TO: LINDA REICH, CITY MANAGER
FROM: KEVIN MENSEN, CHIEF OF POLICE
SUBJECT
title
Police Helicopter Grant Funds/Award of Bids for Purchase and Completion of Police Helicopter.
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RECOMMENDATION
recommendation
1) Establish and appropriate a project budget (IE259) in the amount of $3,703,336.49 for the Police Helicopter, consisting of $2,703,336.49 from Law Enforcement DIF Fund 231 and $1,000,000.00 of grant funding from San Bernardino County; 2) approve a contract with the County of San Bernardino to accept $1,000,000.00 in grant funding for the purchase of a police helicopter; 3) award a contract to Bell Helicopters Textron of Fort Worth, Texas, in the amount of $2,166,585.00 for the purchase of a new Bell 505 Police Helicopter; 4) award a contract to Hangar One Avionics of Carlsbad, California, in the amount of $1,347,175.50 for the purchase and installation of critical police mission equipment on a new Bell 505 Police Helicopter; 5) approve payment of California Use Tax to the California Department of Tax and Fee Administration in the amount of $189,576.19 for the out-of-state purchase of a police helicopter; and 6) authorize the City Manager to sign the required documents on behalf of the City.
body
FISCAL IMPACT
Appropriate $3,703,336.49 to the Equipment Management Fund 660 (IE259) with a backfill from the Law Enforcement Development Impact Fee Fund 261. Also, appropriate the Grant expense and revenue accounts (G4258), in the amount of $1,000,000.00. There is sufficient Law Enforcement DIF fund balance for this request.
CITY OF CHINO MISSION / VISION / VALUES / STRATEGIC ISSUES
The recommendation detailed above furthers the City’s values and strategic issues that serve as key pillars on which identified priorities, goals, and action plans are built, by fostering:
• Positive City Image
• Superior Customer Service
• Financial Stability
• Responsible Long-Range Planning
• Exemplary Leadership
• Public Service Excellence through Internal and External Partnerships
• Effective Technology
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Revenue: |
Expenditure: 6607400-40010-IE259/6607400-59500-40010/G4258 |
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Transfer In: |
Transfer Out: |
BACKGROUND
The City of Chino is a rapidly growing city that was recently named a Top 10 Boomtown in the United States. With this remarkable growth has come increased demands on police services. The State’s continuing disregard for the safety of our residents with the underfunding of the State Prison has created an increased threat to the safety of our community. The State has exacerbated the tenuous security situation with the addition of death row inmates. The use of innovative policing resources and technologies is essential to scaling the Police Department’s ability to keep Chino a safe place to live, work, and play.
The Police Department currently relies on air support from the San Bernardino County Sheriff and Ontario Police Department’s; however, assistance is not always available when needed. Their resources are shared across multiple jurisdictions, leading to delayed or no response. The Police Department also uses drones; however, drones are limited in their ability to provide the needed patrol capability afforded by the helicopter.
Recognizing the need for air support, the City began exploring the concept of a police helicopter program in 2001. In 2017, the City of Chino established Project LE-010 within the Law Enforcement Development Impact Fee (DIF) Program to prepare for this acquisition. Earlier this year, the Police Department secured a $1 million grant from San Bernardino County Supervisor Curt Hagman’s office which, along with DIF fees, will cover the entire purchase price of a police helicopter. The grant from the County requires a 25% fund match and that these funds only be used to purchase a police helicopter.
A police helicopter acts as an effective force multiplier which will allow the Police Department to deploy its ground resources more efficiently. The rapid response time of the helicopter will reduce response times, increase officer and citizen safety, allow for more efficient call handling during peak times, manage pursuits and quickly resolve critical incidents, including those at the state prison. The use of the helicopter in a patrol capacity will also serve as an effective deterrent to crime.
The ongoing operational costs for the police helicopter are anticipated to be approximately $620,000 per year in additional Police Department funding which represents an increase to the Police budget of approximately 1.2%. The operational costs will be included in the FY 2025-2026 budget as delivery of the completed helicopter and initial operations will take place in mid to late 2025.
The addition of a police helicopter will significantly enhance the Chino Police Department’s ability to respond to emergencies, manage incidents, and maintain public safety in a rapidly growing city. With secured funding from both grant and DIF sources, the helicopter program represents a necessary and responsible investment. Approval of this request will enable Chino to meet current and future policing challenges.
ISSUES/ANALYSIS
The City currently has $2.0 million allocated under Project LE-010 in the Development Impact Fee (DIF) program for the Police Helicopter Program. This allocation does not reflect the cost escalations that have occurred over the past few years. To address these cost increases, the City is preparing a comprehensive update to the DIF program, which includes a revised cost estimate of $2.7 million for the Police Helicopter Program.
There is sufficient fund balance within the DIF program to cover the updated costs associated with the helicopter purchase. In addition, the Law Enforcement Facilities, Vehicles, and Equipment DIF will also undergo a comprehensive update as part of this process. As part of the adjustment, funds initially earmarked for a solar panel project will be redirected to support other law enforcement projects slated for future implementation as the solar panel project is being completed through a power purchase agreement. This reallocation of funds will help offset the increased costs for supplies, equipment, police substation, the helicopter, and other police vehicles as the City plans for ongoing needs moving forward.
In June 2024, the City Council authorized issuing bids to acquire and fully equip a new police helicopter to meet the operational needs of the Police Department. In alignment with the City's Purchasing Code, two separate Invitations for Bids (IFBs) were issued: one for the purchase of a police helicopter and the other for the acquisition and installation of mission-specific equipment.
The City published IFB# 2024-0017 PD, titled "Chino Police Department Helicopter," on Planet Bids, ensuring full compliance with the City’s purchasing policy. The City received (1) one proposal by the closing date, as detailed below:
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CONTRACTOR |
COST |
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Bell Helicopters Textron, Fort Worth, Texas |
$2,166,585.00 |
The single bid from Bell Helicopters Textron was deemed to be responsive. Staff recommends that the City Council award a contract to Bell Helicopters Textron in the amount of $2,166,585 to supply a new Bell 505 Police Helicopter. This amount includes $26,700 for the required manufacturer training program. Because the helicopter will be delivered from out-of-state, a California Use Tax of $189,576.19 will be due and payable directly to the State of California.
The City published IFB# 2024-0021 PD, titled “PD Helicopter Retrofit V.2,” on Planet Bids, fully adhering to the City’s purchasing policy. The City received (3) three bids by the closing date, as detailed below:
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CONTRACTOR |
COST |
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Century Helicopters |
$1,195,376.07 |
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Hangar One Avionics, Inc. |
$1,347,175.50 |
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CNC Technologies, LLC |
$1,450,939.39 |
Following a thorough bid evaluation, staff determined Century Helicopters as non-responsive due to a location requirement for Southern California-based service providers. Staff identified Hangar One Avionics, Inc. as the lowest responsive and responsible bidder. Staff recommends awarding a contract to Hangar One Avionics, Inc. for $1,347,175.50 to supply and install the necessary mission equipment for the new helicopter, in line with bid specifications and cost-effectiveness.
In summary, these recommended awards to Bell Helicopters Textron and Hangar One Avionics, Inc. provide the Chino Police Department with a fully outfitted helicopter that meets operational needs, that aligns with the City’s purchasing policy.
Lastly, staff recommends that the City Council approve the contract with the County of San Bernardino accepting the $1,000,000.00 in grant funds for the purchase of the helicopter and authorize the City Manager to sign the required documents on the City’s behalf.
Attachments:
1. Bell Helicopters Textron Proposal
2. Hangar One Avionics Bid
3. Contract with San Bernardino for Receipt of Grant Funds