For City Council Meeting February 24, 2026
TO: Honorable Mayor and City Council
FROM: Tanya Williams, City Manager
AUTHOR: Mark P. Kling, Chief of Police
Title
Request City Council to: (1) Authorize the Purchase of a Spot Robot Including Hardware, On-site Training, Software, and Warranty From FLYMOTION, LLC, for an Amount Not-to-Exceed $380,255.82; and, (2) Authorize the City Manager or Their Designee to Execute all Related Documents.
(ACTION)
Body
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends that the City Council:
1) Authorize the payment to FLYMOTION, LLC for an amount not to exceed $380,255.82; and,
2) Authorize the City Manager or their designee to execute all related documents.
BACKGROUND
Spot is an unmanned quadruped ground vehicle built by Boston Dynamics. It is outfitted by FLYMOTION, LLC of Tampa, Florida, with the specific purpose to serve as a law enforcement tool. The public safety package offered by FLYMOTION offers police officers unparalleled safety, preventing the need to insert police officers into dangerous situations.
ANALYSIS/DISCUSSION
Police officers frequently encounter dangerous situations in the line of duty and are often required to confront threats while at a tactical disadvantage. Staff have discovered that the Spot robot easily overcomes many tactical disadvantages commonly found in critical incidents. The ability to insert the Spot robot into dangerous situations significantly decreases the risk of injury to police officers, innocent bystanders, and persons engaging in violent criminal behavior. Spot provides enhanced safety and situational awareness during many of the critical incidents police officers encounter, including active shooter incidents, barricaded subject stand-offs, hostage situations, hazardous material incidents, natural disasters, potentially explosive suspicious packages, interior searches, search and rescue operations, and more.
The FLYMOTION public safety package enhances the Boston Dynamics Spot robot by adding a 30x optical zoom pan-tilt-zoom camera with thermal capability, high sensitivity microphones and speakers for two-way communication capabilities, a robotic arm capable of opening doors and delivering and retrieving items, enhanced radio capabilities for extended range operations, and the ability to remotely deploy both chemical agents and light/sound diversionary devices. Spot can ascend and descend stairs and other difficult terrain, righting itself if pushed onto its side, illuminating dark areas, recording video, and communicating with potentially dangerous subjects. It can also distract individuals using chemical agents or flashbang munitions, deliver items such as water, first aid supplies, or cell phones, and recover firearms or other weapons.
Spot significantly decreases the likelihood of injury and mitigates risks associated with current practices of engaging with violent subjects. For example, the use of an apprehension police canine or a team of police officers may result in injuries to a suspect, followed by the potential of civil litigation. The increased safety and situational awareness offered by Spot reduces risk through the ability to negotiate with the suspect and work toward a peaceful resolution from a safe distance.
The FLYMOTION purchase agreement also includes four days of on-site operator training, a 12-month warranty, and a 24-month maintenance plan.
FLYMOTION has been awarded a Sourcewell cooperative purchasing contract (011223-FLM). Sourcewell contracts allow agencies to purchase products and services under pre-negotiated terms and pricing, simplifying the standard purchasing process. A copy of the Sourcewell contract is included as Attachment 2.
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT
The proposed action does not meet the definition of a project as defined by the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). Pursuant to Section 15378(a), a “Project” means the whole of an action, which has a potential for resulting in either a direct physical change in the environment, or a reasonably foreseeable indirect physical change in the environment. According to Section 15378(b), a Project does not include (5) Organization or administrative activities of governments that will not result in direct or indirect physical changes in the environment.
GENERAL PLAN CONSISTENCY
This action is consistent with the City of Rialto's General Plan Guiding Principle 1, Rialto is a Family First Community. “Our neighborhoods will be a safe place to call home.”
Approval of this action also complies with the City of Rialto General Plan Goals and Policies:
Goal 5-8: Provide effective and comprehensive policing services that meet the safety needs of Rialto.
Policy 5-8.4: Initiate proactive crime suppression and prevention strategies throughout the community.
LEGAL REVIEW
The City Attorney's Office has reviewed this staff report.
FINANCIAL IMPACTS
Operating Budget Impact
The FY2026 budget includes $380,255.82 in Asset Forfeiture funding available in Accounts 22196092-53030 and 22196092-52022. These funds, provided by the United States Department of the Treasury from seized property proceeds, may be used solely for law enforcement purposes.
Capital Improvement Budget Impact
There is no impact on the Capital Improvement Budget.
Licensing
FLYMOTION will be conducting on-site training for police personnel. Therefore, a city business license is required.
ATTACHMENTS
1. FLYMOTION Spot Quote
2. FLYMOTION Sourcewell Contract
3. FLYMOTION W-9
4. Conflict of Interest
5. Certificate of Liability Insurance