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: 5/16/2023 ITEM NO: 7
DATE: May 8, 2023
TO: Mayor and Town Council
FROM: Laurel Prevetti, Town Manager
SUBJECT: Ratify a First Amendment to the Axon Body Worn Camera Agreement for an
Increase of $15,095 and Authorize the Town Manager to Execute a Second
Amendment for Additional Storage for an increase of $10,000 for a Total
Agreement Not-to-Exceed Amount of $275,630
RECOMMENDATION:
Ratify a First Amendment to the Axon Body Worn Camera agreement for an increase of $15,095
and authorize the Town Manager to execute a second amendment for additional storage for an
increase of $10,000 for a total agreement not-to-exceed amount of $275,630.
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.
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.
PAGE 2 OF 3 SUBJECT: Ratify a First Amendment and Approval of a Second Amendment to the Axon Body Worn Camera Agreement DATE: May 8, 2023
BACKGROUND (continued):
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. Digital evidence storage
capacity requires an increase to accommodate an increase in BWC video within the Axon
Evidence.com system. Staff obtained a quote (Exhibit B to Attachment 2) and is requesting
approval in a second amendment for a total of up to $10,000 for ongoing payments related to
additional storage capacity for the remainder of the original agreement term.
Staff is bringing forward the first amendment to Axon’s Enterprises Inc. original BWC
agreement to document the purchase of additional equipment, maintenance services, and a
second amendment for additional digital storage capacity.
PAGE 3 OF 3 SUBJECT: Ratify a First Amendment and Approval of a Second Amendment to the Axon Body Worn Camera Agreement DATE: May 8, 2023
CONCLUSION:
Ratify the first amendment and authorize the Town Manager to execute the second
amendment to the Axon Body Worn Camera agreement for an increase of $25,095 for a total
agreement not-to-exceed amount of $275,630.
FISCAL IMPACT:
There is sufficient funding in the FY 2022/23 and proposed FY 2023/24 Police Department
operating budget to cover the increased cost of the added equipment, maintenance services,
and additional digital storage capacity.
ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT:
This is not a project defined under CEQA, and no further action is required.
Attachment:
1. First Amendment with Original Agreement
2. Draft Second Amendment and Exhibit B