Staff Report.Amendment Axon BWC Agr
PREPARED BY: Heather St. John
Senior Administrative Analyst
Reviewed by: Town Manager, Police Chief, Town Attorney, and Finance Director
110 E. Main Street Los Gatos, CA 95030 ● (408) 354-6832
www.losgatosca.gov
TOWN OF LOS GATOS
COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT
MEETING DATE: 5/2/2023 ITEM NO: 11
DATE: April 20, 2023
TO: Mayor and Town Council
FROM: Laurel Prevetti, Town Manager
SUBJECT: Approve a First Amendment to the Axon Body Worn Camera Agreement for
an Increase of $25,095 for a Total Agreement Not-to-Exceed Amount of
$275,629 Consisting of the Following:
a. Increase Total Quantity of Axon Body-Worn Camera Equipment and
Charging Docks Not to Exceed a Total of $15,095; and
b. Increase Axon Digital Evidence Storage Capacity for Audio and Video
Recordings Not to Exceed a Total of $10,000
RECOMMENDATION:
Approve a first amendment to the Axon Body Worn Camera agreement for an increase of
$25,095 for a total agreement not-to-exceed amount of $275,629 consisting of the following:
a. Increase total quantity of Axon body-worn camera equipment and charging docks not to
exceed a total of $15,095; and
b. Increase Axon digital evidence storage capacity for audio and video recordings not to
exceed a total of $10,000.
BACKGROUND:
On February 18, 2020, the Town Council approved allocation of $377,130 of total funding to
authorize the Town Manager to execute two five-year agreements with Axon Enterprises Inc.
for the purchase and maintenance of Body-Worn Cameras (BWC) and conducted energy
weapons (Tasers). The Axon Enterprises Inc. BWC original agreement totaled $250,534 of the
$377,130 authorized amount, which consisted of body-worn cameras and digital evidence
storage and maintenance for the duration of the agreement term through FY 2023/24.
PAGE 2 OF 3 SUBJECT: Approve a First Amendment to the Axon Body Worn Camera Agreement DATE: April 20, 2023
BACKGROUND (continued):
The Los Gatos-Monte Sereno Police Department was a pioneer in Santa Clara County in
deploying Officers with body-worn cameras (BWC) beginning in 2008. In 2020, the Town’s
Information Technology Department and Police Department identified Axon Enterprises Inc. as
a preferred sole source vendor with upgraded BWC technology and a digital evidence storage
platform for a successful BWC program, in compliance with best practices in accordance with
legislative mandates.
The current law enforcement practice is to collect and retain digital evidence on a single
operating platform. This allows for seamless collection of BWC audio and video, patrol vehicle
in-car camera audio and video as well as other digital evidence. The Axon Enterprise Inc. BWC
equipment and data storage platform (Evidence.com) meets these critical needs and benefits
the Town, Police Department, and the public through enhanced evidence collection, retention,
increased Officer safety, accountability, and transparency.
DISCUSSION:
In 2021, the Town Manager approved a First Amendment with Axon (Attachment 1). The Town
Attorney at the time determined that this was within the authority of the Town Manager
because the increase in the total agreement was $15,095 and there was an immediate need for
the Police Department to implement the new BWC program. At the time, staff recognized that
this increase would affect the total dollar amount of the original Axon maintenance agreement
and would be required to be brought forward for Council in the future for approval. This item is
now before the current Council to provide an opportunity for formal approval of the First
Amendment
In 2021, the Department purchased an additional three BWC devices (for a total of 48 total
BWC devices), a multi-device charging and digital upload dock, and six individual charging dock
replacements. As best practice in accordance with state law and department policies, the
additional cameras were purchased to outfit additional field personnel such as Community
Service Officers and Reserve Police Officers with BWC technology. In addition, the Department
also recognizes that maintaining several readily available replacement cameras allows for
individual BWC replacement while faulty equipment is repaired and serviced.
Throughout the past several years, staff has monitored the Axon BWC digital evidence storage
use and capacity, and ongoing annual payments for this service. It is anticipated that prior to
the end of the Axon Enterprises Inc. BWC and digital storage agreement term in FY 2023/24,
digital evidence storage capacity may need to be increased to accommodate an increase in
BWC video within the Axon Evidence.com system. Staff estimates a total increase of up to
$10,000 for ongoing payments related to additional storage capacity for the remainder of the
original agreement term.
PAGE 3 OF 3 SUBJECT: Approve a First Amendment to the Axon Body Worn Camera Agreement DATE: April 20, 2023
DISCUSSION (continued):
Staff is bringing forward this amendment to Axon’s Enterprises Inc. original BWC agreement to
document the purchase of additional equipment and maintenance services, and potential
funding for additional digital storage capacity.
CONCLUSION:
Approve the first amendment to the Axon Body Worn Camera agreement for an increase of
$25,095 for a total agreement not-to-exceed amount of $275,629.
FISCAL IMPACT:
The addition of three body-worn cameras purchased in 2021 increased the annual maintenance
costs within the original Axon Enterprises Inc. agreement for payments due in FY 2022/23 and
in FY 2023/24 by a total of $15,095. There is sufficient funding in the FY 2022/23 Police
Department operating budget to cover the increased cost of the additional maintenance
services. In addition, funding for the anticipated increase in potential additional digital storage
capacity for the remainder of the agreement term has been programmed in the proposed FY
2023/24 Police Department operating budget.
ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT:
This is not a project defined under CEQA, and no further action is required.
Attachment:
1. First Amendment with Original Agreement