191161

The City of Portland ordains:

Section 1. The Council finds:

1. The Air Support Unit of the Portland Police Bureau has existed since 1990. The Air Support Unit (ASU) consists of one full-time position, that of the ASU Sergeant. Four other pilots and six other Tactical Flight Officers are what is known as “detached,” which means their ASU functions are not their primary functions;
2. The Air Support Unit has been flying approximately 1200 hours per year. Year to date, this Unit has flown 1235.1 hours and conducted 188 patrol support missions, helping patrol officers respond to priority calls for service;
3. ASU has assisted many investigative units within the Police Bureau, and nine agencies outside of the Bureau, such as the Portland Fire Bureau, Portland Water Bureau, Rose Festival Flights, the Multnomah County Sheriff's Office, with various requests within this year as well;
4. The Air Support Unit is equipped with two Cessna airplanes.  One of these planes, the 1978 Cessna Skyhawk, purchased in the 1990’s and having over 10,000 hours of use on its airframe, is nearing the end of their useful life; the specialized equipment installed for law enforcement use also requires replacement;
5. At this time, the Police Bureau would like to replace Skyhawk. The City of Portland purchased this aircraft in 1999. The specialized equipment installed in the Skyhawk is outdated, and flight missions are being canceled due to the equipment breakage. Maintenance costs are increasing for this Cessna due to the airframe's wear and tear;
6. Sufficient funding resides within the Bureau’s current appropriations to cover the cost of the requested equipment purchases; and
7. It is in the best interests of the City to expeditiously replace the Skyhawk aircraft and equipment due to its non-operative status, which limits patrol options for ASU and potentially impacts the safety of the community.

NOW, THEREFORE, the Council directs:

1. The Chief Procurement Officer is authorized to work with the Special Resources Division of the Police Bureau, to identify and secure the equipment necessary for use by ASU to replace PPB’s existing airplane and equipment, and to execute one or more contracts for goods or services in accordance with City Procurement Code, provided the contracts are approved as to form by the City Attorney’s Office.
2. The Mayor and City Auditor are hereby authorized to pay for said purchase from the Police budget.

Section 2.  The Council declares that an emergency exists as it is important for the benefit of the City to affect these equipment purchases without additional delay; therefore, this Ordinance shall be in full force and effect from and after its passage by the Council.