The request is to authorize the City Manager to purchase a 2007 Fleetwood Manufactured Home 30’ x 60’ located at 6938 Plathe Road from Diane and Richard Case in the amount of $127,333 relating to the continued surveillance and other police related responsibilities at the James E. Grey Preserve.

The James E. Grey Preserve is the City’s largest park. In fact the park is 98 acres in size and it serves residents and visitors to the area with a wide variety of site amenities. In the interest of public safety it has been the practice of the city to position a police officer to reside on property located adjacent to the park. The property which is owned by the city currently has an 1800 sq. ft. manufactured home situated on the property.  The manufactured home is used to house an officer of the police department who in addition to their regular responsibilities assumes the following specific duties related to the park:

1. Making a presence on the property and patrol the site regularly as a deterrent to theft, vandalism, disturbances etc.
2. Patrol the property to detect fires, unsafe conditions, noise violations, overcrowding or large gatherings, etc.
3. Detect signs of intrusion and ensure that the gates are secured around the park when it is closed to the public
4. Investigates and write reports to document accidents, incidents, suspicious activities, and fire hazards, and other courtesy patrol related situations
5. Provide any needed assistance to residents and/or visitors

The manufactured home that is currently on the property was purchased and sited through the efforts of the officer that most recently was given the extra duty assignment to the James E. Grey Preserve.  That specific officer is no longer employed by the city and as a consequence I am interested in purchasing the 2007 Fleetwood Manufactured Home that is in place rather than to construct a house or purchase another manufactured home to replace it.  In that respect an appraisal of the manufactured home was conducted by J.D. Wallace & Associates, Inc and a report which is attached for your reference assigns a value of $127,333 to the structure.  I believe that it is fair and just to be the appraised value for the structure. In closing, I think that it is appropriate to note the importance of this program as having a high law enforcement visibility not only provides a level of safety to those who visit the preserve but also serves as a deterrent for any criminal mischief that may occur at this unspoiled location.