City of Gonzales
CITY ATTORNEY
STAFF REPORT
TO: Honorable Mayor Rios and City Council
DATE: May 19, 2025
FROM: Michael Rodriquez, City Attorney
THROUGH: Carmen Gil, City Manager
SUBJECT: Gonzales Police Department's AB 481 Annual Report 2024-2025
RECOMMENDATION
Accept the Gonzales Police Department’s AB 481 Annual Report, and direct staff to post it on the Police Department and the City’s website, and direct that the “meeting” to allow public questions and input on the Report be appropriately publicized before the July 21st meeting.
BACKGROUND
Effective January 1, 2022, Assembly Bill 481 (codified in Government Code Section 7070 et seq.) requires legislative bodies to adopt ordinances approving military equipment use policies before law enforcement agencies can continue to engage in specified activities related to the use of what the state legislature has now defined as “military equipment” in Government Code Section 7070. Ordinance No. 2022-131 “Approving Gonzales Police Department Policy Manual Policy 709-Military Equipment” was approved by the City Council on June 20, 2022.
REVIEW & ANALYSIS
Government Code Section 7071(e)(1) states that a governing body shall review any ordinance it has adopted pursuant to this section approving the funding, acquisition, or use of military equipment at least annually and, subject to paragraph (e)(2), vote on whether to review the ordinance at a regular meeting.
Said review is scheduled for the Gonzales City Council meeting of July 21, 2025.
Government Code Section 7072 also provides that any law enforcement agency that receives approval for a military use policy pursuant to Section 7071 shall submit to the governing body an annual military equipment report for each type of military equipment approved. The Annual Report is meant to provide yearly information about each type of military equipment that was approved by Council. The report AGENDA
ITEM
21 contains a summary of how the equipment is used (if at all), any complaints or concerns received about the equipment, and any associated costs related to the equipment’s use. The law enforcement agency shall also make each annual military equipment report required by this section publicly available on its internet website.
After submitting an annual military equipment report to its governing body, and making said report and related documents available to the public for review for a minimum of 30 days, the law enforcement agency is required to hold at least one well-publicized meeting at which the general public may discuss and ask questions regarding the report and the law enforcement agency’s funding, acquisition or use of military equipment. The City plans to hold such a meeting as a part of its regular City Council meeting on July 21, 2025.
The City’s Police Department has now prepared its AB 481 Annual Report, a copy of which is attached hereto as Attachment 1. No new military equipment has been purchased in Fiscal Year 2024-2025. No action needs to be taken this evening other than to accept the report, direct that it be posted on the Police Department and the City’s website, and direct that the “meeting” to allow public questions and input on the Report be appropriately publicized before the July 21, 2025 meeting. The Council is also free to ask any questions it may have regarding the Annual Report.
Explain Recommendation and How it Supports the Vision.
Gonzales will continue to be a safe, clean, family-friendly community, diverse in its heritage, and committed to working collaboratively to preserve and retain its small town charm.
Explain: Tracking military equipment owned and used by the Police Department has been deemed by the legislature as an effective means of reassuring the public that such equipment is being properly deployed and is necessary for public safety.
Explain how the Recommendation Directly Implements the Mission The City Council and Staff of the City of Gonzales will realize our Vision by providing the leadership, commitment and resources necessary to provide excellent services that enhance the quality of life of our diverse community. X Yes ____No ____NA
Explain: It is important for the residents of Gonzales to know what equipment is available to the Police Department to provide protection services in an effective and cost-efficient manner.
City services will be delivered in a cost-effective, respectful and friendly manner to ensure the safety and well being of the residents and the promotion of business, recreational, housing and employment opportunities in an environmentally sustainable manner. X Yes ___No ___NA Explain: See above.
Strong fiscal policies allow us to provide appropriate infrastructure for:
• Public Safety Yes ____ No X NA
• Housing Yes ____ No X NA
• Recreation Yes ____ No X NA
• Environment Yes ____ No X NA
• Education Yes ____ No X NA
Explain: NA.
ALTERNATIVES
None at this time.
BUDGET IMPACT
No budget impact is associated with receipt of the attached report.
CONCLUSION
The Council should accept the report, direct that it be posted on the Police Department and the City’s website, and direct that the “meeting” to allow public questions and input on the Report be appropriately publicized before the July 21st meeting.
Attachments:
1. AB 481 Annual Report 2024-2025