TITLE
Recommendation to authorize City Manager, or designee, to execute a contract and all necessary documents, including any necessary subsequent amendments, with the County of Los Angeles to receive and expend Department of Homeland Security grant funding for the 2021 Emergency Management Performance Grant-American Rescue Plan Act, in an amount not to exceed $4,880, for a period of July 1, 2021 through June 30, 2023; and
Increase appropriations in the General Grants Fund Group in the Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Communications Department by $4,880, 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 $4,880, under the 2021 Federal Emergency Management Agency’s Emergency Management Performance Grant-American Rescue Plan Act Grant (EMPG-ARPA). These funds will be used to provide support for Area F emergency management activities, preparedness, response, recovery, and mitigation efforts.
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 the grant funding availability. To distribute the Area F share of EMPG funds, a formal funding agreement between Area F and the County is required. This agreement will be in effect from July 1, 2021 to June 30, 2023.
This matter was reviewed by Deputy City Attorney Arturo D. Sanchez on September 21, 2022 and by Budget Management Officer Nader Kaamoush on September 27, 2022.
TIMING CONSIDERATIONS
City Council action is requested on October 18, 2022, to ensure the City can promptly expend these grant funds on behalf of Area F.
FISCAL IMPACT
An appropriation increase in the amount of $4,880 is requested in the General Grants Fund Group in the Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Communications Department (DPEC). All grant expenses will be fully offset by grant reimbursement revenue.
The grant requires a dollar for dollar match which can be achieved through in-kind or cash match. The in-kind match offered by DPEC is budgeted in the General Fund Group in personnel funds associated with a 1.0 FTE, a Disaster Preparedness Officer who is dedicated to emergency management-related activities within Area F and serves as project manager for all EMPG-ARPA projects in the DPEC. 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-ARPA 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. This recommendation has no staffing impact beyond the normal budgeted scope of duties and is consistent with existing City Council priorities. There is no fiscal or local job impact associated with this recommendation.
SUGGESTED ACTION
Approve recommendation.
Respectfully Submitted,
REGINALD I. HARRISON
DIRECTOR, DISASTER PREPAREDNESS
AND EMERGENCY COMMUNICATIONS
APPROVED:
THOMAS B. MODICA
CITY MANAGER