One car, maybe two, but no motorcycles.
That’s the word from the Clarkston City Council, who voted 4-3 Monday against further funding of police department motor bikes.
But just because the city won’t continue to fund the bikes next year doesn’t necessarily mean they’ll disappear from Clarkston streets.
‘I guess we’ll have to figure out what we’re going to do,? said Police Chief Dale LaCroix. ‘They’re paid until January, so we don’t have to worry about it right away.?
This year, LaCroix said, was the first in a multi-year lease agreement.
‘That’s the reason the price was so good,? he said. ‘We agreed to lease three years in a row.?
LaCroix said the bikes are a value to the department, noting he hopes to secure an alternate method of financing for the coming years.
The city was leasing two bikes, at $3,900 annually, from Motor City Harley Davidson; the cost for one bike is $1,900.
Councilman Charles Inabnit has been the most outspoken advocate of removing the motorcycles from city coffers.
‘No other community our size has them,? he said at the June 22 council meeting. ‘We need vehicles that any officer can walk out, any day of the year, and get in.?
The issue, he noted, was one of ‘needs? verses ‘wants.?
Councilmen Cory Johnston and Thomas Hunter also voted against funding the motorcycles, as did Councilwoman Peg Roth.
Councilman Mike Gawronski, on the other hand, said the bikes were ‘useful tools? for the police department.
‘I know there have been concerns whether they’re being used correctly,? he said. ‘But that’s not the motorcycle’s fault; it’s a management issue.?
Gawronski said two bikes were ‘a great bargain? at $3,900 per year.
‘I don’t think we should get rid of the one we have,? he said.
Councilman Jim Brueck and Mayor Steve Arkwright agreed.
‘I think the motorcycles should stay in (the budget),? Arkwright said. ‘I think we should have two.?
Two first-time resident attendees also thought the bikes were a good idea. Becky Summerlee voiced support for the bikes, as did fellow Clarkstonite Craig Fraser.
‘The motorcycles really improve community visibility,? said Fraser. ‘The officers are very approachable. From a citizen standpoint, I’d say we spend a lot of money on police protection; I like that. I’m a big supporter; $3,800 for motorcycle is a solid expense.?
John Morgan, one of Clarkston’s reserve officers, said he felt the bikes were a good PR tool for the department.
‘When we’re out, people walk up to talk with us; we let kids sit on the bikes and turn on the lights,? he said. ‘When we’re in the car, it’s like we have a glass cage around us.?
Nevertheless, the bikes were booted from the budget by the 4-3 vote.
The council did, however, approve financing of a new police car the chief says is sorely needed.
The new vehicle, a 6-cylindar 2009 Dodge Charger with about 6,600 miles, has been on loan to the city as a demo in recent weeks, and has been offered for sale at $14,615.
‘We’re in the process of tracking down the parts we need,? said LaCroix. ‘Then we’ll send it over to the Oakland County garage where they’ll put it together so it’s all wired properly and whatnot.?
Additional parts and service are expected to cost around $3,500.
City Manager Dennis Ritter, who said the city is watching for a deal on a second car, said the Charger will be purchased with an installment loan at an interest rate of 3.99 percent for 48 months.
LaCroix said the average life of a police car is about four years.