HomeMy WebLinkAbout06 - AirBorne Law Enforcement ABLE11
CITY OF NEWPORT BEACH
POLICE DEPARTMENT
October 25, 1999
October 25, 1999
Item No. 6
TO: Honorable Mayor, Members of the City Council and City Manager
FROM: Bob McDonell, Chief of Police
SUBJECT: AirBorne Law Enforcement (ABLE) Joint Powers Agreement Revision
It is recommended the City Council approve the attached Joint Powers Agreement
(JPA) between the Cities of Newport Beach and Costa Mesa continuing the existing
ABLE program.
DISCUSSION:
O On September 9, 1996, the Newport Beach City Council approved the reorganization of
ABLE, combining the Helicopter Units of the Newport Beach and Costa Mesa Police
Departments. The ABLE program has proven to be very successful by increasing the
level of service to both cities while realizing substantial cost savings and cost
reimbursement through the existing subscriber agreements with the City of Santa Ana
and other agencies. The reorganization was authorized via a Memorandum of
Understanding and several MOU amendments.
In July 1998, the City of Newport Beach agreed to hire the three mechanics for ABLE to
achieve additional cost savings. This was a temporary move pending Cal PERS
approval for ABLE to obtain recognition as a government entity and hire the mechanics
directly. The application has been filed and is in progress with Cal PERS. One
requirement of Cal PERS is any joint operation must be established through a Joint
Powers Agreement. Therefore, the original MOU and amendments have been revised
into a Joint Powers Agreement as attached.
On August 23, 1999, the Newport Beach City Council approved the original Joint
Powers Agreement. However, a subsequent detailed analysis by outside legal counsel
in conjunction with the Costa Mesa City Attorney's Office after this City Council action
recommended a number of minor additional changes. The changes are intended to
bring the agreement into compliance with current law as it relates to JPA requirements
in the Government Code. They are primarily technical in nature and do not alter any of
the substantive issues already approved by Council on August 23rd. They also clarify
Qsome of the operational characteristics of the Joint Powers entity created by the action.
ABLE JPA Revision
Page 2
The recommended changes are described in detail in the attached Memorandum to the
ABLE Board of Directors from Edwin Richards of Haight, Brown & Bonesteel, L.L.P. In
addition, a strike - out/underline version of the revised Joint Powers Agreement is
attached to specifically identify the recommended changes to facilitate identification and
understanding of the modifications. The ABLE Board of Directors approved this revised
Joint Powers Agreement on September 16, 1999. These recommended changes have
been reviewed and approved by the Newport Beach City Attorney's Office and the
Costa Mesa City Attorney's Office. The Costa Mesa City Council approved the revised
Joint Powers Agreement at their meeting on October 4, 1999. Approval of this
agreement by the Newport Beach City Council will complete the final step in this
process and allow ABLE to proceed with Cal PERS for recognition as a government
entity.
Respectfully Submitted,
Paul " aptain
Patrol/Traffic Division Commander
Attachments
Approved by,
Bob McDonell
CHIEF OF POLICE
1. Memorandum to ABLE Board from Edwin Richards dated September 9, 1999
2. Revised Joint Powers Agreement for AirBorne Law Enforcement Services
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MEMO To: Board - Airborne Law Enforcement (ABLE)
FROM: Edwin J. Richards
IN RE: Revised Joint Powers Agreement
CM10- 0000035
HAIGHT, BROWN & BONESTEEL, LI-P.
SANTA MONICA, CALIFORNIA
SANTA ANA, CALIFORNIA
RIVERSIDE, CALIFORNIA
SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA
SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA
September 9, 1999
As indicated at the last Board meeting, I have identified eight additional revisions that I
recommend that you consider with regard to the final draft of the Joint Powers agreement (JPA).
I apologize for any delay resulting from these additional recommendations. As I previously
indicated, I previously reviewed the indemnity provisions of the JPA in detail but failed to
complete a full analysis of the remaining provisions. Upon subsequently making that further
analysis of the document, I find the following eight issues that should be considered.
1) Section 2.03 is in conflict with Government Code Section 6509., Government Code
Section 6509 requires that the power of a JPA be subject to the restrictions on the manner of
exercising power "of one of the contracting parties, which party shall be designated in the
agreement." The existing Section 2.03 provides that the power of the JPA is subject to the
restrictions of both the City of Newport Beach and Costa Mesa. That creates a potential problem
in the event there should be a conflict between the provisions of the two cities, and technically,
this provision currently conflicts with Section 6509 of the Government Code.
I am therefore proposing that we adopt the language suggested by Chief Snowden at the last
meeting. We will replace Section 2.03 in its entirety with the following language.
"Said power shall be exercised in the manner provided in the California Joint Powers Act
subject to the restrictions upon the manner of exercising the power of the city of the
presiding officer. It is understood that the Chief of Police of the City of Costa Mesa and
the Chief of Police of the City of Newport Beach shall alternate as the presiding officer
on an annual basis."
2) The California Joint Powers Act requires that the Joint Powers agreement contain a
clear statement that the intent of the agreement is to create a separate legal entity as opposed to
simply constituting a combining of the two member agencies. This objective is accomplished in
Section 2.02 of the JPA. However, there is no specific statement that the ABLE shall constitute
a separate legal entity or that it will be obligated for its own debts and obligations. That
language is important in order to fully comply with the intent of the California Joint Powers Act
and also to ensure that the member agencies cannot be deemed vicariously liable for the debts
and obligations of the ABLE.
I therefore recommend that we add a subsection (I) to Section 2.02 to read as follows:
"2.02(l) — It is the intent of the parties to this agreement that ABLE shall constitute a
separate legal entity separate and apart from the member agencies, and that its debts,
obligations and liabilities are its own and not that of the member cities."
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80061.01
Memo to Board - Airborne Law Enforcement
(ABLE)
September 9, 1999
Page 2
3) The third item is an issue to which I simply want to alert the Board. The Board can
then make a determination whether they wish to make a change.
Section 3.07 requires a unanimous vote of the Board in order to undertake any action
whatsoever. That means that a single dissenting vote can block any action on the part of the
Board. It raises the possibility that a single dissenting vote could literally paralyze the Board
from acting. Most agreements contain a provision such as a tiebreaker provision to ensure that
the Board's ability to act is not paralyzed.
My observation with the ABLE board makes it clear that the ABLE is a somewhat unique
organization. The history of the organization suggests that the Board may specifically desire that
all actions be based upon a unanimous vote. I suspect that may be the case in view of the fact
that even the original MOU required a unanimous vote by the Board in order to initiate any
action.
I am further mindful of the excellent and cooperative working relationship that the members of
the current Board have. That relationship certainly does not suggest the need for a modification
to this provision at the present time.
My concern is that the JPA that we are finalizing today will control the actions of all future
boards which may consist of different personnel and perhaps even different member agencies.
While the requirement of a unanimous vote may be appropriate for this board, the question
remains whether that is a suitable provision for future boards.
I simply raise the issue to ensure that the Board has the ability to make a conscious decision on
this issue. If you are comfortable with requiring a unanimous vote for all actions, then no
revision is required. If you desire to change the JPA to require less than a unanimous vote, I
would recommend that the last three lines of Section 3.07 be changed to read as follows:
"An affirmative majority vote of the full membership of the Board, or their alternate, may
adopt any motion, resolution, or order and take any other action appropriate to carry
forward the objectives of the ABLE pursuant to this agreement. In the event there should
be a tie vote, then the presiding officer shall have the right to cast the deciding vote."
4) Section 3.15 contains an ambiguity with regard to who shall sign contracts on behalf
of the ABLE. I am informed that at present the presiding officer signs all contracts, and that they
are not countersigned by any individual. Assuming that procedure is satisfactory, then we need
to modify the JPA.
Currently, the JPA does not designate who shall sign contracts on behalf of the ABLE, and
Section 3.07 requires that all contracts be countersigned by the secretary.
CM10A000035
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Memo to Board - Airborne Law Enforcement
(ABLE)
September 9, 1999
Page 3
In order to accomplish that task, we need to amend Section 3.15 to read as follows:
"(a) — The presiding officer shall sign all contracts on behalf of the ABLE board."
"(b) — The secretary shall perform such duties as assigned by the Board and shall
keep minutes of the Board meetings."
"(c) — The Treasurer /Controller shall be bonded in the amount to be determined
by the Board and the bond fee shall be paid by the ABLE. The
Treasurer /Controller shall perform the duties as set forth in Sections 3.12, 4.02,
4.03, 4.04, 4.05, 4.09 and 4.10."
5) Section 3.12 gives the treasurer the option to perform the annual audit himself or to
contract it out to a CPA, whereas Section 4.05 requires that the audit be done by an independent
CPA.
I recommend that you require the annual audit to be conducted by a CPA We can accomplish
that by simply amending Section 3.12 by removing the words, "make or" from line 6. Once we
make that change, Section 3.12 will read as follows:
"The board shall appoint an officer or employee of a Member Agency to hold the offices
of Treasurer and Controller ( "Treasurer /Controller "), whose duties shall be in
conformance with Government Code sections 6505 and 6505.5. In performing the duties
of Treasurer /Controller, he/she shall follow the Member Agencies' policies and
procedures. The Treasurer /Controller shall also administer all contracts subsequent to the
Board's approval and shall contract with a certified public accountant to make an annual
audit of the accounts and records of the ABLE as provided in Government Code section
6505. The annual audit shall be submitted to the Board and each Member Agency when
completed. The annual budget shall be prepared by the Treasurer /Controller for the
approval by the Board. The ABLE's investment policies shall be the Member Agencies'
Investment policies as those may be modified by the Treasurers of the Member Agencies
and approved by the Board of the ABLE. The cost of the Treasurer's services shall be
reimbursed by the ABLE as provided in this Agreement."
6) Section 5.02 is one of the indemnity provisions that we previously discussed. I
recommend two further minor changes. The first is to add the word, "defend" to the first line,
and the second is to include the phrase, "or employees in the performance of this agreement" at
line 6.
The purpose is to simply ensure that there is no ambiguity and that the duty to indemnify
includes the duty to defend and that the obligation by the member cities to defend and indemnify
is limited to actions undertaken in performance of the Joint Powers agreement. This latter
CMIO-0000035
0.0
Memo to Board - Airborne Law Enforcement
(ABLE)
September 9, 1999
Page 4
provision simply ensures that there is no liability assumed by one member agency for the actions
of another member agency that are not related to an ABLE operation.
The recommended changes would result in Section 5.02 reading as follows:
"Each Member Agency hereto agrees to defend, indemnify and hold harmless the ABLE
and the other Member Agencies from any liability for damages, costs or attorney fees,
actual or alleged, to persons or property arising out of or resulting from defective
equipment owned or leased by the indemnifying Member Agency or from negligent acts
or omissions of the indemnifying Member Agency or its officials or employees or
employees in the performance of this agreement. In the event of liability imposed upon
any of the Member Agencies, or upon the Board created by this Agreement, for injury
which is caused by defective equipment or the negligent or wrongful act or omission of
any of the Member Agencies in the performance of this Agreement, the Member Agency
or Member Agencies that own or lease such defective equipment or are directly
responsible for the negligent or wrongful acts or omissions shall indemnify, defend, and
hold harmless the ABLE and all other Member Agencies from any liability for personal
injury or property damage arising out of the performance of this Agreement."
7) Section 5.04 raises another issue that I want to simply submit to the Board for their
consideration. Section 5.04 has the effect of each member agency giving up any claim that it
may have against ABLE or any other member agency arising out of services undertaken pursuant
to the agreement. That is a good provision in general, but it is important that the Board
understand its effect under the following hypothetical situation. Assume that an ABLE
helicopter is being flown by a Costa Mesa pilot who commits a negligent act, causing the
helicopter to crash into the city of Newport Beach city hall. That would result in an enormous
claim for damage most likely asserted against ABLE, the city of Costa Mesa, and the pilot. ,
Despite the fact that insurance is in place for all of those entities, I anticipate that the insurance
carrier for ABLE and the City of Costa Mesa may well take the position that any claim against
their insured (i.e., ABLE or city of Costa Mesa) is barred by the provisions of Section 5.04.
Recall that Section 5.04 has the effect of the City of Newport Beach waiving any claims that it
may have against ABLE or the City of Costa Mesa arising out of ABLE operations. Our
hypothetical facts fall within that situation, and the provision could, indeed, void coverage
otherwise available to ABLE and the City of Costa Mesa.
The dilemma is that Section 5.04 has a good motive and objective in obtaining mutual waivers
among ABLE, Newport Beach and Costa Mesa, but it presents a potential loophole to coverage
by the insurance carriers that the Board may not want to exist.
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Memo to Board - Airborne Law Enforcement
(ABLE)
September 9, 1999
Page 5
My suggestion is that we modify Section 5.04 to apply only to losses that exceed existing
insurance coverage. I propose that Section 5.04 be modified by inserting the words, "to the
extent not covered by insurance" in line 5. Section 5.04 would therefore read as follow:
"5.04 Except as provided herein, each Member Agency waives and gives up any claim
against or right to sue the ABLE, any Member Agency, or any of their officers,
employees or representatives, for any loss, damage or injury that arises out of, or is in any
way related to the performance of services pursuant to this Agreement to the extent not
covered by insurance. This waiver extends to liability for death, bodily injury, or
property damage that may be sustained by the ABLE, any Member Agency, or its
officers, employees, contractors, or agents and which was proximately caused, in whole
or in part, by the negligent act, conduct, or omission of the ABLE, any Member Agency,
and/or their respective officers, employees, agents, contractors, representatives, or any
third party. This waiver does not extend to death, bodily injury or property damage
caused by fraudulent or willful conduct, or any act which constitutes a violation of a
penal statute, and to a Member Agency's right to bring a legal action against other
Member Agencies who refuse or fail to honor its requirement to defend and/or indemnify
Othe ABLE and other Member Agencies as set forth in Sections 5.02 and 5.06."
8) Simply because we are amending the JPA anyway, I recommend that we clean it up
by removing the words "notwithstanding" at the beginning of Sections 1.02 and 1.03. The words
add nothing to the meaning and are simply cumbersome. I therefore recommend that they
simply be removed so that both sections will start, "Each Member Agency expressly retains ..."
CONCLUSION
I recommend that the Board make its decisions on the issues raised above, and we can then insert
the revised language where appropriate based upon the Board's decisions. Once those changes
are made, the JPA will be in final form and can be processed for submittal to the respective city
councils for review and approval.
fik
CMIO-0000035
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JOINT POWERS AGREEMENT FOR
AIRBORNE LAW ENFORCEMENT SERVICES
This Agreement is made and entered into this day of _
1999, in the County of Orange, State of California, by and between the City of Costa
Mesa ( "Costa Mesa ") and the City of Newport Beach ( "Newport Beach "), collectively
referred to as "Member Agencies."
RECITALS
WHEREAS, the Member Agencies have and possess the power and
authorization to finance, acquire and maintain a public law enforcement helicopter
service and facilities for the benefit of the lands and inhabitants within their
respective boundaries; and
WHEREAS, the Member Agencies propose to join together to establish,
operate and maintain a helicopter service for the benefit of their respective lands and
inhabitants; and
WHEREAS, it is in the public interest to provide a means by which other public
agencies acquire helicopter service for the benefit of their lands and inhabitants.
NOW, THEREFORE, for and in consideration of the mutual promises and
covenants contained herein the parties hereto agree as follows:
I
PURPOSE
1.01 The purpose of this Agreement is to cooperate with each Member
Agency in the exercise of some or all of their powers to establish a regional air
support unit in the manner set forth in this Agreement.
1.02 Each Member Agency expressly retains all rights and
powers to finance, plan, develop, construct, equip, maintain, repair, manage, operate,
and control equipment, facilities, properties, and projects that it deems in its sole
discretion to be necessary or desirable and that are authorized by the laws governing
it. This Agreement shall in no way impair any of the Member Agencies' respective
rights, powers or title to such equipment, facilities, properties and projects.
1.03 N Elk i gr-eEach Member Agency expressly retains all rights and
powers to use other funds or funding sources to finance, plan, develop, construct,
equip, maintain, repair, manage, operate and control equipment and facilities for a
law enforcement helicopter service system.
B
CREATION OF REGIONAL AIR SUPPORT UNIT
2.01 By this Agreement, Costa Mesa and Newport Beach agree to cooperate
with each other in the provision of helicopter service in the manner and under the
terms of this Agreement. The cooperative provision of helicopter services shall be
known as the Airborne Law Enforcement Services ( "ABLE ") and the Member
Agencies may agree on a different call name for ABLE.
2.02 The ABLE shall possess in its own name and the Member Agencies
delegate to it the following enumerated powers:
(a) To make and enter into contracts consistent with this
Agreement;
(b) To receive compensation, gifts, contributions and
donations of property, funds, services and other forms of
financial assistance from persons, firms, corporations, and
any governmental entity;
(c) To sue and be sued in its own name;
(d) To apply for an appropriate grant or grants under any
Federal, State, or local programs for assistance in
O developing any of its programs or providing helicopter
services to other public entities;
(e) To adopt rules, regulations, policies, by -laws and
procedures governing the operation of the ABLE;
(f) To add Member Agencies to the ABLE which contribute
flight crews and aircraft equipment and. execute
agreements and resolutions consistent with the terms of
this Agreement;
(g) To contract with public entities to provide helicopter
services to their land and residents;
I(U „Wr---To appoint officers, employees or agents.
(i) It is the intent of the parties to this agreement that ABLE
shall constitute a separate legal entity separate and apart
from the member agencies, and that its debts, obligations
and liabilities are its own and not that of the member
cities.
2.03 Said powers shall be exercised in the manner_ provided in the California
Q Joint Powers Act subject to the restrictions upon the manner of
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exercising the potiver ref the_city_of_l[ e�residin officer. It is understood
that the chief of police of the city of Costa Mesa and the chief of olice
of tile_citv of._Newooit Beach sh_jll_alteinate,_as the presiding _ officer on
an annual basis, Ei i7iipi-ebsly , r ' ;
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ORGANIZATION
3.01 The membership of the ABLE shall be the Member Agencies, public
entities which contribute flight crews, funding for aircraft equipment, and ABLE
employees and have executed or hereafter execute this Agreement, or any
subsequent amendments thereto, and which have not withdrawn from the ABLE.
3.02 The ABLE shall be managed by a Board consisting of the Chiefs of
Police of Costa Mesa and Newport Beach and one appointee for each Member
Agency for a total of four (4) Board Members. The Chiefs of Police of Costa Mesa
and Newport Beach shall each appoint one Board member and their alternate. Each
Board member, or in the absence of a Board member, the alternate shall have one
vote on all matters before the Board. The members of the Board may be
supplemented or amended from time to time.
3.03 Each Board member and alternate shall hold office until a successor is
selected, elected or appointed, as the case may be, under the powers of each
Member Agency. The term of the Board member or alternate who is a public official
or employee of a Member Agency shall terminate upon such Board Member or
alternate leaving office and the vacancy 'shall be filled by selection, election or
appointment, as the case may be, under the powers of each Member Agency.
3.04 Board members and alternates shall not receive additional compensation
for the service on the ABLE Board, but may be reimbursed by the ABLE for
reasonable expenses incurred in conducting the business of the ABLE, as provided in
this Agreement, when the expenses are not paid by the employing Member Agencies.
3.05 The principal office of the ABLE shall be established by the Board and
shall be located within the County of Orange. The Board may change the principal
office from one location to another within the County of Orange. Any change of
address shall be noted by the Board but shall not be considered an amendment to this
Agreement.
3.06 The Board shall meet at a location as may be designated by the Board.
The time and place of regular meetings of the Board shall be determined by resolution
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adopted by the Board. A copy of such resolution shall be furnished to the Member
O Agencies. All meetings of the Board, including regular, adjourned, and special
meetings, shall be called and held in a manner as provided in the Ralph M. Brown
Act, Chapter 9, Division 2, Title 5 of the California Government Code commencing
with section 54950 et seq., as amended.
3.07 All of the powers and authority of the ABLE shall be exercised by the
Board unless specifically delegated to the extent permitted by law or reserved to the
Member Agencies under this Agreement. Unless otherwise provided herein, each
Board Member shall be entitled to one (1) vote. Except as otherwise provided herein,
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E,... ,,.,, the abja,,,;, es of 4h Anu .scant !e this A...,,,.., eRt an affirmative
maig ity__vote cf the full membership of the Board1 or_their alternate may adopt anv
motion resolution, or, order _and take any_ other _action pRproeriatg to .carry forward
the objectives of the ABLE_pursuant to this agreement. In the event there should be
a tie vote, then the presiding officer shall have the right to cast the decidingvote.
3.08 The Board shall designate a recording secretary to keep the minutes of
all open meetings of the Board, and shall cause a copy of such minutes to be
forwarded to each Member Agency within a reasonable time after each meeting.
3.09 The Board may adopt from time to time policies, rules and regulations
for the conduct of its affairs and that of the ABLE as may be required and consistent
with this Agreement.
3.10 Where this Agreement requires an approval of a resolution by Member
Agencies in any matter, the approval shall be evidenced by a certified copy of the
resolution of the governing body of such Member Agency filed with the ABLE. It
shall be the responsibility of the Board to obtain certified copies of said actions.
3.11 On an annual basis, the Board shall appoint a Board member to be the
presiding officer for the purpose of conducting the Board meetings.
. 3.12 The Board shall appoint an officer or employee of a Member Agency to
hold the offices of Treasurer and Controller ( "Treasurer /Controller "), whose duties
shall be in conformance with Government Code sections 6505 and 6505.5. In
performing the duties of Treasurer /Controller, he /she shall follow the Member
Agencies' policies and procedures. The Treasurer /Controller shall also administer all
contracts subsequent to the Board's approval and shall of contract with a
certified public accountant to make an annual audit of the accounts and records of
the ABLE as provided in Government Code section 6505. The annual audit shall be
submitted to the Board and each Member Agency when completed. The annual
budget shall be prepared by the Treasurer /Controller for the approval by the Board.
The ABLE's investment policies shall be the Member Agencies' investment policies as
those may be modified by the Treasurers of the Member Agencies and approved by
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the Board of the ABLE. The cost of the Treasurer's services shall be reimbursed by
the ABLE as provided in this Agreement.
3.13 The Board shall have the power to appoint additional officers,
employees, or agents. Any officer, employee or agent of the ABLE shall also be an
officer, employee or agent of any of the Member Agencies, provided, however, that
the ABLE may appoint employees of the ABLE that are subject to the personnel
system of the ABLE and said employees would not be employees of the Member
Agencies. The appointment by the Board of such a person from a Member Agency
shall be evidence that the two positions are compatible.
3.14 The City Attorneys or their Deputies of the Member Agencies shall serve
jointly as counsel to the ABLE, to the extent permitted by such waivers of conflict of
interests to authorize such representation as may be executed by the Member
Agencies and the ABLE Board.
and:
3.15 The officers shall perform all duties normal to their respective offices
taL _+ai —The presidirlc7__officer shall sici_ all contracts on
behalf of the ABLE board. i-" perfeFm
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(b) The secretary shall herfonn_ such duties as ass±cgned tvthe
Board and shall keep minutes of the board meetings.
ll(b) The Treasurer /Controller shall be bonded in the amount to
be determined by the Board and the bond fee shall be paid
by the ABLE. The Treasurer /Controller shall perform the
duties as set forth in Sections 3.12, 4.02, 4.03, 4.04,
4.05, 4.09 and 4.10.
3.16 The Board shall appoint a Commander to manage and oversee day -to-
day operations of the ABLE. The Commander shall be a sworn police officer of a
Member Agency and of a rank of at least a sergeant. Each Member Agency shall
appoint a liaison officer ( "LO ") to the ABLE and the LO shall be a sworn police
officer and of a rank of at least a Captain. The LO's of each Member Agency shall
meet collectively, as needed, to advise the Board on the levels of service and
methods of operation of the ABLE, and supervision of the ABLE Commander. The
Commander shall manage the daily operations of the ABLE and supervision of the
other employees appointed by the ABLE Board, the helicopter crews and mechanics
of the ABLE and mechanics of other Member Agencies as directed by the ABLE. 0
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3.17 All of the privileges and immunities from liability, exemption from
laws, ordinances and rules, all relief, pension, disability, worker's compensation,
and other benefits which apply to the activity of officers, employees, or agents of
any of the Member Agencies when performing their respective functions shall apply
to them to the same degree and extent while they are engaged in the performance
of any of the functions and other duties under this Agreement. None of the
officers, agents or employees of a Member Agency appointed to the Board or
performing services at the direction of the ABLE shall be deemed by reason of their
appointment or service to be employed by any of the other Member Agencies or the
ABLE or be subject to any of the requirements of the other Member Agencies.
IV
BUDGET AND DISBURSEMENTS
4.01 The Board shall adopt an annual budget for the ensuing fiscal year
pursuant to procedures developed by the Board.
4.02 The Treasurer /Controller shall draw warrants upon the approval and
written order of the Board or the Board's designated LO. The Board shall
requisition the payment of funds only upon approval of such claims or
disbursements and such requisition for payment in accordance with rules,
regulations, policies, procedures, and by -laws adopted by the Board.
4.09 All funds received by the Treasurer /Controller for helicopter services
provided by the ABLE, will be placed in object accounts, and the receipt, transfer,
or disbursement of such funds during the term of this Agreement shall be
accounted for in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles
applicable to governmental entities. There shall be strict accountability of all funds.
All revenues and expenditures shall be reported to the Board on a quarterly basis.
4.04 All expenditures within the approved annual budget shall be made
upon the approval of the Treasurer /Controller in accordance with the rules, policies
and procedures adopted by the Board. No expenditure in excess of those budgeted
shall be made without the unanimous approval of the Board and the budget shall
thereafter be revised and amended.
4.05 The records and accounts of the ABLE shall be audited annually by an
independent certified public accountant and the cost of the audit shall be paid by
the ABLE. The minimum requirements shall be those prescribed by the State
Controller under California Government Code section 26909 and in conformance
with generally accepted auditing standards. Copies of such audit report shall be
filed with the County Auditor and each Member Agency no later than fifteen (15)
days after receipt of said audit by the Board.
4.06 The Member Agencies have agreed by resolution through their
respective City Councils to fund on an equal basis the ABLE helicopter operations
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fund through annual budget appropriations. The subject resolutions shall not limit
the authority of each Member Agency to crease appropriations for the ABLE
helicopter operations as determined by their respective City Councils,_ provided,
however, that a decision to cease appropriations shall be subiect to the terms of
Section 6.2. below.
4.07 The Member Agencies acknowledge and agree that the ABLE will act
as a conduit for the management, direction and provision of law enforcement
helicopter services to the Member Agencies and to other public agencies that
contract with the ABLE for such services. The Commander shall keep a written
account of the actual flight hours of the services provided to each Member Agency,
each contracting agency, and the Regional Narcotics Suppression Program
( "RNSP "). The written account of such flight hours shall be provided to the Board
on a monthly basis.
4.08 Based on information provided by the Commander, the
Treasurer /Controller shall keep a written account of services provided other
public agencies by the Member Agencies at the direction of the ABLE. All
revenues received from other public agencies contracting with the ABLE for
helicopter services shall be shared equally on a monthly basis by each
Member Agency.
4.09 In establishing rates for helicopter services to public agencies, the
Board shall assure that the contracts for such services provide for the
reimbursement of the actual expenses of providing the services, insurance coverage
by the Member Agencies for their personnel and equipment, and administrative
expenses of the ABLE. Payment for the ABLE helicopter services by contracting
public agencies shall be made on a monthly basis to the Treasurer /Controller of the
ABLE. The Treasurer /Controller shall provide a written monthly account of all
revenues and expenses of the ABLE services to other public agencies to the Board.
4.10 Provided funds are available for appropriation, the Member Agencies
agree to budget the necessary funds to purchase such aircraft for the ABLE as
mutually agreed upon by the Member Agencies.
V
LIABILITIES
5.01 The Member Agencies acknowledge that each agency is contributing
its own personnel and equipment to a cooperative pool of personnel and equipment
to be managed by the ABLE. Each Member Agency shall retain all debts, liabilities,
insurance, and other obligations for its personnel and the ABLE shall retain all
debts, liabilities, insurance, and other obligations for the helicopter equipment and
the ABLE appointed employees subject to the ABLE personnel system. Where
necessary, and at the direction of the ABLE Board, each Member Agency agrees to
add the ABLE as an additional insured on their respective insurance or self-
7
insurance coverage for their personnel and equipment. In the event that the costs
of each Member Agency's personnel and equipment contributed to the ABLE for
each fiscal year exceeds the amount of funds to be reimbursed by the ABLE for
such costs, the Member Agencies agree to waive all rights to be reimbursed for
such costs by the ABLE from funds received by the ABLE in subsequent fiscal
years. Each Member Agency agrees to expressly waive any and all rights to be
reimbursed by the other Member Agencies for personnel and equipment contributed
to the ABLE to the extent that revenues received by the ABLE are not sufficient for
the ABLE to reimburse the Member Agency for the costs of its personnel and
equipment contributed to the ABLE.
5.02 Each Member Agency hereto agrees to defend, indemnify and hold
harmless the ABLE and the other Member Agencies from any liability for damages,
costs or attorney fees, actual or alleged, to persons or property arising out of or
resulting from defective equipment owned or leased by the indemnifying Member
Agency or from negligent acts or omissions of the indemnifying Member Agency or
its officials or employees in the performance of this agreement. In the event of
liability imposed upon any of the Member Agencies, or upon the Board created by
this Agreement, for injury which is caused by defective equipment or the negligent
or wrongful act or omission of any of the Member Agencies in the performance of
this Agreement, the Member Agency or Member Agencies that own or lease such
defective equipment or are directly responsible for the negligent or wrongful acts or
omissions shall indemnify, defend, and hold harmless the ABLE and all other
Member Agencies from any liability for personal injury or property damage arising
out of the performance of this Agreement.
5.03 Member Agencies agree that the ABLE and Member Agencies should
be fully protected from any loss, injury, liability, damage, claim, lawsuit, cost or
expense arising out of, or in any way related to, the performance of services
pursuant to this Agreement. Accordingly, the provisions of this Agreement should
be construed and interpreted to provide the fullest possible protection to the ABLE,
Member Agencies and Member Agency's officers and employees. Member
Agencies acknowledge that the ABLE would not provide services pursuant to this
Agreement or related agreements in the absence of the commitments of each
Member Agency as specified in this section. Member Agencies acknowledge that
the ABLE Board, Commander and LO may be subject to liability for decisions,
management and actions in the supervision and direction of the ABLE. In this
regard, Member Agencies agree that the ABLE shall obtain directors and officers
insurance for the ABLE directors and officers, and that the cost of such insurance
coverage shall be deducted from funds distributed by the ABLE to the Member
Agencies on a pro rata basis equal to the number of Member Agencies, i.e., fifty
percent (50 %) for two (2) Member Agencies, etc.
5.04 Except as provided herein, each Member Agency waives and gives up
any claim against or right to sue the ABLE, any Member Agency, or any of their
officers, employees or representatives, for any loss, damage or injury that arises
8
out of, or is in any way related to the performance of services pursuant to this
Agreement to the extent_fhat said cla.ii._ur_right is_n�t_ covered by_insurance. This
waiver extends to liability for death, bodily injury, or property damage that may be
sustained by the ABLE, any Member Agency, or its officers, employees,
contractors, or agents and which was proximately caused, in whole or in part, by
the negligent act, conduct, or omission of the ABLE, any Member Agency, and /or
their respective officers, employees, agents, contractors, representatives, or any
third party. This waiver does not extend to death, bodily injury or property damage
caused by fraudulent or willful conduct, or any act which constitutes a violation of
a penal statute, and to a Member Agency's right to bring a legal action against
other Member Agencies who refuse or fail to honor its requirement to defend and /or
indemnify the ABLE and other Member Agencies as set forth in Sections 5.02 and
5.06.
5.05 Any public agency, other than the Member Agencies, receiving
services pursuant to this Agreement, and /or any other contract with the ABLE, shall
be required to agree as follows: AGENCY and ABLE (including its member agencies
and their respective officers, employees, contractors, agents and representatives)
shall mutually defend and indemnify the other in an amount equal to its
proportionate share of liability on a comparative fault basis. This indemnity
obligation shall exist with respect to any claim, loss, liability, damage, lawsuit,
cost, or expense that arises out of, or is in any way related to the performance of
services by ABLE within the public agency's jurisdiction. The obligation of each
public agency pursuant to his section extends, without limitation, to an injury,
death, loss or damage which occurs within that public agency's jurisdiction and
which is sustained by any third party, any employee or contractor of the public
agency, or the contractor's employees. The terms of this section shall be
contained in any agreement by ABLE with non - member public agencies.
5.06 Member Agencies shall be responsible for the continued provisions of
worker's compensation for the officers or agents of the Member Agencies that
serve as officers or employees of the ABLE. In this regard, each Member Agency
shall defend, indemnify and hold harmless the ABLE and any other Member
Agencies, and their respective officers, employees, contractors, agents and
representatives with respect to any claim, loss, liability, damage, lawsuit, cost or
expense that arises out of, or is in any way related, to any industrial /worker
compensation injury sustained by an employee of the indemnifying Member Agency
during the performance of service by the ABLE or the responding Member Agencies
under this Agreement.
VI
ADMISSION AND WITHDRAWAL OF PARTIES
6.1 Additional public agencies that contribute personnel and aircraft
equipment may become Member Agencies to the ABLE upon such terms and
conditions as provided by the Board and upon the unanimous consent of the
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existing Member Agencies as evidenced by approval of resolutions therefore and
the execution of a written amendment to this Agreement by all of the Member
Agencies, including the additional Member Agency.
6.2 The withdrawal of any Member Agency, either voluntarily or
involuntarily shall, unless otherwise provided for by the Board, be conditioned as
follows:
(a) Involuntary withdrawal shall mean those circumstances
where a Member Agency must withdraw due to fiscal or
budgetary impacts which discontinue the funding of flight
crews or aircraft;
(b) In the case of a voluntary withdrawal, written notice shall
be given one hundred twenty (120) days prior to the end
of a fiscal year except that such notice may be shortened
by unanimous approval of the Board;
(c) Neither voluntary or involuntary withdrawal shall relieve
the withdrawing Member Agency of its proportionate
share of any debts or other liabilities incurred by the ABLE
prior to the effective date of the Member Agency's
withdrawal, nor any liabilities imposed upon or incurred
by the Member Agency pursuant to this Agreement prior
to the effective date of the Member Agency's
withdrawal;
(d) Withdrawal shall not result in the forfeiture of that
Member Agency's rights and claims relating to revenues
received by the ABLE during the time period that the
Member Agency provided services under the ABLE
direction; and
(e) The withdrawing Member Agency shall retain all rights
and title to its personnel and shall remove such personnel
from the direction of the ABLE. The helicopter equipment
shall be held in title by the ABLE and subject to
reasonable sale upon termination of the ABLE.
VII
TERMINATION AND DISPOSITION OF ASSETS
7.01 The ABLE shall continue to exercise the powers herein until the
termination of this Agreement and any extension thereof as provided in this
paragraph or until the Member Agencies have mutually rescinded this Agreement;
provided, however, that the ABLE shall continue to exist for the purposed of
10
disposing of all claims, distribution of assets and all other functions necessary to
conclude the affairs of the ABLE. 0
7.02 Termination shall occur upon the written consent of all Member
Agencies, upon the withdrawal from the ABLE of a sufficient number of the
Member Agencies to leave fewer than two (2) Member Agencies remaining in the
ABLE and full satisfaction of all outstanding financial obligations of the ABLE.
However, no such termination shall occur until all other contractual obligations of
the ABLE have been satisfied.
7.03
In the event of the
termination of this Agreement, any
funds
remaining following the discharge
of all obligations shall be disposed
of by
returning to
each current Member Agency of the ABLE immediately prior
to the
termination
of this Agreement, a
share of such funds proportionate
to the
contribution
made to the ABLE by
said Member Agency, to the extent
legally
possible.
7.04 Notwithstanding other provisions in the Agreement, the Member
Agencies Costa Mesa and Newport Beach agree to follow a procedure for selling of
equipment and aircraft in the event the Agreement is terminated. The equipment
and aircraft shall be given a fair market value by an appraiser mutually agreed upon
by Costa Mesa and Newport Beach. Before the equipment and aircraft are sold on
the open market, Costa Mesa and Newport Beach each shall have the right to
purchase the equipment and aircraft at a price and under terms as mutually agreed
upon by Costa Mesa and Newport Beach which may include a financing
arrangement for the purchaser and a leasing arrangement for the non - purchasing
Member Agency to allow for a transition period after the termination of the
Agreement. Proceeds from the sale of equipment and aircraft upon termination of
the Agreement shall be equally distributed (50/50) to Costa Mesa and Newport
Beach.
VIII
MISCELLANEOUS
8.01 Amendments.
This Agreement may be amended with the unanimous approval of all
Member Agencies; provided, however, that no amendment may be made which
would adversely affect the interests of the owners of bonds, letters of credit or
other financial obligations of the ABLE.
8.02 Notices.
Any notice or instrument required to be given or delivered by depositing the
same in any United States Post Office, registered or certified, postage prepaid,
addressed to the Member Agencies, shall be deemed to have been received by the
Member Agency to whom the same is addressed at the expiration of seventy -two
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(72) hours after deposit of the same in the United States Post Office for
transmission by registered or certified mail as aforesaid.
8.03 Effective Date.
This Agreement shall be effective at such time as this Agreement has been
executed by any two or more of the Member Agencies enumerated in the
introduction of this Agreement.
8.04 Conflicts of Interest.
No officer or employee of the ABLE or any Member Agency shall have any
financial interest, direct or indirect, in the ABLE. Nor shall any such officer or
employee participate in any decision relating to the ABLE which affects his or her
financial interests or those of a corporation, partnership, or association in which he
or she is directly or indirectly interested, in violation of any State law or regulation.
8.05 Arbitration.
(a) Any controversy or claim between any two or more
Member Agencies, or between any such Member Agency
or Member Agencies and the ABLE, with respect to the
ABLE's operations, or to any claims, disputes, demands,
differences, controversies, or misunderstandings arising
under, out of, or in relation to this Agreement, shall be
O submitted to and determined by arbitration. To the
extent not inconsistent herewith, the rules of the
American Arbitration Association shall apply.
(b) The Member Agency desiring to initiate arbitration shall
give notice of its intention to arbitrate to every other
Member Agency and the ABLE. Such notice shall
designate such other Member Agencies as the initiating
Member Agency intends to have bound by any award
made therein.
(c). The decision of the arbitrator shall be binding upon all
Member Agencies involved in the arbitration. Each
Member Agency to the arbitration shall bear its own legal
costs, including attorney fees.
8.06 Partial Invalidity.
If any one or more of the terms, provisions, sections, promises, covenants or
conditions of this Agreement shall to any extent be adjudged invalid, unenforceable
or void for any reason whatsoever by a court of competent jurisdiction, each and all
of the remaining terms, provisions, sections, promises, covenants and conditions of
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this Agreement shall not be affected thereby and shall be valid and enforceable to
the fullest extent permitted by law.
8.07 Successors.
This Agreement shall be binding upon and shall inure to the benefit of the
successors of the Member Agencies hereto.
8.08 Assignment.
A Member Agency shall not assign any rights or obligations under this
Agreement without the written consent of all other Member Agencies.
8.09 Execution.
The legislative bodies of the Member Agencies enumerated herein have each
authorized execution of this Agreement, as evidenced by the authorized signatures
below, respectively.
Dated: CITY OF COSTA MESA
By:
Mayor
ATTEST: APPROVED AS TO FORM:
Deputy City Clerk City Attorney
of the City of Costa Mesa
Dated: CITY OF NEWPORT BEACH
By:
ATTEST: APPROVED AS TO FORM:
City Clerk of the
City of Newport Beach
13
City Attorney
JPA AGR 090999
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