TITLE
Recommendation to authorize City Manager to execute a contract and all necessary amendments, including term extensions, with the City of Los Angeles to receive and expend additional Department of Homeland Security grant funding for the 2008 Port Security Grant Program, in an amount not to exceed $367,900 through September 30, 2012; and increase appropriations in the General Grants Fund (SR 120) in the Police Department (PD) by $367,900. (Citywide)
DISCUSSION
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has approved the Long Beach Police Department's proposal for additional grant funds that recently became available through the 2008 Port Security Grant Program (PSGP). The Area Maritime Security Committee, under the leadership of the United States Coast Guard Section Los Angeles/Long Beach (Coast Guard), confirmed these projects as being essential to ensure the safety and security of the nation's busiest port complex.
The Coast Guard has appointed the City of Los Angeles as fiscal agent for the distribution of these funds, requiring an amendment to the formal funding agreement between the City of Los Angeles and City of Long Beach. This amendment in the amount of $275,925, in addition to the $4,346,342 approved by Council on September 6, 2011, will be in effect through the grant end date of September 30, 2012. These additional funds will be used to purchase tactical and emergency response equipment, including personal ear microphone radio equipment to improve interoperable communications, video cameras for sharing information, and incident management computers and video monitors. This equipment reflects DHS's overall investment strategy, of which two priorities have been paramount: risk-based funding and regional security cooperation. These PSGP funds support increased portwide risk management; enhanced maritime domain awareness; training and exercises; and further capabilities to prevent, detect, respond to and recover from attacks involving improvised explosive devices (IEDs) and other non-conventional weapons.
In addition, the enhanced capabilities provided by these projects offer significant benefits throughout the City and the region by improving the daily emergency response capabilities and the crime prevention and apprehension abilities of the Police Department.
The Port of Long Beach has agreed to provide the federally required twenty-five percent (25%) match of $91 ,975 for this additional funding from monies received by the Port from the FY2008 California Ports and Maritime Security Grant Program (CPMSGP) as authorized by California Proposition 1 B in 2006.
This matter was reviewed by Deputy City Attorney Gary Anderson on February 29,2012 and Budget and Performance Management Bureau Manager Dennis Strachota on March 1, 2012.
TIMING CONSIDERATIONS
City Council action on this matter is requested on March 13, 2012, to ensure the City can promptly begin to expend these grant funds prior to the CPMSGP grant end date of March 31,2012.
FISCAL IMPACT
The additional 2008 PSGP Grant funds of $367,900 will be funded by $275,925 from Federal grant revenues to offset 75 percent of program expenses, and with the 25 percent cost share portion of $91,975 to be provided by the Port of Long Beach, through their existing FY2008 California Ports and Maritime Security Grant Program.
The maintenance costs for the equipment acquired under this grant will be covered by future PSGP Grants. A project proposal for maintenance funds for equipment to be purchased under this 2008 PSGP Grant has been approved for the 2011 PSGP Grant (which has no match requirement).
As these funds are not budgeted, an appropriation increase for the Police Department (PD) in the General Grants Fund (SR 120) in the amount of $367,900 is included in the recommendation. There is no impact to the General Fund and no local job impact.
SUGGESTED ACTION
Approve recommendation.
Respectfully Submitted,
JIM McDONNELL
CHIEF OF POLICE
APPROVED:
PATRICK H. WEST
CITY MANAGER