HomeMy WebLinkAbout18-Police Department CITY OF SAN BE RNARDINO — REQUEST FOR COUNCIL Al
From: Michael A. Billdt, Chief of Police Subject: Set public hearing for 4:00 p.m. on
April 7, 2008, regarding formalization of a Red
Dept: Police Department Light Camera Photo Enforcement System
policy and expansion of the existing Traffic
Date: March 14, 2008 Signal Violation System.
M/CC DATE: March 17, 2008
Synopsis of Previous Council Action
5-4-2006 Resolution No. 2005-107- Contract with Nestor Traffic Systems
5-4-2006 Resolution No. 2005-107A- Contract with Cal-Trans for State Signal Access
Recommended Motion:
1. That the Mayor and Common Council set a public hearing for 4:00 p.m. on April 7, 2008,
for the purpose of formalizing a Red Light Camera Photo Enforcement System policy and
authorizing an amendment to the Lease and Services Agreement with Nestor Traffic
Systems,Inc,to expand the existing Traffic Signal Violation System.
"A
MICHAEL A. BILLDT, MIEF OF POLICE
Contact person: Captain Theodis Henson Phone: 384-5609
Supporting data attached: Yes Staff Report/Resolution Ward: All
FUNDING REQUIREMENTS: Amount: $84,180.00
Source: 001-217-5505
Finance
Council Notes:
Agenda Item No.
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CITY OF SAN BERNARDINO — REQUEST FOR COUNCIL ACTION
Staff Report
Subiect
Set public hearing for 4:00 p.m. on April 7, 2008,regarding formalization of a Red Light Camera
Photo Enforcement System policy and expansion of the existing Traffic Signal Violation System.
Background
On May 4, 2005, the Mayor and Common Council approved Resolution No. 2005-107,
authorizing a Lease and Services Agreement with Nestor Traffic Systems, Inc., for a Traffic
Signal Violation System. The goal of this program is to improve our traffic safety program to
reduce the number of traffic accidents caused by red light violations. We do this by following
the Federal Highway Administration's (FHA) suggestion to train against aggressive driving
habits and inattention by using red light camera systems as a force multiplier to enforce red light
laws. Exhibit A of the Lease specified that video monitoring systems would monitor a minimum
of eight (8) approaches at the following four (4) intersections selected by mutual agreement of
City and Nestor.
Implementation was phased in starting with Waterman Avenue and Hospitality Lane according
to the following matrix.. A 30-day warning period and a series of press releases preceded the
start of enforcement activities at each intersection.
Location Start-Up Enforcement Citations/Warnings
Date Date (up to 11112008)
Waterman Ave. and Hospitality Lane 7/1/2005 8/1/2005 13,279
40t Street and Waterman Avenue 10/1/2006* 11/1/2006* 1,573
Highland Avenue and Arden Street 10/1/2006* 11/1/2006* 4,878
30t Street and Waterman Avenue 12/20/2007* 1/20/2008* 215
Total Citations &Warnings 19,945
* These three intersections are controlled and maintained by the California Department of
Transportation (Cal-Trans). Implementation of the video monitoring systems at these
intersections was delayed due to concerns and revised safety demands raised by Cal-Trans. The
Waterman Avenue and 301h Street implementation date was delayed the longest due to concerns
by Cal-Trans about overhead high voltage electrical lines. Nestor Traffic Systems had to
redesign their plans and re-submit several revised sets of plans to Cal-Trans to accommodate
their concerns.
The Red Light Camera Enforcement project has significantly reduced the number of injuries
associated with collisions at the enforcement intersections as demonstrated in the following
tables. This success can be attributed to the actual enforcement and the visual impact of the
equipment in place at the intersections.
i
Hospitality and Waterman —Enforcement started 08-01-2005
Year Collisions Injuries
2005 (Jan - Dec 05) 50 23
2006 Jan - Dec 06 25 11
2007 (Jan - Dec 07) 13 4
40TH Street and Waterman —Enforcement started 12-01-2006
Year Collisions Injuries
2005 Dec 04 - Dec 05 23 13
2006 (Dec 05 -Nov 06) 24 14
2007 (Dec 06 - Nov 07) 13 4
Arden and Hi hland—Enforcement started 12-01-2006
Year Collisions Injuries
2005 (Dec 04 - Nov 05) 24 8
2006 Dec 05 -Nov 06) 24 14
2007 (Dec 06 -Nov 07) 23 5
30TH Street and Waterman —Enforcement started 01-20-2008
Year Collisions Injuries
2005 Jan 05 - Dec 05 24 12
2006 Jan 06 - Dec 06)* 14 2
2007 (Jan 07 - Dec 07)* 15 4
* While enforcement did not start at 30`h and Waterman until 01-20-2008, enforcement signs
were posted at the intersection during the summer of 2006 when construction started.
The Police Department is recommending that the Traffic Signal Violation System be expanded
by twenty-three (23) approaches at seven (7) intersections for a total of thirty-one (31)
approaches at eleven (11) intersections. This recommendation is based on the reduction in traffic
accidents caused by red light violations at the initial four intersections. The expansion will
improve traffic safety by further reducing the number of serious traffic accidents and the number
of injuries caused by red light violations while increasing the public's awareness of red light
intersection safety. The Department is recommending that the following seven (7) additional
intersections be equipped with Traffic Signal Warning Systems:
Location Number o A roaches
-University Parkway and Kendall Drive 4—All directions
Tippecanoe Ave and San Bernardino Ave 4—All directions
Victoria Ave and Citrus Ave 2 —North and south
Waterman Ave and Highland Ave 4—All directions
E Street and Orange Show Road 4—All directions
Mt Vernon Ave and 9'h Street 2—North and south
Tippecanoe Ave and Harriman Ave 3 —North, South, and East
Nestor Traffic Systems will begin construction upon executing the amendment to Lease and
Services Agreement. Construction be completed in groups of two (last group would be 3
intersections), with each group of two intersections taking about 90 days to complete. All seven
intersections are controlled and maintained by the City; therefore, there will be no interaction
with Cal-Trans. Full implementation will be completed by December 31, 2008.
The additional seven intersections will spend the remainder of FY 2007/08 in the implementation
phase (with the exception of the first two intersections which will operate for two months of FY
2007/08); however, they are projected to generate 39,000 citations during FY 2008/09. The
actual and projected citations for FY 2006/07 through FY 2009/10 are as follows:
FY 06107 FY 07108 FY 08109 FY 09110
Intersection Group Actual Projected Projected Projected
Original Four Intersections 10,451 13,182 14,268 14,268
Phase II Seven Intersections 0 3,000 39,000 49,200
Total Citations 10,451 16,182 53,268 63,468
The Police Department currently uses a police officer to perform 20 to 24 hours per week of
Traffic Signal Violation System duties for the four operational intersections. These duties
include viewing videos of violations and approving citations, showing violations to drivers,
preparation for court, and court testimony. This commitment is projected to grow to a minimum
of 80 hours per week to administer 11 intersections (4 Phase-I + 7 Phase-II). The additional
hours for the Phase-II intersections include a second dedicated court day each week, based on
projections from the San Bernardino Superior Court. These duties can be performed by one
police officer and one Community Service Officer III, each dedicated 100% of the time to the
Traffic Signal Violation System program. The duties would be divided as follows:
Community Service
Traffic Signal Violation System Police Officer Officer Supervisor
Program Duties Hours Hours
Reviewing violations/issuing citations 22 0
Showing videotaped violations to drivers 0 10
Preparation work for court 0 12
Court testimony 16 8
Inspection of intersections 2 4
Administrative work 0 6
Total per classification 40 40
The Police Department is recommending that one (1) additional Community Service Officer
Supervisor position be added to the department's Table of Organization as of October 1, 2008
and one additional Police Officer position on January 1, 2009. Without these additional positions
the Police Department would be forced to abandon the proposed expansion or further utilize
existing patrol field resources, diminishing police visibility in the community and increasing
response times.
The California Vehicle Code Section 21455.5 (a) requires that the City of San Bernardino have a
policy regarding the operation of a Red Light Camera Photo Enforcement System and the
selection of locations. Additionally, the California Vehicle Code section 21455.6 (a) requires a
city council or county board of supervisors shall conduct a public hearing on the proposed use of
an automated enforcement system authorized under Section 21455.5 prior to authorizing the city
or county to enter into a contract for the use of the system. This expansion also formalizes the
City of San Bernardino's existing policy regarding the operation of our Red Light Camera Photo
Enforcement System in the Resolution.
Financial Impact
The FY 2007/08 adopted budget includes $391,200 for lease payments to Nestor Traffic Systems
for the initial four intersections. Approximately $100,000 will be available to cover the initial
$84,180 in additional lease payments associated with this expansion in FY 2007/08 due to the
extended delay in implementing the 30th and Waterman Avenue intersection.
The costs of the current and proposed contract amendment with Nestor Traffic Systems, Inc. are
as follows:
• For the existing four intersections the fixed rate cost per-approach (one side of an
intersection) for the eight existing approaches (2 at each of the four existing
III
intersections) is $5,015.00 per month. These costs are valid for the four year
enforcement period at each intersection (starting on the original date of initial
enforcement) and will be renegotiated for FY 2009/10.
• For the additional seven intersections, the fixed rate cost per-approach for new sites
will be $7,015.00 per month. Nestor Traffic Systems explains that this is the current
basic approach cost. This cost includes any number of digital cameras necessary to
properly capture violations for left turn violations, right turn violations, and straight-
through violations, plus all processing, court services, and violator services for the
approach. Nestor no longer provides analog camera approaches (like our initial 8
approaches). This fixed price is valid for the entire four year contractual enforcement
period for each approach.
Projected gross and net revenues after expenses for the remainder of FY 2007/08, FY 2008/09
and FY 2009/10 for the Traffic Signal Violation System are as follows:
FY 07108 FY 08109 FY 09110
Projected gross revenues $606,672 $2,110,464 $3,046,464
Projected Expenses:
Nestor lease payments including $505,440 $1,835,335 $2,249,220
Seven new intersections
(incremental)
Police officer(A/B step— $-0- $47,566* $108,699
Sala /Benefits
Community Service Officer $-0- $53,409** $83,775
Supervisor(Ste 1 — Salary/
Benefits
Total expenses $505,440 $1,936,310 $2,441,694
Net revenues $101,232 $174,154 $604,770
* New Police Officer position will be filled on January 1, 2009.
** New CSO Supervisor position would be filled October 1, 2008. Both positions are necessary
to handle the increased workload resulting from the expansion of the program.
Net revenues are calculated using the following historical information and assumptions:
• Projected citations generated from each intersection are based on a combination of the
number of test day violations recorded by Nestor for each proposed intersection along
with historical data from the original four intersections. Actual citations recorded at each
intersection may be higher or lower than projected.
• Nestor lease payments are based on the costs included in the current and amended
contracts (current contract costs are subject to renegotiation, starting July 1, 2009).
• Approximately 32% of all Red Light Camera Enforcement citations result in a fine being
paid (based on historical data). The remaining citations do not result in fines for a variety
of reasons, including failure to appear and dismissals.
• There is a two to three month delay in collecting fine revenue from the County due to the
setting of arraignment and court dates and payments being received and forwarded.
• The presiding Traffic Court judge has the prerogative to dismiss citations and may reduce
fines when drivers complete community service and/or attend traffic school.
• The County retains are large portion of the fines paid. For example, for a $408 fine the
City receives $150.
Recommendations
1. That the Mayor and Common Council set a public hearing for 4:00 p.m. on April 7, 2008,
for the purpose of formalizing a Red Light Camera Photo Enforcement System policy
and authorizing an amendment to the Lease and Services Agreement with Nestor Traffic
Systems, Inc, to expand the existing Traffic Signal Violation System.