Item 15 - Agreement for Unmanned Aerial Systems (Drones)

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Police Department www.santa-ana.org/pd Item # 15 City of Santa Ana 20 Civic Center Plaza, Santa Ana, CA 92701 Staff Report February 3, 2026 TOPIC: Unmanned Aerial Systems (Drones) AGENDA TITLE Agreement with Axon Enterprise, Inc. for the Implementation of the Drone as a First Responder System and Patrol Drone Purchase for the Police Department (Non-General Fund - SLESA) RECOMMENDED ACTION Authorize the City Manager to execute an agreement with Axon Enterprise, Inc. to provide the Drone as a First Responder system, patrol drones, and all required software licenses to the Police Department, in an amount not to exceed $682,900 for a term beginning February 3, 2026 and expiring February 2, 2029 (Agreement No. A-2026- XXX). GOVERNMENT CODE 484308 APPLIES: Yes DISCUSSION On May 17, 2022, the City of Santa Ana adopted an Ordinance Amending Section 2- 809 of Article VII.II of Chapter 2 of the Santa Ana Municipal Code adopting the Santa Ana Police Department's Military Equipment Policy (Policy 707) pursuant to California Assembly Bill 481 (Government Code Sections 7070 et seq.). Per the adoption by Council, Policy 707 listed specific Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) that are no longer available. The Department is now proceeding with purchasing three (3) Skydio X10 (DFR) and two (2) Skydio R10 patrol drones that are substantially similar to the drones listed in the Policy 707 for all operational aspects, including the purpose, authorized uses, lifespan, training, and the legal and procedural rules. Additionally, the Department included UAS as a potential future purchase in the Military Equipment Policy and will report these drones in its annual review. In 2022, the Police Department began researching the implementation of an Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) program, commonly known as a drone program. The process included forming a drone committee, meeting with several UAS manufacturers,