PREPARED BY: JAMES LAUGHTER DATE OF MEETING: 08/03/2026
SUBJECT:
TITLE
CONSIDER ADOPTING RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL (1) RATIFYING A SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT AND RELEASE BETWEEN NIGHTINGALE INTELLIGENT SYSTEMS, INC. AND THE CITY OF SAN PABLO; (2) AUTHORIZING ACCEPTANCE OF PAYMENT IN THE AMOUNT OF $195,000 AS A TERM OF THE AGREEMENT; AND (3) AUTHORIZING APPROPRIATION OF THE ACCEPTED PAYMENT TO THE POLICE DEPARTMENT'S FY2026-27 OPERATING BUDGET TO FUND THE CONTINUED IMPLEMENTATION OF THE DRONE AS FIRST RESPONDER (DFR) PROGRAM
CEQA: This proposed action is not a project as defined by CEQA.
Label
CITY MANAGER RECOMMENDATION
Recommendation
Adopt Resolution
BODY
COMPLIANCE STATEMENTS
Improve Public Safety is an adopted policy item contained in the FY 2025-27 City Council Priority Workplan, effective April 7, 2025.
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. Authorized pursuant to Resolutions 2020-118 and 2023-110, the City has contracted with Nightingale Intelligent Systems ("Nightingale") since 2020 for the continued expansion and development of the Department's Drone as a First Responder (DFR) Program.
Although the Police Department and Nightingale have collaboratively developed a strong DFR foundation and achieved significant progress over the past six years, the program has also encountered operational and technical challenges related to connectivity issues, complications with equipment acquisition or repair, FAA regulations and requirements, in addition to resource and staffing challenges.
While the City maintains that certain services and equipment were not satisfactorily rendered in accordance with the 2023 agreement, the City and Nightingale mutually agreed to enter into a Settlement Agreement and Release on June 29, 2026, to resolve outstanding disputes between partie...
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