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Discussion Item: City of Valdez Policy 8300-01 Small Unmanned Aircraft System
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SUBMITTED BY: Bart Hinkle, Chief of Police
FISCAL NOTES:
Expenditure Required: N/A
Unencumbered Balance: N/A
Funding Source: N/A
RECOMMENDATION:
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For Discussion. Policy has been approved by City Manager Detter.
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SUMMARY STATEMENT:
Use of small unmanned aircraft (sUA) in the public sector is becoming increasingly commonplace. A sUA can be utilized by COV employees at a fraction of the cost of manned aircraft, while not subject to the availability or potential limitations of a third party. Creation of the City's small unmanned aircraft system (sUAS) Program is in response to a host of diverse issues directly affecting all persons within the incorporated limits of the COV. These issues are primarily centric to: natural and manmade hazards; City planning, maintenance, and management; and routine emergency response to complex events.
The purpose of this Policy is to centralize all sUAS Operations in the City under one overarching mechanism that:
1. Ensures operational compliance with local, state, and federal laws
2. Is subject to the U.S. Constitution, the Alaska Constitution, and applicable case-law
3. Establishes sUAS Program organizational structure
4. Promotes a contemporary sUAS Program
5. Facilitates operational transparency for the public and City administration
6. Demarcates training and operational requirements for the sUAS Team
7. Contributes to a safe public airspace through defined risk mitigation
8. Enables informed City expansion and maintenance
9. Increases the City's protective capabilities for persons, infrastructure, and the environment
10. Safeguards sustained sUAS Operations through, accountability, competence, and public approbation
This Small Unmanned Aircraft System Policy governs City of Valdez operations of the sUAS Program. The sUAS Program harnesses aerial data to facilitate informed community maintenance, growth, ...
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