Title
a. Approve and authorize the Sheriff or her designee to execute a non-standard agreement with the City and County of San Francisco, for a tethered drone, accepting a grant award in the amount of $78,362, retroactive from November 1, 2024 to December 31, 2024; and
b. Approve and authorize the Sheriff or her designee to execute an amendment to the agreement if an extension is approved by the City and County of San Francisco.
Report
RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended that the Board of Supervisors:
a. Approve and authorize the Sheriff or her designee to execute a non-standard agreement with the City and County of San Francisco, for a tethered drone, accepting a grant award in the amount of $78,362, retroactive from November 1, 2024 to December 31, 2024; and
b. Approve and authorize the Sheriff or her designee to execute an amendment to the agreement if an extension is approved by the City and County of San Francisco.
SUMMARY/DISCUSSION:
In 2022, the Marina Police Department applied for a Urban Areas Security Initiative (UASI) Grant for a tethered drone project at the direction of then Marina Police Chief Tina Nieto. The UASI Grant was subsequently awarded to the Marina Police Department in the amount of $78,362 for the tethered drone project. The City and County of San Francisco is the fiscal agent for the Approval Authority, acting by and through the San Francisco Department of Emergency Management (DEM), as such the contract for the UASI Grant is via a contract with the City and County of San Francisco.
Marina Police Chief Tina Nieto was later elected Sheriff-Coroner of Monterey County. The Marina Police Department did not wish to pursue the tethered drone project and a request to transfer the UASI Grant to the Monterey County Sheriff’s Office was granted by UASI.
The tethered drone project offers significant benefits in line with the UASI goals and objectives, which focus on enhancing homeland security capabilities in high-threat, dense urban areas.
The tethered drone provides continuous aerial surveillance, real-time intelligence, and enhanced situational awareness, crucial for preventing and responding to terrorism and other threats. Its continuous power supply allows for extended monitoring of critical infrastructure, public events, or emergency situations.
Additionally, the secure tether ensures a stable communication link and controlled airspace, aligning with UASI’s objectives of improving security and coordination during high-risk operations.
The UASI Grant for the tethered drone project expires on December 31st, 2024. The MCSO has requested an extension and will amendment the agreement if extension is approved.
The City and County of San Francisco requested the County sign the agreement first since they are providing the funding to the County.
The delay in this agreement is due to the challenges and delay in communication and the introduction of new grant administration processes by UASI, DEM, and the City and County of San Francisco.
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
The Office of County Counsel has reviewed and advised on this Agreement as to legal form. The Auditor-Controller has reviewed and approved the Agreement as to fiscal provisions.
FINANCING:
The Sheriff’s Office will go to the Board to request for an increase in Appropriation and Revenue for Fiscal Year 2024-2025 should the request for extension to spend the UASI Grant be granted. There will be no increase in the General Fund Contribution resulting from this Board action.
BOARD OF SUPERVISORS STRATEGIC INITIATIVES:
Mark a check to the related Board of Supervisors Strategic Initiatives
__Economic Development
X Administration
__Health & Human Services
__Infrastructure
X Public Safety
Prepared by: Arthur Curtright, MA III, ext. #3708
Reviewed by: Eddie Anderson, Chief Deputy, ext. #3754
Reviewed by: Keith Boyd, Undersheriff, ext. #3859
Approved by: Tina Nieto, Sheriff/Coroner, ext. #3750
Attachments:
Board Report
Email from Marina PD
UASI Grant Application
City and County of San Francisco Agreement