REQUEST FOR CITY COUNCIL ACTION
SUBMITTED TO: Honorable Mayor and City Council Members
SUBMITTED BY: Oliver Chi, City Manager
PREPARED BY: Julian Harvey, Interim Chief of Police
Subject:
title
Approve and authorize execution of a three-year Services Agreement with the City of Irvine for Public Safety Helicopter Services
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Statement of Issue:
The City of Irvine is requesting a three-year contract agreement with the City of Huntington Beach for Public Safety Helicopter Services.
Financial Impact:
The proposed contract could generate $300,000 per year in General Fund revenue for the City of Huntington Beach in exchange for Public Safety Helicopter Services for the City of Irvine. During the proposed three-year contract, revenues will be deposited into Business Unit 10000100, Object Code 46870.
Recommended Action:
recommendation
Approve and authorize the Mayor and City Clerk to execute the “Services Agreement for Public Safety Helicopter Support Between the City of Huntington Beach and the City of Irvine.”
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Alternative Action(s):
Do not approve and direct staff accordingly.
Analysis:
Upon the dissolution of the Airborne Law Enforcement Services (ABLE) Joint Powers Authority in 2011, the City of Irvine was left without public safety helicopter support services. Since then, Irvine has contracted with the City of Huntington Beach for public safety helicopter services. The current contract with Irvine for helicopter services expired on June 30, 2021.
Partnering with the City of Irvine allows the City of Huntington Beach to allow for cost recovery for our aircraft and crew while providing enhanced public safety to a neighboring city. Beyond the cost recovery that shares some of the fiscal burden of operating an airborne law enforcement unit, this agreement and partnership with an adjacent jurisdiction directly and indirectly benefits both cities through crime prevention; the rapid apprehension of suspected criminals; the reduction of the inherent risks associated with vehicle pursuits; and public assistance incidents the aircraft provide, including locating missing persons, rescues, and the prevention of accidents and dangerous situations.
This regional and more centralized approach to airborne law enforcement is supported by the ‘2018 Orange County Grand Jury Report: Competition or Collaboration: Orange Countys Public Agency Helicopters <https://www.ocgrandjury.org/pdfs/2017_2018_GJreport/2018-06-22_GJ_Helicopter_Report.pdf>, and allows for more predictable budgeting for both entities. The City of Irvine is requesting Public Safety Helicopter Services from Huntington Beach at the hourly rate of $800 for the first two years of the contract and $835 per hour for the final year. The hourly rate would be adjusted yearly based on the change in the Metropolitan Consumer Price Index. The proposed contract includes a 60-day opt-out clause for either city.
Environmental Status:
Non applicable.
Strategic Plan Goal:
Non Applicable - Administrative Item
Attachment(s):
1. Services Agreement for Public Safety Helicopter Support Between the City of Huntington Beach and the City of Irvine.
2. Certificate of Insurance.