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Council debate centers on police vehicle purchases and the use of reserve funds as public opposes electric models
Summary
Councilmembers debated whether to use reserve funds to buy new police vehicles, including battery-electric 'Moki' models, after public commenters and some council members raised concerns about EV reliability in winter and fiscal sustainability.
Public commenters and council members spent significant time debating the city’s plan to purchase new police vehicles and whether to fund them from reserves.
Public concerns: Will (public commenter) told the council he strongly opposes purchasing the battery electric 'Moki' vehicle for the police fleet, citing reported electrical problems and poor cold‑climate performance. "So please do not purchase this electric vehicle," he said during the consent-agenda public comment period. A second commenter, Sunshine, echoed that concern and said police officers report electric vehicles do not last long enough for a full shift.
Council debate: Council Member Cathcart said he opposed buying the electric models and objected to drawing on one-time reserve funds for these purchases, saying reserves should not be treated like a "piggy bank" and that the city needs a broader fleet strategy. He stated he is "opposing three through six and similarly number nine" because of long-term reserve concerns. Other council members noted that the police department recommended the purchases to address an aging fleet and to support the traffic unit created by a recent public-safety measure. One council member noted roughly $250,000 had been set aside and asked whether that was the best use of limited reserves.
Why it matters: The debate touches budget priorities, long-term fleet planning and the city’s ability to support community policing and traffic‑unit operations. Council members framed the choice as one between immediate fleet needs and preserving reserves for other city obligations.
Outcome: The council moved forward with votes on the listed consent items after debate; specific roll-call tallies for the consent items were not recorded in the meeting audio for each item (the subsequent contract and vacation items were recorded as passing 7–0). The issue of fleet policy and a broader assessment of needs was flagged for future discussion with the mayor and staff.
