MEETING DATE: OCTOBER 6, 2026
TO: ALDO E. SCHINDLER, CITY MANAGER
FROM: ERICA N. YASUDA, CITY CLERK
SUBJECT: SECOND READING AND ADOPTION OF ORDINANCE NO. 1579
ADOPTING AND APPROVING TUSTIN POLICE DEPARTMENT POLICY
706, MILITARY EQUIPMENT USE POLICY IN COMPLIANCE WITH
ASSEMBLY BILL 481
SUMMARY:
Adoption of Ordinance No. 1579 renews approval of funding, acquisition and the Tustin Police Department's continued use of equipment defined by law as “military equipment” and Tustin Police Department Policy 706, Military Equipment Use Policy.
RECOMMENDATION:
That the City Council have second reading by title only and adoption of Ordinance No. 1579.
FISCAL IMPACT:
There is no fiscal impact associated with this item.
CORRELATION TO THE STRATEGIC PLAN:
This item supports the City's Strategic Plan Goal B: Public Safety and Protection of Assets, specifically Strategy 5, by strengthening emergency preparedness and ensuring the Police Department maintains the equipment necessary to protect the community, City personnel, and public facilities during critical incidents. Policy 706 establishes clear requirements governing the authorized use, training, oversight, reporting, and acquisition of military equipment, supporting the City's commitment to effective public safety while safeguarding civil rights and civil liberties. The required annual review, public reporting, and community engagement process further promote transparency, accountability, and responsible stewardship of public safety resources.
AGENDA REPORT
Agenda Item 4
Reviewed:
City Manager _______
Finance Director N/A
Docusign Envelope ID: 6C172253-F15B-8759-8129-667623A19BB1 City Council Agenda Report
Second Reading and Adoption of Ordinance No.1579
October 6, 2026
BACKGROUND AND DISCUSSION:
On September 15, 2026, the City Council had first reading by title only of Ordinance No. 1579:
ORDINANCE NO. 1579
AN UNCODIFIED ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF TUSTIN,
CALIFORNIA, ADOPTING AND APPROVING TUSTIN POLICE DEPARTMENT POLICY 706, MILITARY EQUIPMENT POLICY, IN COMPLIANCE WITH CALIFORNIA ASSEMBLY BILL 481 (AB 481)
_____________________
Erica N. Yasuda,
City Clerk
Attachment:
1. Ordinance No. 1579
Erica N. Yasuda
Docusign Envelope ID: 6C172253-F15B-8759-8129-667623A19BB1 ORDINANCE NO. 1579
AN UNCODIFIED ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF TUSTIN, CALIFORNIA, ADOPTING AND APPROVING TUSTIN POLICE DEPARTMENT POLICY 706, MILITARY EQUIPMENT POLICY, IN COMPLIANCE WITH CALIFORNIA ASSEMBLY BILL 481 (AB 481)
THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF TUSTIN, CALIFORNIA, DOES ORDAIN AS FOLLOWS:
SECTION 1. On September 30, 2021, Governor Gavin Newsom signed into law Assembly Bill 481, relating to the use of military equipment by law enforcement agencies. Assembly Bill 481, codified at California Government Code sections 7070 through 7075, requires law enforcement agencies to obtain approval of the applicable governing body, by an ordinance adopting a “military equipment” use policy, at a regular meeting held pursuant to open meeting laws, prior to taking certain actions relating to the funding, acquisition, or use of military equipment. AB 481 also requires that in seeking the approval of the governing body, a law enforcement agency shall submit a proposed military equipment use policy to the governing body and make those documents available on the law enforcement agency’s internet website at least 30 days prior to any public meeting concerning the military equipment at issue. The term “military equipment” is defined in California Government Code section 7070. Assembly Bill 481 allows the governing body of a city to approve the funding, acquisition, or use of military equipment within its jurisdiction only if it makes specified determinations.
SECTION 2. Assembly Bill 481 requires that after initial approval of a military equipment policy, the Department must annually submit a report to the governing body which details the Department’s use of military equipment, any complaints regarding the Department’s use of military equipment, any violations of the Department’s policy, and any anticipated acquisition of additional military equipment by the Department in the coming year.
SECTION 3. In addition, Assembly Bill 481 provides that the governing body shall review any ordinance that it has adopted to approve the funding, acquisition, or use of military equipment at least annually and, subject to the requirements of Government Code section 7071, vote on whether to renew the ordinance at a regular meeting of the governing body.
SECTION 4. On July 23, 2026, the Department submitted its annual military equipment report to the City Council. As directed by City Council, the annual report was posted on the Department’s website on July 16, 2026. On August 5, 2026, the Department held a well-publicized and conveniently located community engagement meeting at which the general public was able to discuss and ask questions regarding the annual military equipment report and the Department’s funding, acquisition, or use of military equipment.
SECTION 5. The Tustin Police Department Military Equipment Policy is attached as Exhibit “A” (the “Policy”). The Policy was published on the City of Tustin internet website, which also serves as the website for the Tustin Police Department, for not less than 30 days commencing on August 26, 2026. The proposed Ordinance and Policy were presented to City Council at a duly noticed public hearing held on September 15, 2026, at which time members of the public were provided an opportunity to comment on the proposed Ordinance and Policy.
Docusign Envelope ID: FC27F135-8AA3-8047-8081-1BB43C1AAEE1 Docusign Envelope ID: 6C172253-F15B-8759-8129-667623A19BB1 SECTION 6. The Policy complies with the requirements of California Government Code section 7070, subdivision (d).
SECTION 7. Based on the findings above, in addition to information provided to the City Council at the public hearing, the City Council determines as follows:
A. The military equipment identified in the Policy is necessary because there is no reasonable alternative that can achieve the same objective of officer and civilian safety.
B. The Policy will safeguard the public’s welfare, safety, civil rights, and civil liberties.
C. The military equipment identified in the Policy is reasonably cost effective compared to available alternatives that can achieve the same objective of officer and civilian safety.
SECTION 8. Approval of the Policy. The City Council of the City of Tustin approves and adopts Tustin Police Department Policy 706, “Military Equipment”, attached hereto as Exhibit “A”. In doing so, the City Council directs that:
A. Staff is authorized to request, seek funding for, acquire, collaborate with other jurisdictions about the deployment of, and use military equipment consistent with this Policy.
B. The Policy shall be maintained on the Police Department’s website page.
C. Annually, the Police Department shall hold a well-publicized and conveniently located community engagement meeting regarding the Police Department’s Policy and use of military equipment, pursuant to Cal. Government Code section 7072 (b).
D. Annually, the City Council shall review this Ordinance, the Policy and the annual military equipment report prepared by the Police Department pursuant to Cal.
Government Code section 7072 and determine by ordinance whether to continue the Ordinance and Policy or to modify such Policy or initiate the repeal of the Ordinance.
E. Annually, the City Council shall determine, based on the annual military equipment report submitted pursuant to Cal. Government Code section 7072, whether each type of military equipment identified in that report has complied with the standards for approval set forth in this Ordinance.
SECTION 9. If any section, subsection, subdivision, sentence, clause, phrase, or portion of this Ordinance for any reason is held to be invalid or unconstitutional by the decision of any court of competent jurisdiction, such decision shall not affect the validity of the remaining portions of this Ordinance. The City Council hereby declares that it would have adopted this Ordinance, and each section, subsection, subdivision, sentence, clause, phrase, or portion thereof, irrespective of the fact that any one or more sections, subsections, subdivisions, sentences, clauses, phrases, or portions thereof be declared invalid or unconstitutional.
Docusign Envelope ID: FC27F135-8AA3-8047-8081-1BB43C1AAEE1 Docusign Envelope ID: 6C172253-F15B-8759-8129-667623A19BB1 SECTION 10. The City Clerk shall certify as to the adoption of this Ordinance and shall cause a summary thereof to be published within fifteen (15) days of the adoption and shall post a Certified copy of this Ordinance, including the vote for and against the same, in the Office of the City Clerk, in accordance with Government Code Section 36933.
PASSED AND ADOPTED, at a regular meeting of the City Council of the City of Tustin on this __ day of _______, 2026.
________________________________
AUSTIN LUMBARD,
Mayor
__________________________
ERICA N. YASUDA,
City Clerk
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
___________________________
DAVID E. KENDIG,
City Attorney
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STATE OF CALIFORNIA )
COUNTY OF ORANGE ) ss
CITY OF TUSTIN )
I, Erica N. Yasuda, City Clerk and ex-officio Clerk of the City Council of the City of Tustin, California, does hereby certify: (1) that the full title of the above and foregoing Ordinance No. 1580 was included on the City Council’s published agendas for its meetings on the 15th day of September 2026, the day of 2026; (2) that a copy of the full ordinance was made available to the public online and in print at the meeting prior its passage; (3) that the whole number of the members of the City Council of the City of Tustin is five; and (4) that the ordinance was duly and regularly introduced at the regular meeting of the City Council held on the 15th day of September 2026 and was given its second reading, passed and adopted at a regular meeting of the City Council held on the day of 2026, by the following vote:
COUNCILMEMBER AYES: ___________________________________ COUNCILMEMBER NOES: ___________________________________ COUNCILMEMBER ABSTAINED: ___________________________________ COUNCILMEMBER ABSENT: ___________________________________ COUNCILMEMBER RECUSED: ___________________________________ ___________________________
ERICA N. YASUDA,
City Clerk
Docusign Envelope ID: FC27F135-8AA3-8047-8081-1BB43C1AAEE1 Docusign Envelope ID: 6C172253-F15B-8759-8129-667623A19BB1