 Agenda Item

Please include the following item on the City Commission agenda for consideration at the April 21, 2009 meeting:

Description:   Byrne grant request for Motorola Radios.

The Lawrence Police Department currently utilizes both handheld and mobile Motorola radios.  The Federal Government has mandated changes affecting all public safety communications equipment.  These changes require all public safety entities to replace analog equipment with digital equipment.  The Lawrence Police Department seeks to use the Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) Program to purchase at least 44 handheld and 33 mobile digital radios that meet the Federal Mandate.  Topeka FM Communications is a sole source provider and the radios are on state contract #28440 for a total price of $278,376.12.   

Details:  The handheld radios will be issued to officers and the mobile radios will be mounted in patrol cars.  The digital radios will give Lawrence Police Officers, including commanders, the ability to communicate with public safety agencies in Douglas County, the Northeast Region of Kansas, and state and federal public safety agencies. 

Funding.  The necessary funds to cover the costs of the digital radios are available through the Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant and the Lawrence Police budget.    

Action Request.  Police Department staff requests approval from the City Commission to authorize the purchase of at least 44 handheld and 33 mobile digital radios that meet Federal Mandate, utilizing the Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Grant in the amount of $278,240.00.  The remaining $136.12 will come from the Lawrence Police Department budget.