CITY MANAGER' S REPORT ITEM 5. 1
FEBRUARY 9, 2026 CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING
ITEM: PUBLIC HEARING ( PUBLISHED NOTICE) TO CONSIDER
ADOPTION OF AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL
OF THE CITY OF LATHROP TO UPDATE THE POLICY FOR
THE USE OF MILITARY EQUIPMENT BY THE LATHROP
POLICE DEPARTMENT, IN COMPLIANCE WITH
CALIFORNIA GOVERNMENT CODE SECTIONS 7070-
7075, ASSEMBLY BILL 481
RECOMMENDATION: The Council to Consider the Following Items:
1. Hold a Public Hearing Pursuant to Published
Notice; and
2. Take No Action. Staff Will Bring Item Back for
Future Consideration.
SUMMARY:
California Assembly Bill 481 ( AB 481), codified in California Government Code sections 7070-075, requires local Police Departments to implement a new, or update or add to, existing military equipment use policy, via ordinance, annually. AB 481 required initial adoption by April 30, 2022, to continue using previously acquired military equipment, effective May 1, 2022.
Lathrop Police Department caused a public hearing notice to be published and posted initial drafts of the 2025 Military Equipment List and the 2025 Annual Military Equipment Report. However, minor revisions were needed, and both documents were revised. New drafts were posted to the Police Department' s AB 481 webpage on
February 3, 2026, along with a revised Notice of Public Hearing published in the Manteca Bulletin on February 6, 2026. AB 481 requires the draft documents to be published to the Police Department' s
website 30 days ahead of a public hearing,
before Council can take action.
Tonight, the Police Department is requesting that the City Council hold a public hearing pursuant to published notice, receive information presented by the public, and close the public hearing. Staff will bring this item back to Council for future consideration.
BACKGROUND:
Assembly Bill 481 Background
On September 30, 2021, AB 481 was signed into law to address the funding, acquisition, and use of items lawmakers deem to be considered military equipment.
This bill requires law enforcement agencies to obtain approval of the applicable governing body, by adoption of a military equipment use policy, as specified, by ordinance at a
regular meeting held pursuant to specified open meeting laws, prior
CITY MANAGER' S REPORT
FEBRUARY 9, 2026 CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING
PUBLIC HEARING TO CONSIDER AN ORDINANCE FOR USE OF MILITARY
EQUIPMENT BY THE LATHROP POLICE DEPARTMENT
PAGE 2
to taking certain actions relating to the funding, acquisition, or use of military equipment, as defined by Government Code Section 7070.
FISCAL IMPACT:
There is no fiscal impact at this time. Staff will bring this item back to Council for future consideration. Any fiscal impact will be identified at that time.
REASON FOR RECOMMENDATION:
Lathrop Police Department caused a public hearing notice to be published and posted initial drafts of the 2025 Military Equipment List and the 2025 Annual Military Equipment Report. However, minor revisions were needed, and both documents were revised. New drafts were posted to the Police Department' s AB 481 webpage on
February 3, 2026, along with a revised Notice of Public Hearing published in the Manteca Bulletin on February 6, 2026. AB 481 requires the draft documents to be published to the Police Department' s
website 30 days ahead of a public hearing,
before Council can take action.
Staff requests City Council take no action at this time. Because an initial notice of public hearing was published on January 9, 2026, for a public hearing to be held February 9, 2026, Council is asked to open a public hearing, receive information presented by the public, and close the public hearing. Staff will bring this item back to Council for future consideration.
CITY MANAGER' S REPORT
FEBRUARY 9, 2026 CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING
PUBLIC HEARING TO CONSIDER AN ORDINANCE FOR USE OF MILITARY
EQUIPMENT BY THE LATHROP POLICE DEPARTMENT
APPROVALS:
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ief of Poll
Cari Jame
Finance Di ctor
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Date
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Date
PAGE 3
Thomas Hedegard Date
Deputy City Manager
2 - 3 - 1_01_
Salvador Navarrete Date
City Attorney
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Stephen J. Salvatore Date
City Manager
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