Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutItem 8d - FAST JPA ParticipationSTAFF REPORT POLICE DEPARTMENT DATE: August 18, 2026 TO: Honorable Mayor and City Council FROM: John Bonomo, Interim Police Chief By: Amber Abeyta, Management Analyst SUBJECT: FOOTHILL AIR SUPPORT TEAM ("FAST") ANNUAL JOINT POWERS AUTHORITY (“JPA”) COST IN THE AMOUNT OF $87,895 FOR FISCAL YEAR 2026-27 CEQA: Not a Project 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 26 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, 2026, through June 30, 2027, in the amount of $87,895. It is further recommended that the City Council delegate the authority to approve future renewals under this agreement to the City Manager, without returning to the City Council for approval, provided that any financial increases remain within recognized inflationary levels. 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. FAST JPA Participation August 18, 2026 Page 2 of 4 Over the years, the FAST program has evolved and proven to be very successful. The JPA now includes 10 partner cities, including: Arcadia, Azusa, Covina, Glendora, Irwindale, Monrovia, Pomona, San Marino, Sierra Madre, and South Pasadena. Pasadena is the coordinator and fiduciary of the program and provides the helicopters and pilots. 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 Irwindale Police Chief Christopher P. Hofford, and the Vice President is Covina Police Chief Ric Walczak. 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. DISCUSSION The FAST Board adopted an annual budget of $529,030 for Fiscal Year 2026-27. 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, technology, and fleet replacement funds. Arcadia’s portion for Fiscal Year FAST JPA Participation August 18, 2026 Page 3 of 4 2026-27 is $87,895, which is approximately a 3.29% increase compared to Fiscal Year 2025-26 cost of $85,095 due to various increases in operational costs. The FAST program cost is a population-based formula, based on the US Census Bureau, with the exclusion of the City of Irwindale, which pays a flat rate, due to their small residential population but large industrial area. The table below outlines the cost for each participating agency including Arcadia. Foothill Air Support Team (“FAST”) Fiscal Year 2026-27 Budget for Partner Cities Arcadia PD $ 87,895 Azusa $ 77,535 Covina PD $ 79,501 Glendora PD $ 81,501 Irwindale PD $ 14,153 Monrovia PD $ 58,819 San Marino PD $ 19,404 Sierra Madre PD $ 17,473 South Pasadena PD $ 41,780 (Fund Balance Absorbed) $50,968 Total $ 529,030 The helicopter used in the program is owned and maintained by the City of Pasadena Police Department 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 2026-27, in the amount of $87,895. FAST JPA Participation August 18, 2026 Page 4 of 4 ENVIORNMENTAL 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. FISCAL IMPACT Sufficient funds in the amount of $87,895 have been included in the General Fund Operating Budget for Fiscal Year 2026-27 to cover the FAST JPA cost. RECOMMENDATION It is recommended that the City Council determine that this action does not constitute a project under the California Environmental Quality Act (“CEQA”) and approve the Foothill Air Support Team (“FAST”) annual Joint Power Authority (“JPA”) cost in the amount of $87,895 for Fiscal Year 2026-27. It is further recommended that the City Council delegate the authority to approve future renewals under this agreement to the City Manager, without returning to the City Council for approval, provided that any financial increases remain within recognized inflationary levels and the level of service is not decreased.