RESOLUTION NO. RS2008-378

A resolution requesting the Mayor’s Office and the Metropolitan Department of General Services to prepare a report regarding the feasibility of installing GPS devices in Metro vehicles.

WHEREAS, the Metropolitan Department of General Services, Office of Fleet Management, is responsible for providing vehicles, equipment, maintenance, and support products for Metro Government departments and agencies; and

WHEREAS, a number of municipalities have recently experimented with installing global positioning satellite (GPS) devices in government vehicles in an effort to reduce fuel consumption and create more efficient routes; and

WHEREAS, the city of Islip, New York reported a savings of nearly 14,000 gallons of gas over a three-month period from the previous year after GPS devices were installed in the city’s 614 vehicles; and

WHEREAS, Denver, Colorado recently equipped 76 vehicles with GPS devices, which resulted in the vehicles being driven 5,000 fewer miles than the unequipped fleet was driven during the same period the year before; and

WHEREAS, Houston, Texas has successfully used GPS technology on garbage trucks to design more efficient trash collection routes, thereby reducing fuel costs and other expenses; and

WHEREAS, the ability to track government vehicles has proven to be a benefit in emergency situations when it is important to know the precise location of the vehicle; and

WHEREAS, based upon the reports for other cities that have utilized GPS technology in government vehicles, the Metropolitan Government could likely realize a considerable savings by using this technology, especially with diesel fuel costs now well above $4.00 per gallon, and would demonstrate to the Nashville community that Metro is working to protect taxpayer funds and reduce the unnecessary burning of fossil fuels; and

WHEREAS, it is fitting and proper that the Department of General Services study the feasibility of using GPS technology in Metro vehicles, and prepare a cost-benefit analysis report for the Metropolitan Council.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE METROPOLITAN GOVERNMENT OF NASHVILLE AND DAVIDSON COUNTY:

Section 1. That the Metropolitan County Council hereby goes on record as requesting the Mayor’s Office and the Metropolitan Department of General Services to prepare a report regarding the feasibility of installing GPS devices in Metro vehicles. Such report should include an examination of the vehicles used by all Metro departments and agencies, including the Metropolitan Transit Authority, and should describe the costs for installing the technology as well as an estimate of the projected savings that could be realized.

Section 2. The Department of General Services is further requested to present the report requested in Section 1 hereof to the Vice Mayor and the chairpersons of the Council standing committees not later than ninety (90) days after the adoption of this Resolution.

Section 3. The Metropolitan Clerk is directed to send a copy of this Resolution to Mayor Karl Dean and to Nancy Whittemore, the Director of the Metropolitan Department of General Services.

Section 4. This Resolution shall take effect from and after its adoption, the welfare of The Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County requiring it.

Sponsored by: Charlie Tygard