AGENDA DATE: 10/3/2018
TITLE:
Title
Resolution to Authorize the County's Acceptance of an Unmanned Aircraft System in Search and Rescue OperationsBODY
SUBJECT/PROPOSAL/REQUEST: Resolution to authorize the acceptance of an unmanned aircraft system to be used by the Sheriff's Office in its search and rescue operations
ITEM TYPE: Consent Action Item
STAFF CONTACT(S): Richardson, Kamptner, Farley, Harding
PRESENTER (S): N/A
LEGAL REVIEW: Yes
REVIEWED BY: Jeffrey B. Richardson
BACKGROUND: In 2016 and 2017, the County accepted the donation of three unmanned aircraft systems ("UAS") from three different individuals to be used by the Sheriff's Office for its search and rescue functions, including related training, as well as to perform incident situation awareness and incident scene documentation functions that are not for law enforcement purposes, as permitted by Virginia Code ? 19.2-60.1. Virginia Code ? 15.2-951 authorizes counties to receive gifts of personal property.
The County owns the three donated UASs, and obtained the public use Certificates of Authorization. In order to use a UAS for search and rescue operations, a public use Certificate of Authorization must be obtained from the Federal Aviation Administration (the "FAA"). Pursuant to 49 U.S.C. ? 40102(a)(41), only a political subdivision, such as the County, may receive a public use Certificate of Authorization to own and operate a UAS. The Sheriff's Office is not a political subdivision of Virginia.
The County and the Sheriff entered into a Memorandum of Understanding ("MOU") for each of the three UASs, which sets forth provisions regarding ownership, use, and insurance requirements.
STRATEGIC PLAN: Quality Government Operations Ensure County government's capacity to provide high quality service that achieves community priorities.
DISCUSSION: The Sheriff's Office has purchased a fourth UAS to be used for search and rescue purposes. The UAS must be owned by the County, and the C...
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