Title
a. Authorize the Sheriff to issue notice of non-renewal of the 1977 Permit issued to the Peace Officers Association of the County of Monterey (MCPOA) for use of the Law Enforcement Firearm Range (“Range”) at the Laguna Seca Recreational Area; and
b. Designate the Monterey County Sheriff’s Office to be responsible for operation, control, and maintenance of the Range for use by the Sheriff’s Office upon termination of the Permit and ensure continuing access and use of the Range by all law enforcement agencies within Monterey County.
Report
RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended that the Board of Supervisors take the following actions:
a. Authorize the Sheriff to issue notice of non-renewal of the 1977 Permit issued to the Peace Officers Association of the County of Monterey (MCPOA) for use of the Law Enforcement Firearm Range (“Range”) at the Laguna Seca Recreational Area; and
b. Designate the Monterey County Sheriff’s Office to be responsible for operation, control, and maintenance of the Range for use by the Sheriff’s Office upon termination of the Permit and ensure continuing access and use of the Range by all law enforcement agencies within Monterey County.
SUMMARY/DISCUSSION:
In February of 1977, the Board of Supervisors granted a permit to the MCPOA for use of the Range at Laguna Seca Recreation Area (attached). The Permit provided that the MCPOA operate, control, and maintain the facility for a law enforcement firearm range. The Permits as drafted provided for its expiration on December 31, 1980, with annual automatic renewal unless notice to the contrary was provided by either party of the permit. The MCPOA has operated the facility under annual renewal since 1980, providing access to the Sheriff and other law enforcement agencies for a fee.
The Sheriff’s Office has utilized the Range at Laguna Seca, the former firing range in King City, and the range at CDCR to meet firearms training mandates. The Sheriff’s Office curtailed utilizing the range at Laguna Seca as there was a per day “charge” to use the facilities. The Sheriff utilized the Salinas Valley State Prison Range and the King City range as there was no surcharge to use those sites. The King City Range became inoperable in 2014. Over the past 5 years the Sheriff’s Office has exclusively utilized range facilities at Salinas Valley State Prison. Recently, availability at the prison range has become a challenge. Deputies assigned to schedule training are having to wait until the end of a calendar month to get training dates for the following month (i.e. we don’t receive our August range dates until the end of July). Additionally, the CDCR range is only available on weekends. The combination of late notice of range availability coupled with the range only being open to the Sheriff’s Office on weekends; creates logistical and budgetary problems. Trying to schedule range training with less than a month notice of availability is difficult. Scheduling everyone to train and qualify on weekends is expensive. Although the Sheriff’s Office is a 24/7 operation, many employees have scheduled days off during weekends. All those employees must qualify on their days off which creates overtime expenses.
Monterey County Sheriff’s Office employs 350 peace officers. This is more than every other law enforcement agency in the county, combined. As the largest agency in the county, the Sheriff’s Office needs to have a primary firing range to address the training needs for Sheriff’s Personnel. The Sheriff needs to plan firearms training well in advance to meet the training requirements. The Sheriff also needs flexibility to schedule out ranges days for an entire week at a time. This will allow many more personnel to report to the firing range during a work shift and will cut overtime for firearms qualifications. Permitting the Sheriff to assume control and operation of the Range for firearms training will give the Sheriff much better ability to meet training needs and cut costs. Additionally, any fees generated from the operation of the range will be available to offset costs for range equipment, infrastructure improvements, and site maintenance. Under the recommended action, the Sheriff’s Office will manage, control, and maintain the facility, and ensure continued access to local law enforcement agencies that have historically used the facility under MCPOA administration.
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
The CAO and County Counsel were consulted in preparation of this staff report. The MCPOA has been advised of the proposed action. The Sheriff has already met and discussed this proposed action with local area Chiefs and other Law Enforcement Department Heads.
FINANCING:
Operation of the Range will be financed through the Sheriff’s Office approved FY 2020 budget appropriations, and costs of operation will partially be reimbursed through fees charged to third parties for access and use of the facility.
BOARD OF SUPERVISORS STRATEGIC INITIATIVES:
This Permit meets the Baord’s strategic initiatives by meeting the Board’s desire to:
Promote an organization that practices efficient and effective resource management and is recognized for responsiveness, strong customer orientation, accountability and transparency. As well as plan a safe environment for people to achieve their potential, leading businesses and communities to thrive and grow while reducing violent crimes.
Mark a check to the related Board of Supervisors Strategic Initiatives
__Economic Development
X Administration
__Health & Human Services
__Infrastructure
X Public Safety
Prepared by: John Mineau, Undersheriff, X3859
Approved by: Steve Bernal, Sheriff, X3856
Attachment: Permit for Use of Range at Laguna Seca Recreation Area