TITLE
Recommendation to authorize City Manager, or designee, to execute a contract and all necessary amendments, including term extensions, with the County of Los Angeles to receive and expend Department of Homeland Security grant funding for the 2018 Emergency Management Performance Grant, in an amount not to exceed $78,625, for a period ending June 30, 2019; and
Increase appropriations in the General Grants Fund (SR 120) in the Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Communications Department (DC) by $78,625, offset by grant revenue. (Citywide)
DISCUSSION
In November 1999, the City of Long Beach (City) entered into a Joint Powers Agreement with the City of Avalon and the City of Signal Hill, known as Los Angeles County Disaster Management Area F (Area F), for the purposes of promoting the coordination of disaster management planning, training and preparedness efforts with the County of Los Angeles. The City, serving as the lead agency for Area F, has received a grant award in the amount of $78,625, under the Federal Emergency Management Agency's Emergency Management Performance Grant (EMPG). These funds will be used to augment Area F preparedness, mitigation and recovery training and equipment purchases.
The Los Angeles County (County) Chief Executive Office has been named subgrantee for the County Operational Area, with the responsibility for administration of the fund and notified the City of Long Beach (City) of the grant funding availability in February 2019. To distribute the Area F share o f EMPG funds, a formal funding agreement between Area F and the County is required. This agreement will be in effect from July 1, 2018 to June 30, 2019.
This matter was reviewed by Deputy City Attorney Monica J. Kilaita on March 6, 2019 and by Budget Management Officer Rhutu Amin Gharib on March 14, 2019.
TIMING CONSIDERATIONS
City Council action is requested on April 16, 2019, to ensure the City can promptly begin to expend these grant funds on behalf of Area F.
FISCAL IMPACT
An appropriation increase in the amount of $78,625 is requested in the General Grants Fund (SR 120) in the Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Communications Department (DC). All grant expenses will be fully offset by grant reimbursement revenue. Training courses funded through this grant are not expected to require additional staff hours beyond the normal budgeted scope of duties and is consistent with existing City Council priorities.
The grant requires a 100 percent cost-match. The cost match is budgeted in the General Fund (GF) in the Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Communications Department (DC), and will be met by current City staff time already working on emergency management- related activities within the County Operational Area. As the lead agency for Area F, the City is responsible for making all purchases. Maintenance costs for any equipment acquired under this grant for use by Area F will be included as project proposals in future EMPG grants. If not funded by future grants, an alternate funding source will need to be identified for maintenance costs if the City is still in possession of the equipment. There is no local job impact associated with this recommendation.
SUGGESTED ACTION
Approve recommendation.
Respectfully Submitted,
REGINALD I. HARRISON
DIRECTOR, DISASTER PREPAREDNESS AND EMERGENCY COMMUNICATIONS
APPROVED:
PATRICK H. WEST
CITY MANAGER