Gonzales council approves PG&E easement for freeway billboard, introduces ordinance to allow police drone purchase

At its Jan. 20 meeting, the Gonzales City Council approved Resolution No. 2026-01, authorizing the city manager to execute an easement enabling Pacific Gas & Electric Co. to provide power to a freeway-oriented billboard on city-owned property (APN 020201022000). Staff displayed technical exhibits and said the easement would place the final conduit perpendicular to existing lines and that no exterior wires would remain visible on the sign’s face. Staff told the council the project had already undergone environmental review in connection with earlier permitting and that they would add a clear CEQA exemption statement to the resolution language before the mayor’s signature. Staff expected construction to be complete by the end of the week.

A council motion to approve the resolution was made and seconded and the council voted unanimously 'aye.' The motion carried.

The council also introduced Ordinance No. 2026-156 (read by title only), which would authorize the purchase and use of an unmanned aerial system by the Gonzales Police Department. Mike Rodriguez, presenting remotely, said the system identified in the staff report is the DJI Avada 2 "Fly More" combo and that the quote from the city's vendor was $2,772.04. Rodriguez said county Supervisor Chris Lopez provided grant funding to help cover the purchase (he cited slightly different grant figures in the meeting transcript; staff later confirmed the grant amount to be $2,662), and that the department would make up the difference from its budget. Rodriguez said the drone is smaller than the department’s existing drone and can be used indoors or to assist with search-and-rescue, building security during warrant service, and similar public-safety operations.

A member of the public asked whether the drone would be used for facial recognition or flown over private property. The police chief (unnamed in the transcript) responded that the city’s military-equipment ordinance and the police drone policy (Policy 609) and the annual military-equipment report are available on the city’s website and that those documents describe permissible uses, FAA compliance and oversight by the police chief.

The council voted to introduce the ordinance and read it by title only; staff said the item will return at the first February meeting for a noticed public hearing and the second reading before any purchase.

What happens next: The easement for the billboard will be executed and staff will finalize CEQA language; the drone ordinance returns for a noticed public hearing and second reading in early February before any procurement can occur.