REPORT/RECOMMENDATION TO THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
OF SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY FIRE PROTECTION DISTRICT
AND RECORD OF ACTION
April 29, 2025
FROM
DAN MUNSEY, Fire Chief/Fire Warden, San Bernardino County Fire Protection District
TERRY THOMPSON, Director, Real Estate Services Department
SUBJECT
Title
Non-Financial Lease Agreement with the AIBOT US Supply LLC for Storage Space
End
RECOMMENDATION(S)
Recommendation
Acting as the governing body of the San Bernardino County Fire Protection District:
1. Find that approval of the non-financial Lease Agreement with AIBOT US Supply LLC for the use of San Bernardino County Fire Protection District real property is an exempt project under the California Environmental Quality Act Guidelines, Section 15301 - Existing Facilities (Class 1).
2. Find that the non-financial Lease Agreement with the AIBOT US Supply LLC for the AIBOT US Supply LLC’s use of San Bernardino County Fire Protection District’s real property serves a San Bernardino County Fire Protection District public health and safety purpose, as the AIBOT US Supply LLC will use the real property for storage of some of its lifesaving equipment that can be used as mutual aid and is in the public interest of county residents.
3. Approve non-financial Lease Agreement with the AIBOT US Supply LLC for the AIBOT US Supply LLC’s use of approximately 1,690 square feet of Fire Station 52, located at 39059 Kathy Lane, in Newberry Springs (Assessor’s Parcel Number 0539-111-69-0000), for the period of May 1, 2025, through April 30, 2026, with a one one-year option to extend the term, at no cost.
4. Direct the Real Estate Services Department to file the Notice of Exemption in accordance with the California Environmental Quality Act.
(Presenter: Terry W. Thompson, Director, 387-5000)
Body
COUNTY AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER GOALS & OBJECTIVES
Operate in a Fiscally-Responsible and Business-Like Manner.
Provide for the Safety, Health and Social Service Needs of County Residents.
Pursue County Goals and Objectives by Working with Other Agencies and Stakeholders.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
Approval of the recommended actions will not result in the use of Discretionary General Funding (Net County Cost). There is no rent or fee charged to AIBOT US Supply LLC (AIBOT) by the San Bernardino County Fire Protection District (SBCFPD) for the use of approximately 1,690 square feet of Fire Station 52, located at 39059 Kathy Lane, in Newberry Springs (Assessor’s Parcel Number 0539-111-69-0000) (Property).
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
Approval of this Lease Agreement (Lease) will allow for AIBOT’s use of the SBCFPD building for storage of AIBOT’s drone equipment for lifesaving firefighting equipment that can be used as mutual aid. AIBOT’s drone equipment is designed to support first responder functions and the partnership between AIBOT and SBCFPD will define critical features and performance needs. This partnership benefits SBCFPD through the development of a cost-effective airborne platform that can be used for urgent situations where emergency response through normal ground borne means or via crewed airborne units may be delayed.
This new Lease with AIBOT is for an initial period of one year commencing on May 1, 2025, through April 30, 2026, with an option to extend the term for one year. The Lease will allow for AIBOT’s use of a portion of the Property for storage of drone equipment, and AIBOT’s staff shared use of restrooms and the kitchen to prepare or store food, in order to accommodate the drone program as a benefit to the residents of the county and surrounding areas.
The project to approve the Lease was reviewed pursuant to the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and determined to be categorically exempt under CEQA Guidelines Section 15301 - Existing Facilities (Class 1) because approval of a lease agreement for existing facilities is an exempt activity under CEQA. There is negligible or no expansion of existing or former use and no possibility that the leasing of the subject property will have a significant effect on the environment; therefore, the activity is exempt from the provisions of CEQA.
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Summary of Lease Terms |
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Lessee: |
AIBOT US Supply LLC Sean Cassidy, Head of Regulatory and Government Affairs |
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Location: |
39059 Kathy Lane, Newberry Springs (Fire Station 52) APN: 0539-111-69-0000 |
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Size: |
Approximately 1,690 square feet of Fire Station 52 |
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Term: |
One year |
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Options: |
One, one-year option to extend |
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Rent: |
Annual: $0 |
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Custodial: |
Provided by Lessor |
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Maintenance: |
Provided by Lessor |
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Utilities: |
Provided by Lessor |
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Insurance: |
The Certificate of Liability Insurance, as required by the Lease, is on file with the Real Estate Services Department |
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Holdover: |
Month-to-month basis upon the same provisions of the Lease |
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Right to Terminate: |
SBCFPD may terminate with 60-day notice |
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PROCUREMENT
N/A
REVIEW BY OTHERS
This item has been reviewed by County Counsel (John Tubbs II, and Rick Luczak, Deputies County Counsel, 387-5455) on March 26, 2025; San Bernardino County Fire Protection District (Bertral Washington, Deputy Fire Chief, 387-5779) on March 24, 2025; Purchasing (Ariel Gill, Supervising Buyer, 387-2070) on March 31, 2025; Finance (Ivan Ramirez, 387-4020, and Eduardo Mora, 387-4376, Administrative Analysts) on April 8, 2025; and County Finance and Administration (Paloma Hernandez-Barker, Deputy Executive Officer, 387-5423) on April 14, 2025.
(BR: 531-2674)