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Clear Lake council renews military equipment policy, approves annual report and planned armored rescue vehicle and drone
Summary
After a public hearing, the council renewed its military equipment policy and approved the police department’s 2024–25 annual report. The department listed a mobile command vehicle in current inventory and sought approval to acquire a drone and an armored rescue vehicle; council voted unanimously to renew the policy.
Clear Lake — The Clear Lake City Council voted unanimously to renew the city’s military equipment policy and accept the police department’s annual report for 2024–25, including plans for a drone and an armored rescue vehicle.
Chief Hobbs presented the department’s report and said the agency “does not currently utilize former military equipment,” while noting that California law broadly defines military equipment and requires listing many items commonly used by police. He said the department’s mobile command vehicle — a converted ambulance used for parades, major incidents and traffic-collision investigations — must be listed under the statute.
“Annual operating costs for the last fiscal year was $51.74,” Chief Hobbs said in his cost overview for the mobile command vehicle; staff materials also list budget options for future equipment purchases, including general fund, state grants and asset-forfeiture funds.
The department identified two planned acquisitions. The first is a drone for search and rescue, tactical support, hazard monitoring and emergency response; Hobbs told the council the funding for that acquisition is already included in the budget the council approved earlier this year. The second planned item is an armored rescue vehicle, described in the report as intended to protect officers and enable safe rescues in high-risk situations such as active-shooter incidents, high-risk warrants and hazardous extractions. Hobbs emphasized the vehicle’s defensive and rescue role, saying it would not be used as an “offensive tool” but rather to shield officers and aid the rescue of injured people.
City staff said the city posted the military equipment policy and the annual report online in August and held a public-input meeting on Sept. 4; Chief Hobbs reported zero public attendees at that meeting. Margaret Garcia and others in the chamber asked procedural questions about public notice and whether the city could improve outreach for future sessions.
Vice Mayor Slooten moved to approve Resolution No. 2025-32 renewing the policy; Council Member Downey seconded. The motion passed with a unanimous vote of the five council members present.
The renewed policy and annual report will remain subject to the state’s annual review requirements; staff said internal audits and policy language align the department’s use of equipment with statutory requirements and stated best practices.
