Herington, KS Drone Documents
| Submitted | July 6, 2012 |
| Est. Completion | None |
MuckRock users can file, duplicate, track, and share public records requests like this one. Learn more.
Communications
From: Drone Watch
To Whom It May Concern:
Pursuant to the Kansas Open Records Act (K.S.A. 45-215), I hereby request all records (including, but not limited to, electronic records) maintained by this department and its officers, employees, and agents discussing, concerning, or reflecting:
1. any requests for proposals, proposals submitted by vendors, contracts, budgets or cost allocations for the purchase and/or use of aerial drones, UAs, UAVs, and UASs (hereinafter “drones”);
2. any policies, guidelines, manuals and/or instructions on department use of drones, including on the legal process required (such as a warrant or court order), if any, before operating a drone;
3. any departmental records concerning this department’s use of drones now or plans to use drones in the future including:
a. the types of investigations or instances in which this department is using or plans to use drones, or how it plans to support, manage or oversee the usage of drones by another department or office;
b. policies, guidelines, manuals and/or instructions on storage requirements or procedures for video or static images obtained through use of drones, including retention times;
c. the altitude at which drones can or do fly;
d. drones’ ability to carry weapons.
I also request that, if appropriate, fees be waived as I believe this request is in the public interest. The requested documents will be made available to the general public free of charge as part of the public information service at MuckRock.com, processed by a representative of the news media/press and is made in the process of news gathering and not for commercial usage.
In the event that fees cannot be waived, I would be grateful if you would inform me of the total charges in advance of fulfilling my request. I would prefer the request filled electronically, by e-mail attachment if available or CD-ROM if not.
Thank you in advance for your anticipated cooperation in this matter. I look forward to receiving your response to this request within 3 business days, as the statute requires.
Sincerely,
Michael Morisy
From: MuckRock.com
To Whom It May Concern:
I wanted to follow up on the following Freedom of Information request, copied below, and originally submitted on July 6, 2012. Please let me know when I can expect to receive a response, or if further clarification is needed.
Thank you for your help.
From: MuckRock.com
To Whom It May Concern:
I wanted to follow up on the following Freedom of Information request, copied below, and originally submitted on July 6, 2012. Please let me know when I can expect to receive a response, or if further clarification is needed.
Thank you for your help.
From: MuckRock.com
To Whom It May Concern:
I wanted to follow up on the following Freedom of Information request, copied below, and originally submitted on July 6, 2012. Please let me know when I can expect to receive a response, or if further clarification is needed.
Thank you for your help.
From: MuckRock.com
To Whom It May Concern:
I wanted to follow up on the following Freedom of Information request, copied below, and originally submitted on July 6, 2012. Please let me know when I can expect to receive a response, or if further clarification is needed.
Thank you for your help.
From: Ron
Michael Morisy;
I have been forwarded this email today and have looked back at my emails and
did not receive any of the others. In response to your questions I offer
the following.
The City of Herington wanted to stimulate the economy here in our small
Kansas town. The city owns an old WWII airport and we managed to get
funding for a new runway. But still no interest to set up any kind of
industrial or commercial business. In 2006 the city was approached by and
ex Army person who knows a lot about the UAV world. We worked to get the
City selected by USSOCOM to be the primary training site for a fleet of
CQ-10A's purchased by USSOCOM PSYOP Groups. When the program was cancelled
the City coordinated with the State of Kansas to acquire three (3) UAV's
(CQ-10A) for hopefully reconfiguration to Homeland Security missions with
Radiological, Chemical, Biological sensors, re-establish dial 911 emergency
cell phone relay and any other use the units could be fitted to perform.
The city was approached to set up a UAV park for some economic stimulus.
Going through the processes the City of Herington acquired from the KSNG
three (3) of them (UAV'S) at one time. At no cost to the taxpayer. Upon
receiving the units we applied for and was approved for a COA. This process
took over a four year period. At that time I believe the City of Herington
was the only city to have such a COA.
As the units the City acquired were not in a flight readiness status when
delivered, the City of Herington never flew them while in our short time of
possession. The City had no budget or contract with a company to fly.
However one unit was shipped back to the Canadian company that originally
built them so we could get one to fly and hopefully contract with a research
company to fly their black boxes. Never happened. Before and even before
the company could get started on the rebuilding of the unit the CQ-10A were
called in by the Federal Government. The units were put on some security
list and needed to be sent back. Phone call one day and picked up the next.
The City put a stop order on the unit in Canada and had it shipped back
unfixed. The Kansas National Guard took possession and we never seen them
since. But, the City does have a COA with not bird to fly.
I know this is a long explanation, but this is the way it happened. So
disappointed. However the City still has a COA with the restricted air
space and hoping it can generate some UAV business for the HUFF, (Herington
Unmanned Flight Facility). We would even fly kites.
This is the long and short of our big dream in the UAV world, hope it helps.
If you have specific questions, don't hesitate to call me.
Files
There are no files associated with this request.