Staff presented the annual AB 481 report on police military equipment and the council renewed the city’s policy and ordinance covering possession, use and acquisition of such equipment.
Lede: The Gonzales City Council on Aug. 18 conducted the required community meeting under AB 481 to review its police department’s annual military equipment report and voted to renew the city’s existing ordinance and policy for another year.
Nut graf: Staff told the council the department has not acquired military equipment in the last year except for a hand unmanned aerial system (drone); the report listed nine semiautomatic rifles and three less-lethal projectile launchers already in inventory. Staff also said there were no records of sustained complaints alleging violations of the stated policy during the reporting period.
Body: A staff member summarized the legislation background: “In 2022, the legislature adopted government code section 7070, which required all cities to adopt an ordinance and a policy that pertains to the possession, use, and acquisition of military equipment,” the presenter said. The city adopted its ordinance and policy in mid-2022; staff said policy 709 (Lexipol-derived) has been continuously posted on the city website and has not been substantially changed.
The police report for 2024–25, posted earlier as required, listed equipment in inventory and explained budget compliance. The presenter said the only acquisition since the 2022 policy adoption was a drone; all costs were within the department budget.
Members of the public spoke. Resident Henry Martinez Jr. said he had repeatedly complained about police conduct and alleged privacy violations tied to drone use; he said he had filed complaints with the city and intended to pursue damages. Andrew Brown, a commenter who joined by Zoom, asked about outreach and whether the report had been posted prominently across social media.
Council Member (name not recorded) clarified that the council was reviewing an annual report and that staff indicated no recent purchases beyond the drone. The council then moved to approve resolution 2025-53 to renew the ordinance and policy; the motion passed on a voice vote with ayes recorded.
Ending: The renewal preserves the existing policy and public-posting requirements for another year. Staff and the police department will retain responsibility for reporting and posting future annual reports and for responding to citizen complaints through the city’s complaint processes.