Business Item 5a
STAFF REPORT
City Council Business Item
DATE: December 5, 2022
TO: Honorable Mayor and Council Members
FROM: Casey J. Day, Chief of Police
THROUGH: Merritt Perry, City Manager
SUBJECT: Approve a Supplemental Budget Request and Authorize the Chief of Police to Purchase an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Utilizing Funds from the National Opioid Settlement, Resolution 2022-35
STAFF RECOMMENDATION:
In accordance with the City of Fortuna’s Military Policy (California Assembly Bill 481), approve through a Resolution of the City Council of the City of Fortuna, the procurement of certain military equipment items, specifically, an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV). In addition, approve a Supplemental Budget Request for the purchase of an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle and authorize the Chief of Police to purchase the Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) utilizing funds from the National opioid Settlement.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY:
On May 2, 2022, the City Council of the City of Fortuna passed Ordinance Number 2022-753. As a result, section 2.10.150 of the Fortuna Municipal Code was added to comply with California Assembly Bill 481 which among other things, added Chapter 12.8 to Division 7 of Title 1 to the California Government Code providing certain requirements for the funding, acquisition, and use of military equipment, as defined, by local law enforcement agencies.
In sub-section one (1), section 7070(c) of the California Government Code defines Unmanned, remotely piloted, powered aerial or ground vehicles (UAV’s) as “Military Equipment”. Upon the approval of Ordinance Number 2022-753, the current inventory of all items defined as “Military Equipment” which were determined to be in the equipment inventory of the Fortuna Police Department was also approved and incorporated. The current approved inventory includes one Mavic Pro Fly More Combo Platinum (UAV). This particular UAV is technologically obsolete and was purchased by the previous administration with hopes of implementing a UAV program. The project never came to fruition for unknown reasons.
UAV programs have become a standardized resource for law enforcement agencies nationally. The deployment of UAV’s assist officers or incident commanders with mitigation tools. Normally, Business Item 5a
UAV’s can assist and deploy to assist with the following:
Lawful Surveillance and/or Court Ordered Surveillance of Crime and Criminal Activity including Drug Trafficking Organizations (Core Strategy: G – Prevention programs). Major collision investigations
Search and rescue missions for missing persons
Natural Disaster Management
Crime Scene Photography
SWAT, tactical, or other public safety and life preservation missions In response to specific requests from local, state, or federal fire authorities for fire response and/or prevention or mitigation efforts.
UAV’s serve a vital mission critical purpose for law enforcement agencies and enhance public safety for the community. Upon approval, the Chief of Police will replace and update department owned UAV equipment immediately and add the new UAV equipment to the existing department inventory of “Military Equipment”. The UAV resource should be readily available and utilized for enhanced mitigation strategies, and more sophisticated response capabilities for critical incidents.
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
The City recently received the first payment of $17,836.03 from the National Opioid Settlement.
The use of these funds is authorized for the procurement of the proposed UAV equipment and by using these funds; there will be no impact to the currently approved budget. Staff is recommending $7,000.00 of National Opioid Settlement funds (185-5500-2000) be utilized for the purchase of the proposed UAV equipment.
RECOMMENDED COUNCIL ACTION:
1. Receive staff presentation and review Council questions with staff
2. Open Public Comment
3. Close Public Comment
4. Motion to adopt Resolution 2022-35, read by title only and approve a supplemental budget request in the amount of $7,000.00 for procurement of new UAV equipment, program implementation and training. Roll call vote.
ATTACHMENTS:
Resolution 2022-35, A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Fortuna Approving the Acquisition of Military Equipment, Make Findings Pursuant to the Military Equipment Policy, and Authoring an Amendment to the City’s Military Equipment Inventory. Supplemental Budget Request
Competitive Cost / Sole Source Documents