Item 4B - Covert Traffic CounterSTAFF REPORT
City of Atlantic Beach
Commission Meeting
AGENDA ITEM: Purchase of Covert Traffic Counter
DATE: May 7, 2015
SUBMITTED BY: J. Michael Deal, Chief of Police
BACKGROUND:
AGENDA ITEM #4B
MAY26, 2015
In September of2001, the Atlantic Beach Police Department acquired a 2001 Schumann
Cargo (PT-2) Trailer through an approved Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT)
Traffic Safety Grant. Since that time, the trailer had deteriorated to the point it was unsafe
to operate and too expensive to repair. The trailer was purchased for $4,465 (P .0.
026392) utilizing grant funds under the FDOT Contract Number AJ711, Project Number
FB-0 1-23-11-01. The Atlantic Beach Police Department auctioned the trailer on
December 18,2014 for $1,300. The grant guidelines require that proceeds gained by any
means, when the trailer is disposed of, must be reallocated and used toward the
department's traffic safety program.
The Police Department is requesting to purchase a second covert traffic counter to collect
vehicle data to be used in analyzing and assessing traffic safety concerns. The
department receives numerous requests for traffic studies related to speed and vehicle
counts throughout the year. We currently have one traffic counter (Jamar Technologies
Radar Recorder) that we use on a regular basis. This unit is deployed for at least 10 to 14
days in order to collect a good representative sample. There are times when we get
multiple requests and having a second traffic counter would allow us to study two
different locations at one time.
A new Jamar Technologies Radar Recorder costs $3,550. The funds received from the
auctioned trailer will be used to pay a portion of this cost. The remaining balance of
$2,250 will be funded through existing monies in the Police Department budget.
BUDGET: Funds are currently available in the Public Safety budget for equipment
supplemented by the sale of the old trailer totaling $3,550. The approved use of the
proceeds from the sale of the old trailer will be included in our next midyear budget
modification as has been done in the past to create a budget for the grant generated
mcome.
RECOMMENDATIONS: Approval by Commission to utilize the above funds toward
the purchase of another covert traffic counter.
ATTACHMENTS: None
REVIEWED BY CITY MANAGER: '---7/lv VeL--c--. c/~