PREPARED BY: PEGGY CHOU DATE OF MEETING: 06/10/2024
SUBJECT:
TITLE
CONSIDER RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SAN PABLO AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO ENCUMBER AVAILABLE FUNDS FROM THE FY 2023-24 POLICE DEPARTMENT OPERATING BUDGET (100-2110-43600) FOR ANTICIPATED FY 2024-25 COSTS ASSOCIATED WITH THE APPROVED EXPANSION OF AN UNMANNED AIRCRAFT SYSTEM FOR THE POLICE DEPARTMENT’S DRONE AS A FIRST RESPONDER PROGRAM REFERENCED BY COUNCIL RESOLUTION 2023-110
CEQA: This proposed action is not a project as defined by CEQA.
Label
CITY MANAGER RECOMMENDATION
Recommendation
Adopt Resolution
Body
Compliance statements
Strengthen existing and new Technology Programs, Public Facility/Infrastructure Projects, and Future Workplace Development Programs/Services to Enhance SPPD Crime-Reduction Goals, Community Policing, Mental Health and Training Programs and Continue Fiscal Resilience, Fiscal Excellence, and Fiscal Transparency are priority goals under the FY 2023/25 City Council Priority Workplan, effective May 1, 2023.
BACKGROUND
Since 2018, the San Pablo Police Department has researched, developed, and implemented an Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS - Drone) program to support, enhance, and increase public safety and response capabilities. In 2020, the City Council approved Resolution 2020-118, authorizing the City to enter into an agreement with Nightingale Security to develop a comprehensive public safety drone response, including the installation of the Nightingale Blackbird system for autonomous launch and landing capabilities for efficient deployment.
Public Safety Standing Committee Review
On July 6, 2023, the Public Safety Standing Committee (Pabon-Alvarado; Xavier) reviewed the SPPD’s proposal to expand the Drone as a First Responder Program, and recommended the City Council approve a new agreement with Nightingale Security, and to procure all necessary equipment, maintenance, and support services for FY 2024 - 2025 period subject to funding availability.
On July 17, 2023, the City Council approved Resolution 2023-110, authorizing a three-year agreement with Nightingale Security to expand the Drone as a First Responder Program via pursuit of a beyond-visual-line-of-sight (BVLOS) waiver from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), procurement of additional Nightingale Blackbird base stations to increase coverage area of response, and integration of a Casia-G detect-and-avoid system for an established zone of monitored airspace to meet FAA waiver requirements.
The agreement with Nightingale Security for equipment, maintenance, and support was proposed for payment in two installments over two fiscal years, with the second installment in FY 2024-25 subject to funding availability. An annual cost for the Casia-G system rested contingently upon award of a BVLOS waiver by the FAA, also subject to funding availability. At the time of approval, staff proposed to identify supplemental and other grant funds to cover anticipated costs in subsequent fiscal year(s).
Federal BVLOS Waiver Granted to SPPD
In January 2024, the San Pablo Police Department was awarded a BVLOS waiver from the FAA, which subsequently prompts integration of the Casia-G system beginning in FY 2024-25. The remaining payment installment to Nightingale Security, in the amount of $86,094, will be due in FY 2024-25 as outlined in the Agreement. The annual cost of the Casia-G system is $84,000, and must be incorporated in FY 2024-25 to meet FAA requirements and effectively progress the Police Department’s Drone as a First Responder program.
Available funding has been identified in the Police Department’s FY 2023-24 current operating budget to fulfill these anticipated program costs. Because supplemental grant and/or budgeted funds have not yet been identified in the Department’s FY 2024-25 operating budget to cover program costs, staff requests Council consideration to authorize an encumbrance of available FY 2023-24 funding, in a total amount not to exceed $170,094, to fulfill anticipated costs to ensure continued progress and expansion without unnecessary delay.
FISCAL IMPACT
There is no fiscal impact associated with the proposed action. Available funds have been identified in the Police Department’s existing and adopted FY 2023-24 Departmental operating budget (100-2110-43600).
ATTACHMENTS
Att-A: Resolution
Att-B: Resolution 2023-110
Att-C: Nightingale Signed Agreement 2023-2026