The URL can be used to link to this page

Home My WebLink About17 - ABLE Helicopter ServicesCITY OF NEWPORT BEACH CITY COUNCIL STAFF REPORT Agenda Item No. 17 February 22, 2011 TO: HONORABLE MAYOR AND MEMBERS OF THE CITY COUNCIL FROM: City Manager's Office Dave Kiff, City Manager 9491644 -3002 or dkiff @newportbeachca.gov SUBJECT: A.B.L.E — Helicopter Services RECOMMENDATION: Offer direction to staff regarding airborne law enforcement services DISCUSSION: As described in the attached memorandum from Chief Jay Johnson of the Newport Beach Police Department, the City will need to decide what's next for airborne law enforcement services given the withdrawal of the City of Costa Mesa from ABLE. Maintaining ABLE on our own is not a viable nor cost - effective option. Staff respects the importance of an airborne presence as a "force multiplier" and is now pursuing other options that would allow us to maintain a significant air presence into the future, including working on a more regional solution involving other cities or even private parties. We intend to return back to the City Council with a recommendation as to how to proceed Council comments are welcomed in advance of that research. Environmental Review: Exempt. Submitted by: Dave iff City Manager Attachment: Memo from Chief Johnson CITY OF NEWPORT BEACH OFFICE OF THE CHIEF OF POLICE February 18, 2010 TO: Dave Kiff, City Manager FROM: Jay R. Johnson, Chief of Police SUBJECT: DISSOLUTION OF AIRBORNE LAW ENFORCEMENT SERVICES On February 15, 2011, the Costa Mesa City Council voted to dissolve the Joint Powers Agreement with the City of Newport Beach regarding Airborne Law Enforcement Services (ABLE). This action will effectively end the ABLE Program that currently provides air support for the City. BACKGROUND: The City of Newport Beach has utilized helicopters since the 1970's. In 1996, Costa Mesa and Newport Beach merged their individual helicopter programs into one and formed ABLE, saving each City $500,000 during the first year of operation. ABLE's success is derived from cost sharing and vigilantly evaluating the operation for additional savings. ABLE serves the City of Santa Ana by way of contract, and each member agency receives $180,000 in revenue to offset their expenditures. Annually, ABLE flies 1,500 hours and handles 3,000 calls for service. ABLE is instrumental in reducing the workload for ground officers on perimeters, area searches, natural disasters, as well as reducing liability during pursuits and other dynamic events. ABLE assists Fire Departments through the use of infrared technology, downlink of incidents, and firefighting of vegetation fires. ABLE is a force multiplier that has enhanced our law enforcement operations for many years. FISCAL REVIEW: The dissolution of ABLE will require selling the aircraft, parts, vehicles, and tools. All non - qualified grant equipment would be reallocated to other agencies. Contracts between ABLE, the Orange County Sheriffs Department (OCSD), and Santa Ana Police Department will be terminated. ABLE's hangar lease expires on April 1, 2012, and does not have a provision for early termination, thus requiring an expenditure of $119,700. ABLE has a total fund balance of $3,113,300 in the Equipment Replacement Fund and $998,965 in the General Fund. ABLE also owns three EC120 helicopters whose market value has yet to be determined. Upon dissolution and following the payment of all ABLE liabilities, half of these assets, as well as the proceeds from the sale of equipment, will be returned to the City. Mr. Kiff February 18, 2011 Page 2 The current projected impact of the ABLE Program to the City's General Fund for FY 11/12 is: Salaries and Benefits $ 422,270 1 Sergeant, 1 Pilot Maintenance and Operations $ 490,255 Same as FY 10/11 Helicopter Replacement $ 233,000 Not Funded in FY 10/11 Revenue from Contract Cities $ 180,000 TOTAL NET COST: $965,525 IMPACT ON CITY PERSONNEL: The Sergeant and Pilot positions can be absorbed back into the Police Department to fill existing vacancies. However, I am requesting the funding for those positions be moved to the Patrol Division. Newport Beach also employs three full -time helicopter mechanics who are paid from ABLE's Maintenance and Operations fund. It is uncertain if these employees could be reclassified into other City positions. LEGAL REVIEW: The Attorney for the ABLE Board has completed a preliminary legal review, and no significant legal issues would prevent the dissolution of the Program. OPTIONS: ABLE is a valuable asset; however, absent the partnership with Costa Mesa and with the existing budget realities, it is unlikely the City of Newport Beach can sustain the Program alone. Potential options for providing air support include the creation of a regionalized program involving the OCSD and other cities; contracting with Huntington Beach, Anaheim, or the OCSD for services; contracting with a private entity; or relying on mutual - aid agreements in emergency situations. Further study and consideration of these and /or other options is necessary to determine feasibility. February 08, 2011 EIVED 8 AN 11: 42 50 Carroll Creek Way, Suite 260, Frederick, MD 21701 OFFICE O'FC Cell (432) 230 -2373 mjackson@alea.org THE CITY CL.EIK www.alea.ore CITY OF N- N.,"�ORT BEKH City of Newport Beach 3300 Newport Blvd. Newport Beach, California 92663 Dear City Manager Dave Kiff, The Airborne Law Enforcement Association (ALFA) is a Frederick, Maryland -based nonprofit educational organization which exists to support, promote, and advance the safe and effective utilization of aircraft by governmental agencies in support of public safety missions through training, networking, advocacy, and educational programs. It has come to our attention that you are considering the grounding of the Airborne Law Enforcement Services (ABLE) helicopter program as a cost - cutting measure. We understand that all of us, citizens and governments alike, are facing difficult financial challenges and that every little bit of savings helps. But, there are instances where the "penny -wise; pound foolish' ' adage is truly illustrative and we believe strongly that this is one of them. The Airborne Law Enforcement Services has been in existence for approximately 40 years. They have proved that they are not a luxury, but a necessity. They have an outstanding record of public service with a tremendous amount of experience; so much so that they are recognized as the model program for joint airborne units throughout the country. From initial start-up to the professional, efficient, and experienced operation that is the Airborne Law Enforcement Services Program today, a tremendous amount of time and resources have been committed. Those resources were spent wisely and the citizens of Costa Mesa, Newport Beach, and Orange County have been the direct beneficiaries, not to mention all of the law enforcement officers on the ground that have relied on this truly valuable resource. If this program goes away, it could very well be gone forever. We already know how many lives have been saved, acts of crime halted, and criminals captured. However, Airborne Law Enforcement Services provides support to all city services including Fire, Homeland Security, and the citizens of your community. It would be a tragedy to loose such a valuable asset. Thank you for your attention to this matter. If you have any questions or wish to discuss this further, please do not hesitate to contact me at the above phone number. Sincere , M in L. Jac son, President Airborne Law. Enforcement Association