The San Angelo City Council voted to allow the Police Department’s application for a new drone to combat auto thefts.
The resolution allows SAPD apply for a $160,755 grant from the Texas Motor Vehicle Crime Prevention Authority. If awarded, the funds will support the purchase of a surveillance drone and expand the department’s license plate reader program to help curb catalytic converter theft and related crimes.
The grant will support the addition of a drone to the San Angelo Police Department’s existing FLOCK system, which currently relies on license plate reader cameras to identify stolen vehicles and track suspects. The drone will also work in tandem with the Narcotics Task Force to enhance surveillance efforts by providing real-time aerial support during active incidents.
According to Flock Safety, the drone system is capable of responding to calls in about 85 seconds, cutting response times by 71 percent and resolving 20 percent of incidents without the need for patrol officer involvement. Additionally, the system contributes to an 89-percent increase in identifying both suspects and vehicles.
The grant will cover 80 percent of the project cost, with the city contributing $26,793 as a required match.
Staff Wants to Spend $62K in Seized Funds on Police Needs
City staff presented a report to the council outlining the use of $62,213.20 in State/Local Seizure funds for Fiscal Year 2024–2025. The funds supported new infrastructure and technology for the San Angelo Police Department’s Narcotics Task Force building, DNA testing of shell casings, and the purchase of rifle-resistant plates and bulletproof vests.
According to the meeting packet, these expenditures follow guidelines established in Chapter 59 of the Texas Code of Criminal Procedure and do not impact the city’s general fund.
DEA Narcan Donation Approved
Council approved the acceptance of 240 units of Narcan (Naloxone) from the Drug Enforcement Administration via the Texas Department of Public Safety. The donation, valued at approximately $10,800, comes at no cost to the city and will help replenish the Police Department’s supply of the life-saving medication.
Narcan is used to reverse opioid overdoses and will be distributed to patrol units to support emergency response efforts.
In Other Business
Council Approves Access for Groundwater Monitoring Around GAFB
The City Council on Tuesday approved an access agreement with the United States government to allow continued groundwater monitoring on city right-of-way and city-owned land near Goodfellow Air Force Base. The new agreement renews a previously approved 2022 deal that permitted the installation of six monitoring wells and two bore sample sites.
The ongoing monitoring efforts are part of a federal initiative to track groundwater quality in the area. With the approval, the City Manager is authorized to negotiate and execute all related documents.
Pipeline Easement Approved for Waterline Replacement Project
The Council approved a $2,350 miscellaneous pipeline easement to allow the construction and maintenance of a 20-inch casing housing a new 12-inch waterline. The line will run beneath the North Concho River at the Edmund Boulevard and West 29th Street bridge, replacing an aging 8-inch asbestos cement water main.
The easement, obtained from the Texas General Land Office, is required to meet current utility crossing regulations. The project is scheduled as part of the 2025 Glenna Street/Edmund Blvd./W. 29th St. Utility Improvements.
Engineering Task Order to Improve Flood Access Near Butler Farms
Council members approved Task Order #5 with SKG Engineering, LLC for $106,200 to design roadway improvements along Foster Road and River Valley Lane. The upgrades aim to bring Foster Road up to future arterial standards and provide a secondary access point for Butler Farms residents, whose only current access point is prone to flooding.
The extension of River Valley Lane to Wolf Creek Drive will also improve emergency access and bolster future grant applications for hazard mitigation funding.
Final Change Order Approved for Hickory Expansion Project
The City Council approved Change Order #4 with PLW Waterworks, finalizing the Hickory Expansion Project. The change order adds $95,029.89 to the contract, bringing the total to $53.1 million and extending the project deadline by 55 days.
The Hickory Expansion Project includes expanding the Hickory Well Field, constructing two new clearwells, and upgrading the groundwater treatment facility.
Budget Amendment Supports Final Hickory Project Expenses
To accommodate the cost increase from Change Order #4, Council also approved a budget amendment to the itemized Texas Water Development Board (TWDB) funding. The adjustment will help fund the final project expenses and required testing from the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ), using TWDB’s low-interest loan program.
