TITLE
Recommendation to authorize City Manager 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 2013 State Homeland Security Grant Program, in an amount not to exceed $543,089 for a period ending March 30, 2015; and
Increase appropriations in the General Grants Fund (SR 120) in the Department of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Communications (DC) by $15,000 and in the General Grants Fund (SR 120) in the Fire Department (FD) by $528,089. (Citywide)
DISCUSSION
The State Homeland Security Grant Program (SHSGP) provides funding to enhance the capability of local agencies to prevent, respond to and recover from threats or acts of terrorism. The SHSGP grant is awarded by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Federal Emergency Management Agency via the California Governor's Office of Emergency Services. The Los Angeles County Chief Executive Office provides regional administration of the SHSGP grant. City Council authorization is required to accept the grant funds, execute a contract and necessary amendments, and increase appropriations in the General Grants Fund. This contract will be in effect from September 1, 2013 to March 31, 2015.
The City of Long Beach has been a recipient of SHSGP funding since 2003. The funding has been used to enhance the response capabilities of the City of Long Beach by providing funding for training, exercises and equipment. The SHSGP 2013 grant in an amount of $543,089 continues implementation of the program. Specifically, the funding will be used to facilitate the procurement of digital message displays for use throughout the City's Emergency Communications and Operations Center and to fund the coordination and delivery of regional first responder training and exercising in Fire Ground Survival, Urban Search and Rescue, and Hazardous Materials Response.
This matter was reviewed by Deputy City Attorney Kendra Carney on October 8, 2014 and Budget Officer Victoria Bell on September 25, 2014.
TIMING CONSIDERATIONS
City Council action on this matter is requested on November 11, 2014, to ensure the City can expend these funds within the performance period of the grant.
FISCAL IMPACT
As these funds are not budgeted, an appropriation increase in the amount of $543,089 is included in the recommendation and as noted below:
Department Fund Total
Disaster Preparedness (DC) General Grants (SR 120) $ 15,000
Fire (FD) General Grants (SR 120) $528,089
Total $ 543,089
All grant expenses will be fully offset by grant reimbursement revenue and there are no matching funds required. There is no local job impact associated with this recommendation.
SUGGESTED ACTION
Approve recommendation.
Respectfully Submitted,
REGINALD HARRISON
DEPUTY CITY MANAGER
MICHAEL DUREE
FIRE CHIEF
APPROVED:
PATRICK H. WEST
CITY MANAGER