Memorandum
Date: June 6, 2024
To: The Honorable Lake County Board of Supervisors
From: Rob Howe, Sheriff/Coroner
Subject: Approve Agreement between the County of Lake and A&P Helicopters for Fiscal Year 2024/25 in the amount of $75,000 and authorize the Chair to sign
Executive Summary: The Lake County Sheriff’s Office requests Your Boards’ approval on the attached contract with A&P helicopter services for Fiscal Year 2024/25.
Helicopter services are utilized by the Sheriff’s Department for marijuana reconnaissance and eradication on public and private lands. These services are essential to the effectiveness of the marijuana enforcement program. In past years, the California National Guard has provided these services without cost, but they are now largely unavailable due to reduced resources and other commitments. Due to fire suppression activity, it is unknown which vendors will be available during the various times of the year.
The Sheriff's Office contacted Helico Sonoma Helicopter, who provides this type of service, however, they will not be able to contract with us as they will primarily be working with the U.S. Forest Service. The Sheriff’s Office has also contacted Sierra Air and Redding Air but both companies are unable to meet our requirements regarding availability and ability for our operations. PJ Helicopters is currently contracted with PG&E and is unavailable during the eradication season.
In addition to being contracted with these larger agencies and companies, most of the Heliocopter Companies do not and will not carry the required amount of insurance required by the County of Lake as is the case with Sierra Air. The only company that can perform the required duties and possesses the desired amount of insurance is A&P Helicopter.
Funding for marijuana eradication including flight time is paid through DEA and there is no cost to the county. It is allocation in the Sheriff/Marijuana budget 2203/23.80.
If not budgeted, fill in the blanks below only:
Estimated Cost: _75,000__ Amount Budgeted: ___109,500_ Additional Requested: ________ Future Annual Cost: ________
Purchasing Considerations (check all that apply): ☐ Not applicable
☐ Fully Article X. <https://library.municode.com/ca/lake_county/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=COOR_CH2AD_ARTXPU_S2-38EXCOBI>- and/or Consultant Selection Policy <http://lcnet.co.lake.ca.us/Assets/Intranet/Policy/Policies+$!26+Procedures+Manual/Ch4_2021v2.pdf>-Compliant (describe process undertaken in “Executive Summary”)
☐ Section 2-38 <https://library.municode.com/ca/lake_county/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=COOR_CH2AD_ARTXPU_S2-38EXCOBI> Exemption from Competitive Bidding (rationale in “Executive Summary,” attach documentation, as needed)
☐ For Technology Purchases: Vetted and Supported by the Technology Governance Committee <http://lcnet.co.lake.ca.us/Assets/Intranet/Intranet+Forms/Information+Technology/AdvPlan.pdf> (“Yes,” if checked)
☐ Other (Please describe in Executive Summary)
Consistency with Vision 2028 <http://www.lakecountyca.gov/Government/Directory/Administration/Visioning/Vision2028.htm> (check all that apply): ☒ Not applicable
☐ Well-being of Residents ☐ Public Safety ☐ Disaster Prevention, Preparedness, Recovery
☐ Economic Development ☐ Infrastructure ☐ County Workforce
☐ Community Collaboration ☐ Business Process Efficiency ☐ Clear Lake
Recommended Action: Approve Agreement between the County of Lake and A&P Helicopters for Fiscal Year 2024/25 in the amount of $75,000 and authorize the Chair to sign