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HomeMy WebLinkAboutItem 10l - Foothill Air Support Team Annual JPA DATE: October 4, 2022 TO: Honorable Mayor and City Council FROM: Roy Nakamura, Chief of Police By: Amber Abeyta, Management Analyst SUBJECT: FOOTHILL AIR SUPPORT TEAM ("FAST") ANNUAL JPA COST IN THE AMOUNT OF $73,730; AND AUTHORIZE THE ANNUAL PAYMENT FOR AN ADDITIONAL THREE-YEARS INCLUDING AN ANNUAL INCREASE OF UP TO TEN PERCENT EACH YEAR Recommendation: Approve SUMMARY The Arcadia Police Department has participated in a Joint Powers Authority Agreement with the Foothill Air Support Team (“FAST”) for the past 23 years. Every year, the City and other partner agencies benefit from this law enforcement helicopter program. It is recommended that the City Council approve the annual FAST JPA cost for participation in the Foothill Air Support Team for the period of July 1, 2022, through June 30, 2023, in the amount of $73,730; and authorize the annual payment for an additional three years including an annual increase of up to 10% each year. BACKGROUND The Foothill Air Support Team, otherwise known as FAST, was developed in 1999 after several local cities expressed an interest in airborne law enforcement. As a result, a JPA was established in July 2000, which included the Cities of Monrovia, Arcadia, Azusa, Covina, Pasadena, and West Covina. These agencies chose to form a joint helicopter patrol operation that could lessen the costs for each agency, enhance their ability to deter criminal activity, and assist in apprehending offenders. Over the years, the FAST program has evolved and proven to be very successful. The JPA now includes 10 partner Cities, including: Arcadia, Covina, Glendora, Irwindale, Monrovia, Pasadena, Pomona, San Marino, Sierra Madre, and South Pasadena. Pasadena is the coordinator and fiduciary of the program and provides the helicopters and pilots. It should be noted that previously the JPA included 11 partner Cities but, as of Fiscal Year 2022-23, the City of Alhambra will no longer participate in the FAST program. Alhambra stated that this was a financial decision for them. Foothill Air Support Team (“FAST”) October 4, 2022 Page 2 of 4 The FAST JPA is administered by a Board of Governors, and day-to-day oversight is provided by an Executive Committee comprised of Police Chiefs from partner cities. The current Board President is Arcadia Police Chief Roy Nakamura and Covina Police Chief David Povero serves as Vice President. Being part of FAST allows Police Officers to perform the role of Tactical Flight Officer (“TFO”). Each agency may provide a qualified and motivated Police Officer to perform the role of Tactical Flight Officer (“TFO”) twice per month. Following a rigorous six to eight- week initial training program, the TFOs work alongside a Pasadena Pilot to serve the FAST cities. The TFO monitors radio calls within the FAST cities and decides whether to respond with the police helicopter. The team also attends one training day monthly. When it is determined that an airborne response would be beneficial, the FAST flight crew responds and provides an aerial platform. This platform provides a tremendous level of intelligence, direction, and coordination to the officers on the ground. When not responding to calls for service, the crew will continuously search out criminal activity and/or monitor problem locations. The FAST helicopter is equipped with a Video Downlink System, which allows a live feed of an aerial view for ground units. Night Vision Goggles along with the Forward Looking Infrared (“FLIR”) system are an extension of the helicopter’s ability to help fight crime at night. FLIRs are thermal imaging and can detect body heat at night, while Night Vision Goggles allow the TFO to see in low light conditions. For Fiscal Year 2022-23, the proposed budget included various capital and equipment projects, including fleet replacement and the construction of a new hangar facility. Due to financial constraints, only the new hangar facility was ultimately included in the adopted budget. DISCUSSION The FAST Board adopted an annual budget of $443,810 for Fiscal Year 2022-23. The budget comprises annual flight costs for dedicated and non-dedicated flights, flight crew costs, the City of Pasadena administrative fees, the JPA’s liability insurance policy, and fleet replacement funds. Arcadia’s portion for Fiscal Year 2022-23 is $73,729, which is approximately a 4.5% increase due to various increases in operational costs. As previously mentioned, Alhambra is no longer a participant in the FAST program. Alhambra was the highest contributor ($107,793) due to having the highest population. The deficit caused by Alhambra’s departure from the program will be supplemented by funds available in the Program’s Fund Balance. The funds available in the Fund Balance is a result of not spending all the budgeted funds in previous years. In addition, there are funds available in the Fleet Replacement Fund. These funds combined can sustain the deficit caused by Alhambra’s departure for the next three Fiscal Years. However, the JPA Foothill Air Support Team (“FAST”) October 4, 2022 Page 3 of 4 will explore options to replace the deficit such as recruiting neighboring agencies to join FAST. Foothill Air Support Team (“FAST”) Fiscal Year 2022-23 Budget for Partner Cities Fund Balance (Previously Alhambra PD) $ 107,793 Arcadia PD $ 73,729 Covina PD $ 66,688 Glendora PD $ 68,366 Irwindale PD $ 11,916 Monrovia PD $ 49,339 San Marino PD $ 16,276 Sierra Madre PD $ 14,657 South Pasadena PD $ 35,046 Total $ 443,810 The helicopter used in the program is owned and maintained by Pasadena PD and contracted to the JPA. Pomona PD does not participate in the regular population-based pricing plan that is required of the other FAST agencies. Instead, Pomona provides one day of coverage to FAST cities using their helicopter and staffing and, in exchange, FAST provides one day of coverage to Pomona. The costs being proposed are reasonable and the service provided by the JPA is highly valuable to Police operations. Therefore, it is recommended that the City Council approve the annual JPA cost for participation in the Foothill Air Support Team for Fiscal Year 2022- 23, in the amount of $73,730. ENVIRONMENTAL ANALYSIS The proposed action does not constitute a project under the California Environmental Quality Act (“CEQA”), based on Section 15061(b)(3) of the CEQA Guidelines, as it can be seen with certainty that it will have no impact on the environment. Thus, this matter is exempt under CEQA. FISCAL IMPACT The City’s financial obligation to participate in FAST for Fiscal Year 2022-23 is $73,730 (rounded). This amount has been budgeted in the City’s Operating Budget. The FAST Board of Directors will provide ample notice of next year’s costs during the City’s normal budget preparation season. Foothill Air Support Team (“FAST”) October 4, 2022 Page 4 of 4 RECOMMENDATION It is recommended that the City Council determine that this project is exempt under the California Environmental Quality Act (“CEQA”); and approve the Foothill Air Support Team (“FAST”) annual JPA cost in the amount of $73,730; and authorize the annual payment for an additional three-years including an annual increase of up to ten percent each year.