Agenda packet — Soledad City Council, July 1, 2026 (part 3 of 3)

FISCAL YEAR: 2026/27 to 2026/27

SELF-INSURANCE CERTIFICATION BY LOCAL AGENCY FOR

TORT LIABILITY
This is to certify that LOCAL AGENCY has elected to be self-insured under the self-insurance provision provided in Exhibit C, Section 17.

By:

Signature Printed Name
Title Date

SELF-INSURANCE CERTIFICATION BY LOCAL AGENCY
FOR

WORKER'S COMPENSATION BENEFITS
This is to certify that LOCAL AGENCY has elected to be self-insured for Workers' Compensation benefits which comply with Labor Code Section 3700 as provided in Exhibit C, Section 18.

By:

Signature Printed Name
Title Date

SELF-INSURANCE CERTIFICATION BY LOCAL AGENCY
FOR

LOCAL AGENCY-OWNED VEHICLES
This is to certify that LOCAL AGENCY has elected to be self-insured for local agency-owned vehicles under the self-insurance provision provided in Exhibit D, Schedule D.

By:

Signature Printed Name
Title Date
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Dated: ______________________ By:______________________________ Matthew Sully
Cooperative Fire Program
CAL FIRE Cooperative Fire Program
Dated: ______________________ By:______________________________ Megan Hunter
City Manager
City of Soledad

378
SUBJECT: Receive Soledad Police Department AB 481 Annual Report and Provide Direction
TO: Honorable Mayor Velazquez and City Council
FROM: Mike Rodriquez, City Attorney
MEETING DATE: July 1, 2026

CITY OF SOLEDAD

STAFF REPORT
THROUGH: Megan Hunter, City Manager
AGENDA ITEM NO. 2.

Recommendation
It is recommended that the City Council receive the Soledad Police Department’s AB 481 Annual Report and provide Staff with direction on publicizing the report and bringing the same back for Council and public comment and consideration.

Executive Summary
Per Assembly Bill 481, as codified in Government Code Section 7070, et seq., in 2022 the City Council was compelled to adopt an ordinance approving policies applicable to the Police Department’s use of military equipment. After adoption of said ordinance, the City’s Police Department is required to provide the Council with an Annual Report concerning the previous year’s use of military equipment and make the report available for Council and public comment. The Report is then used by the Council as part of its annual review and renewal of the City’s Military Equipment Use Policy Ordinance, which will be scheduled for August 5, 2026.

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 defined as “military equipment” in Government Code Section 7070. Ordinance No. 743 “Approving Soledad Police Department Policy Manual Policy 709-Military Equipment” was approved by the City Council on June 15, 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 renew the ordinance at a regular meeting. Said review is scheduled for the City Council meeting of August 5, 2026. 379
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 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 August 5, 2026.

The City’s Police Department has now prepared its 2025-2026 AB 481 Annual Report, a copy of which is attached hereto as Attachment 1. No action needs to be taken this evening other than to accept the report, direct that it be posted on the Police Department and City’s websites, and direct that the “meeting” to allow public questions and input on the Report be appropriately publicized before the August 5 meeting. The Council is also free to ask any questions it may have regarding the Annual Report.

This year’s Annual Report includes two new entries for unmanned aerial systems (drones). One drone, the Skydio X2 UAS, was purchased in 2022 and has been in use periodically since that time. This model has been discontinued by the manufacturer and has not received much use in the past year due to technical problems that can no longer be remedied. The other drone, the much smaller DJI Avata 2 FPV, was purchased on March 4, 2026. It has yet to be deployed by the Police Department. The Skydio X2 has been left off previous reports as the result of a misunderstanding that led to the Department’s erroneous conclusion that the involved equipment was exempt from acquisition and disclosure requirements contained in the City’s Military Use Policy. Neither acquisition nor use of either drone was ever formally approved by the Council by ordinance, as required by law. This mistake, and the prior year’s use of the equipment, if any, has been included in this year’s report for transparency purposes. Further use of the equipment will be prohibited until the Council considers retroactive approval of the acquisition and use of the drones. It should be noted that, generally speaking, California’s Military Equipment Law applies only to law enforcement agencies, and as such, CAL FIRE will still have access to drones for fire suppression purposes.

Financial Considerations
There are no financial impacts associated with the submission of the Police Department’s AB 481 Annual Report.

Strategic Plan Alignment
Consideration and adoption of the AB 481 Annual Report and renewal of the adoption of the City’s Ordinance approving policies applicable to the Police Department’s use of military equipment is consistent with Soledad Strategic Plan Goal 6.1-Strengthen Community Trust and Public Safety through Partnership and Community Policing, and Objective 6.1.1-Strengthen relationships between police and residents, by increasing transparency with respect to the purchase and use of military 380
Revised AB 481 Annual Report
equipment for law enforcement purposes. The involved annual review process allows the public to ascertain information about and provide input on the acquisition, use, and maintenance costs associated with such equipment.

Alternatives
Accept the AB 481 Annual Report and provide direction to Staff concerning publicizing the report for public review and comment.

Do not accept the Report and provide alternative direction to Staff. This is not recommended as the acceptance of the Report is a prerequisite to subsequent action that must be taken by the City concerning the City’s Military Equipment Ordinance.

Planning/CEQA
Submission of the Police Department’s AB 481 Annual Report is exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (“CEQA”). Said action is not a “project” within the meaning of Section 15378 of the State CEQA Guidelines since there is no potential for the action to result in direct or indirect physical change to the environment. In addition, the action is not subject to CEQA pursuant to State CEQA Guidelines Section 15061, as it can be seen with certainty that there is no possibility it may have a significant effect on the environment.

Public Notice Requirements
None required.

Attachment(s):
381
Soledad Police Department
AB 481 Annual Report 2025-2026
Annual Report
AB 481 requires the Police Department to provide the City Council and the public with a report outlining how the military equipment possessed and/or acquired by the City during the previous year was used in order to ensure the police department is adhering to its policy and the City ordinance concerning military equipment. This is the first year that the Department has listed its drones, acquired in 2022 and 2026, as military equipment. See New Sections 3 and 4 and Note at end of report, all marked with *.

1. M16A2 Commando 5.56 patrol carbine rifles
A. A summary of how the military equipment was used and the purpose of its use.

These weapons may be deployed in circumstances in which an officer can articulate a reasonable expectation that the rifle may be needed. (E.g., where an officer anticipates an armed encounter, need for long range fire, where an officer believes a suspect may be wearing body armor). Use of the ammunition for these weapons requires special training by POST certified trainers.

B. A summary of any complaints or concerns received concerning the military equipment. None.

C. The results of any internal audits, any information about violations of the military equipment use policy, and any actions taken in response. None.

D. The total annual cost for each type of military equipment, including acquisition, personnel, training, transportation, maintenance, storage, upgrade, and other ongoing costs, and from what source funds will be provided for the military equipment in the year following submission of the annual military equipment report. Minimal maintenance and training costs, paid for out of Police Department Budget.

E. The quantity possessed of each type of military equipment. Thirteen.

F. If the law enforcement agency intends to acquire additional military equipment in the next year, the quantity sought for each type of military equipment. None.

2. Ammunition for M16A2 Commando 5.56 patrol carbine rifles A. A summary of how the military equipment was used and the purpose of its use. Used for target practice only.

B. A summary of any complaints or concerns received concerning the military equipment. None.

C. The results of any internal audits, any information about violations of the military equipment use policy, and any actions taken in response. None.

E. The quantity possessed of each type of military equipment. 7,559 +/- rounds. 382
F. If the law enforcement agency intends to acquire additional military equipment in the next year, the quantity sought for each type of military equipment. None.

3. *Unmanned Aerial System (UAS) (aka “drones”). The Soledad Police Department operates one Skydio X2 UAS. The UAS is an unmanned, remotely powered and piloted aerial system that can sustain direct flight, designed for gathering information via photograph, recording or other means. The UAS is equipped with a Forward Looking Infrared (FLIR) and optical zoom lenses.

A. A summary of how the military equipment was used and the purpose of its use. The Soledad Police Department uses the UAS for law enforcement operations to preserve and enhance public safety. The UAS can be deployed when an overhead view would assist officers or incident commanders with planning and responding to situations such as:
a. Public safety and life preservation missions including, but not limited to, barricaded suspects, hostage situations, active shooters, apprehension of armed and dangerous fleeing suspects, and during the execution of search warrants. b. Major traffic collision investigations.
c. Natural disaster management or disaster response and recovery. d. Mass casualty events.
e. Search for lost or missing persons or rescue events. f. Suspected explosive devices.
g. Post-incident crime scene preservation and documentation. h. Pursuant to a search warrant.
i. Anytime a UAS would enhance public safety and improve operational safety. j. Anti-UAV operations when a person is operating a UAV in a manner which impedes emergency personnel who, in the course of their duties, are coping with an emergency (refer to Penal Code 402(a)(2)).
k. Training missions.
l. Mutual aid support or training missions in support of Soledad CALFIRE when the underlying mission meets the uses outlined in policy. Unmanned aerial systems used by the Soledad Police Department are used in compliance with all federal, state, and local laws.
m. Special Events.

In Fiscal Year 2025/2026 the drone has a total of 13 flights, one of which was for training.

B. A summary of any complaints or concerns received concerning the military equipment.

None.

C. The results of any internal audits, any information about violations of the military equipment use policy, and any actions taken in response. None.

D. The total annual cost for each type of military equipment, including acquisition, personnel, training, transportation, maintenance, storage, upgrade, and other ongoing costs, and from what source funds will be provided for the military equipment in the year following submission of the annual military equipment report. There have been two pilots who have been sent to UAV certification training, which had a total one-time 383
cost of $350. This was done in order for both pilots to be in compliance to fly both department owned UAV(s).

E. The quantity possessed of each type of military equipment. One.

4. *Unmanned Aerial System (UAS) (aka “drones”). The Soledad Police Department operates one DJI Avata 2 FPV UAS. This UAS is an unmanned, remotely powered and piloted aerial system that can sustain direct flight, designed for gathering information via photograph, recording or other means. The Avata 2 UAS is a smaller drone that is flown remotely in FPV (First-Person View) mode. FPV is where the pilot wears FPV goggles that receive a live, real-time video feed transmitted directly from the drone's onboard camera.

A. A summary of how the military equipment was used and the purpose of its use. The Soledad Police Department uses this UAS for law enforcement operations to preserve and enhance public safety. The UAS is compact enough to be flown inside buildings and can be used to visually clear the interior of a building prior to sending in police personnel. The UAS can be deployed when an overhead view would assist officers or incident commanders with planning and responding to situations such as:
a. Public safety and life preservation missions including, but not limited to, barricaded suspects, hostage situations, active shooters, apprehension of armed and dangerous fleeing suspects, and during the execution of search warrants. b. Major traffic collision investigations.
c. Natural disaster management or disaster response and recovery. d. Mass casualty events.
e. Search for lost or missing persons or rescue events. f. Suspected explosive devices.
g. Post-incident crime scene preservation and documentation. h. Pursuant to a search warrant.
i. Anytime a UAS would enhance public safety and improve operational safety. j. Anti-UAV operations when a person is operating a UAV in a manner which impedes emergency personnel who, in the course of their duties, are coping with an emergency (refer to Penal Code 402(a)(2)).
k. Training missions.
l. Mutual aid support or training missions in support of Soledad CALFIRE Department when the underlying mission meets the uses outlined in policy.

Unmanned aerial systems used by the Soledad Police Department are used in compliance with all federal, state, and local laws.
m. Special Events.

The Avata 2 has not been deployed since its acquisition.

B. A summary of any complaints or concerns received concerning the military equipment.

None.

C. The results of any internal audits, any information about violations of the military equipment use policy, and any actions taken in response. None.

E. The quantity possessed of each type of military equipment. One. * This equipment was purchased and used by the Police Department without compliance with Soledad Police Department Policy Manual Policy 709-Military Equipment due to a misunderstanding concerning the applicability of said policy to the involved equipment. The City is disclosing non-compliance in accordance with law, and describing the use of the equipment, unmanned aerial systems (drones), for the sake of transparency. Further use of the equipment is currently prohibited until the Department has achieved compliance with those portions of the City’s policy that require council approval for the acquisition and use of military equipment. 385
SUBJECT: Ordinance No. 782, An Ordinance of the City Council of the City of Soledad Retroactively Authorizing the Purchase and Use of an Unmanned Aerial System (Drone) and Making Findings in Compliance with Soledad Police Department Policy Manual 709-Military Equipment TO: Honorable Mayor Velazquez and City Council
FROM: Mike Rodriquez, City Attorney
MEETING DATE: July 1, 2026

CITY OF SOLEDAD

STAFF REPORT
THROUGH: Megan Hunter, City Manager
AGENDA ITEM NO. 3.

Recommendation
It is recommended that the City Council waive reading, introduce and read by title only “An Ordinance of the City Council of the City of Soledad Retroactively Authorizing the Purchase and Use of an Unmanned Aerial System (Drone) and Making Findings in Compliance with Gonzales Police Department Policy Manual 709-Military Equipment.”
Executive Summary
On June 15, 2022, the Soledad City Council adopted Ordinance No. 743 approving Soledad Police Department Policy Manual Policy 709- Military Equipment which imposes a number of requirements on the City and Police Department with respect to the acquisition and use of military equipment.

Pursuant to Government Code Section 7071 and Soledad Police Department Policy Manual Policy 709, a law enforcement agency must obtain approval of the City Council by ordinance prior to acquiring military equipment. Section 709.1 of Policy 709 identifies “unmanned remotely piloted aerial vehicles,” more commonly known as drones, as military equipment. Due to a misunderstanding of the law and policy, on March 4, 2026, the City purchased a DJI Avata 2 FPV drone for the police department’s use without going through the mandatory purchase protocol established by law, ordinance and Policy 709. In order to rectify this mistake, the City is now seeking retroactive approval of the acquisition and use of the drone by ordinance. Use of the drone will be prohibited until it is approved by the City Council.

Background
On June 25, 2022, in accordance with AB 481, the Soledad City Council adopted Ordinance No. 743 approving Soledad Police Department Manual Policy 709-Military Equipment. Policy 709 establishes a military equipment use protocol that is consistent with the Department’s current practices, complies with the requirements of the Government Code, ensures regulation and compliance with relevant law 386
on an ongoing basis, and provides a means for community engagement and transparency regarding the use of military equipment. Annual reports concerning the Department’s military equipment have been prepared and approved at public meetings on an ongoing basis, and Ordinance No. 743 has been renewed by resolution every year since its adoption.

In preparing this year’s Annual Military Equipment Report, staff discovered that the City has two “unmanned aerial systems,” more commonly known as drones, that it has not been including in its reports. One of the drones, the Skydio X2 UAS, was purchased in the latter part of 2022 and has been used on a periodic basis for a variety of surveillance and safety-related purposes. The drone has been experiencing technical problems in the past year that have limited its use, and because the model has been discontinued, repairs are not possible. The Department plans to surplus this equipment. The other drone, a much smaller unit, was purchased in March of 2026. It has yet to be deployed for Department use. Staff was of the belief that because both drones are commercial units, widely available to the general public, they were not considered to be military equipment.

Both drones have been added to the Soledad Police Department AB 481 Annual Report for 2025-26 for transparency purposes. The Department is prohibited from using either drone until the City Council has retroactively approved both acquisition and use of the same. Since the Department plans to surplus the Skydio X2 drone due to its poor condition, the Department is not seeking Council approval for its acquisition or use.

Review & Analysis
Pursuant to Government Code Section 7071 and Policy 709, a law enforcement agency must obtain the City Council’s approval, by ordinance, prior to acquiring military equipment. Notwithstanding, in March of 2026, the Soledad Police Department purchased a new drone, the DJI Avata FPV UAS, an unmanned, remotely powered and piloted aerial system designed for gathering information via photograph, recording or other means, without going through the required approval process. As is referenced above, this mistake was based on the belief that the drone was exempt from military equipment protocols.

The DJI Avata combo package included accessories necessary for the drone’s use, such as a remotecontrol console, battery and charger. The DJI Avata model is significantly smaller than the City’s other drone unit and can be used for indoor flights, such as securing a building or a residence during a search warrant service. The Avata 2 can be flown into a building prior to sending in officers and it can perch itself onto a table or countertop allowing a live video feed of the area where the officers are about to enter. This feature would provide an extra layer of defense against a potential ambush situation.

The Avata 2 model would also be useful at schools and businesses during active-shooter type situations.

It can be flown inside of a vehicle’s open window, such as a school bus, and can be used to search for suspects hiding inside. The Police Department has two pilots who have been trained in the use of this type of drone, and the Department believes this new drone will complement the uses and service provided by the drones owned and operated by CALFIRE.

The cost of the drone and attendant equipment and technical assistance was $1,459.04. This price falls well below the City’s threshold requiring purchases by bids. See Soledad Municipal Code Section

3.24.040.

Use of the new drone will be subject to Soledad Police Department Policy 613, a copy of which is attached hereto as Attachment A, to enhance the Department’s mission to protect lives and property 387
when other means and resources are not available or might be less effective. All uses must comply with all Soledad Police Department Policies and relevant laws concerning Constitutional guarantees and privacy rights, as well as Federal Aviation Administration regulations. Additionally, use of the drone will be overseen by the Chief of Police as the City’s Military Equipment Coordinator.

Staff has prepared an Ordinance for Council’s consideration that after incorporating the facts set forth above, retroactively authorizes the purchase of the DJI Avata 2 drone, controller, and attendant equipment, for a cost not to exceed $1,459.04. The Ordinance also directs the Police Department’s Military Equipment Coordinator to incorporate this purchase, information concerning the use of the equipment, and other relevant data in the Police Department’s Fiscal Year 2025-2026 Annual Military Equipment Use Report. (This information has already been incorporated into the 2025-2026 Report.) As was noted above, until the Council retroactively approves the acquisition of the drone, it may not be used by the Department.

Ordinance No. 2026-156 is before the Council this evening for waiver of reading, introduction and reading by title only. If introduced, a public hearing concerning adoption of the Ordinance will be scheduled for August 5, 2026, the same date that the Police Department’s Annual Military Equipment Report will come before the Council.

Financial Considerations
The Avata 2 drone has already been purchased at a cost of $1,459.04. No further expenditures are authorized by the action before the Council.

Strategic Plan Alignment
Approval of the acquisition of the Avata 2 drone is consistent with Soledad's Strategic Plan Objective Goal 6.2.2- Modernize technology to enhance department capacity. The Avata 2 will provide the Department with a variety of means to accomplish its mission to provide citizens with a safe and open community by detecting and preventing crime and assisting with preparation for emergencies.

Additionally, compliance with procurement procedures associated with military equipment is consistent with Soledad Strategic Plan Goal 6.1-Strengthen Community Trust and Public Safety through Partnership and Community Policing, and Objective 6.1.1-Strengthen relationships between police and residents, by increasing transparency with respect to the purchase and use of military equipment for law enforcement purposes. Retroactive application of the City’s rules and procedures provides assurance to the community that the City is committed to its policies and willing to disclose and correct mistakes when possible.

Alternatives
Introduce Ordinance No. 782.

Do not introduce Ordinance No. 782. This is not recommended as drones have become an effective tool in crime prevention, emergency preparedness and officer safety.

Planning/CEQA
Approval of the Ordinance is exempt from environmental review under the general rule in California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines Section 15061(b)(3) that CEQA only applies to projects that have the potential for causing a significant effect on the environment. As a purchase of equipment for law enforcement purposes, it can be seen with certainty that there is no possibility that this Ordinance will have a significant effect on the environment. 388
Ordinance No. 782
Policy 613 - Unmanned Aerial System
Public Notice Requirements
A public notice for the second reading of Ordinance No. 782 will be scheduled if the ordinance is introduced this evening.

Attachment(s):
389
ORDINANCE NO. 782

AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SOLEDAD

RETROACTIVELY AUTHORIZING THE PURCHASE AND USE OF AN UNMANNED

AERIAL SYSTEM (DRONE) AND MAKING FINDINGS IN COMPLIANCE WITH SOLEDAD POLICE DEPARTMENT POLICY MANUAL POLICY 709-

MILITARY EQUIPMENT
WHEREAS, Government Code Section 7071 et seq. codifies Assembly Bill 481 and requires legislative bodies to adopt ordinances approving the purchase and use of military equipment; and
WHEREAS, on June 15, 2022, the Soledad City Council adopted Ordinance No. 743 approving Soledad Police Department Policy Manual Policy 709- Military Equipment which included an inventory of the Police Department’s limited amount of military equipment and procedures for use and maintenance of the same; and
WHEREAS, Soledad Police Department Policy Manual Policy 709 establishes a military equipment use policy that is consistent with the Police Department’s current practices, complies with the requirements of the Government Code, ensures ongoing regulation and compliance with AB 481, and continues to provide a means of community engagement and transparency regarding the use of military equipment by the Department; and WHEREAS, since 2023, the City has reviewed and approved by resolution yearly Military Equipment Use Reports prepared by the Police Department, and has renewed Ordinance No. 743 on an annual basis; and
WHEREAS, pursuant to Government Code Section 7070 and Soledad Police Department Policy Manual Policy 709, Section 709.1, “unmanned remotely piloted aerial vehicles,” more commonly known as drones, are considered military equipment; and WHEREAS, pursuant to Government Code Section 7071, a law enforcement agency must obtain approval of the City Council by ordinance prior to acquiring military equipment; and WHEREAS, notwithstanding the foregoing, on March 4, 2026, the City purchased a DJI Avata 2 FPV drone for the police department’s use without going through the mandatory purchase protocol established by law, ordinance and Policy 709; and WHEREAS, the aforesaid purchase was made under the mistaken belief that because the Avata 2 drone was a commercial model, readily available to the public as well as for professional use by municipalities, it was exempt from the reporting and purchasing requirements applicable to other types of military equipment covered by Government Code Section 7071 and Ordinance No. 743; and
390
WHEREAS, the Avata 2 is a small drone model that can be used for indoor flights, such as securing a building or a residence during a search warrant service, can be flown into a building prior to sending in officers, and can be located on a table or countertop allowing a live video feed of the area where the officers are about to enter, and would also be useful at schools and businesses during active-shooter type situations; and WHEREAS, despite the fact that the Avata 2 unit was purchased in March of 2026, it has yet to be deployed by the Soledad Police Department; and WHEREAS, Staff is now seeking retroactive approval of the purchase and subsequent use of the Avata 2 drone.

NOW THEREFORE, THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SOLEDAD DOES HEREBY ORDAIN AS FOLLOWS:

Section 1. Findings. All of the recitals set forth above are true and correct and by this reference are adopted as findings of the City Council as though set forth in full within the body of this ordinance.

Section 2. Acceptance of Police Department Representations. The City Council acknowledges receipt of and accepts the following representations from the Soledad Police Department concerning the Department’s acquisition and use of an Unmanned Aerial System:

1. The Police Department previously established its desire to purchase an Unmanned Aerial System consisting of a DJI Avata 2 FPV Combo package for a drone, controller, and attendant equipment.

2. The Department will use the equipment in accordance with Soledad Police Department Policy 613-Unmanned Aerial System, to enhance the Department’s mission of protecting lives and property when other means and resources are not available or are less effective.

Proposed uses include enforcement efforts to secure a building or a residence during a search warrant service and during active-shooter type situations at business and school facilities.

3. The cost of the drone, and attendant equipment and technical assistance, was $1,458.04.

4. In using the drone, the City will comply with all Soledad Police Department Policies and relevant laws concerning Constitutional guarantees and privacy rights, as well as Federal Aviation Administration regulations.

5. The City currently has two officers with the FAA Part 707 license required to operate the system.

6. Use of the drone will be overseen by the Chief of Police as the City’s Military Equipment Coordinator.

Section 3. Retroactive Approval of Purchase. After due consideration of the Police Department’s Request, any public comment provided on the matter, and the representations set forth in this ordinance, the City Council hereby retroactively approves the purchase of an DJI Avata 2 FPV Unmanned Aerial System, including a drone and attendant equipment, for a cost of One Thousand Four Hundred Fifty Eight Dollars and Four Cents ($1,458.04). Section 3.24.040 391
of the Soledad Municipal Code exempts this purchase from bid procedures since the cost is below the established $50,000 bid threshold.

Section 4. Post Purchase Responsibilities. The Military Equipment Coordinator and Staff are directed to incorporate this purchase, information concerning the use of the equipment, and other relevant data in the Police Department’s Fiscal Year 2025-2026 Annual Military Equipment Use Report.

Section 5. Severability. Every section, paragraph, clause, and phrase of this Ordinance is hereby declared severable. If, for any reason, any section, paragraph, clause, or phrase is held to be invalid or unconstitutional, such invalidity or unconstitutionality shall not affect the validity or constitutionality of the remaining section, paragraphs, clauses, or phrases.

Section 6. CEQA. Approval of this ordinance is exempt from environmental review under the general rule in California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines Section 15061(b)(3) that CEQA only applies to projects that have the potential for causing a significant effect on the environment. As a purchase of equipment for law enforcement purposes, it can be seen with certainty that there is no possibility that this Ordinance will have a significant effect on the environment.

Section 5. Effective Date. This Ordinance shall take effect thirty (30) days following its final passage. The City Clerk is directed to cause copies of this Ordinance to be posted or published as required by Government Code Section 36933.

This Ordinance was introduced and first read by the City Council of the City of Soledad at a regular meeting on the 1
st day of July, 2026 and PASSED AND ADOPTED by the City Council of the City of Soledad at a regular meeting on August ___ by the following vote:

AYES, and in favor thereof, Councilmembers:

NOES, Councilmembers:

ABSENT, Councilmembers:

ABSTAIN, Councilmembers:

Anna Velazquez, The Honorable Mayor
ATTEST:
_______________________________
Megan Hunter, City Clerk
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Soledad City CouncilJuly 1, 2026

Soledad City Council
July 1, 2026