1 STAFF REPORT
DATE: June 24, 2025
TO: Justin Hess, City Manager
FROM: Rafael Quintero, Chief of Police
VIA: Viviana Garzon, Police Administrator
BY: Fletcher Stone, Police Sergeant
SUBJECT: Acceptance of a Donation of a 2025 Yamaha Utility Vehicle with an Estimated Value of $12,500 from Yamaha Motor Corporation, U.S.A. , for the Burbank Police Department’s Motor Officer Training Site
RECOMMENDATION
Accept a donation of a 2025 Yamaha Utility Vehicle from Yamaha Motor Corporation, U.S.A.(Yamaha) to be used by the Police Department’s Traffic Bureau and authorize the City Manager or designee to take any necessary action to effectuate the donation transfer.
BACKGROUND
The Burbank Police Department’s (Department) Motorcycle Enforcement Unit operates out of the Traffic Bureau and plays a vital role in supporting public safety throughout the community. Motor Officers are responsible for proactive traffic enforcement aimed at reducing collisions and promoting safe driving behavior. They respond to and investigate traffic collisions, including major injury and fatal incidents, and prepare comprehensive collision reports. In addition, they conduct targeted enforcement operatio ns such as DUI saturation patrols, speed enforcement, and school zone safety details. The Motorcycle Enforcement Unit also provides a visible police presence and traffic control support during special events and community gatherings held throughout the City. Motor Officers are often first on scene at roadway emergencies due to their mobility and quick response capabilities.
POLICE
DEPARTMENT
2 Officers assigned to the Motorcycle Enforcement Unit are required to complete an initial 120-hour training program at a closed course located at the Hollywood Burbank Airport (Airport). The training focuses on the safe operation of police motorcycles in both low - speed and high -speed environments , and includes instruction on slow -speed maneuvering, high -speed braking and cornering, defensive riding techniques, and navigating complex cone patterns designed to develop and assess essential riding techniques.
Once certified, Motor Officers are required to participate in monthly refresher training sessions conducted at the airport to maintain proficiency in their perishable riding skills.
These sessions involve re -running cone patterns and drills that reinforce critical techniques and safety practices. To support the setup and breakdown of these training exercises, the Department utilizes a utility vehicle to move hundreds of cones and other equipment across the large training area. The utility vehicle is an essential tool for maintaining the efficiency and safety of the training program.
DISCUSSION
Setting up the training site involves deploying multiple pieces of training equipment and placing hundreds of traffic cones across a large area of the Airport property. For several decades, this work has been carried out using a 1988 Suzuki All-Terrain Utility Vehicle, originally donated by the Department’s Air Support Unit. However, the vehicle has long exceeded its service life and is no longer operational, with replacement parts no longer available.
In pursuit of alternative funding for a replacement vehicle, staff submitted an application to Yamaha’s Outdoor Access Initiative, a program that supports organizations promoting safe and responsible outdoor vehicle use . Yamaha has notified the Department of its intent to donate a 2025 Yamaha UMAX Rally 2+2 Utility Vehicle, valued at $12,500 pursuant to the program.
3 In accordance with the City’s Administrative Procedure VI -12, Contribution of Merchandise or Money to City Departments , all contributions of merchandise valued at $5,000 or more must be formally accepted by City Council at a regularly scheduled meeting.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
Approval to accept this donation has no potential for resulting in either a direct physical change in the environment, or a reasonably foreseeable indirect physical change in the environment, and as such, is not a “project” subject to the requirements of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) 14 Cal. Code Regs § 15378.
FISCAL IMPACT
There is no fiscal impact to accept the donation of a 2025 Yamaha Utility Vehicle from Yamaha to the Department’s Traffic Bureau. The new utility vehicle replaces the existing non-operational vehicle, and all related expenses have already been accounted for in the Department’s budget.
CONCLUSION
Yamaha’s donation will directly support and strengthen th e Department’s Traffic Bureau Motorcycle Enforcement Unit. Motor Officers play a vital role in addressing traffic-related issues throughout the City, and ensuring they receive proper training is essential to maintaining both safety and operational effectiveness. This donation will enhance the Department’s ability to conduct and sustain both initial and ongoing training efforts at its dedicated motor training site.
ATTACHMENT
Attachment 1 – Donation and Indemnity Agreement