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 Department of Homeland Security grant funding for the 2014 Urban Area Security Initiatives Grant, in an amount not to exceed $5,489,507 for a period ending May 31, 2016; and
Increase appropriations in the General Grants Fund (SR 120) in the Department of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Communications (DC) by $390,000, in the General Grants Fund (SR 120) in the Fire Department (FD) by $1,818,507, in the General Grants Fund (SR 120) in the Health and Human Services Department (HE) by $315,000, and in the General Grants Fund (SR 120) in the Police Department (PD) by $1,933,500. (Citywide)
DISCUSSION
The City of Long Beach has received grant funding from the Department of Homeland Security under the Urban Area Security Initiative (UASI) program since 2003. Until 2006, the City of Long Beach was the lead city for the Long Beach UASI, a regional partnership of eight cities and the County of Los Angeles. As the lead city, Long Beach was the recipient of the grant funds and administered the funds on behalf of the other cities in the Long Beach UASI. Beginning in 2006, the Department of Homeland Security combined the Long Beach UASI and the Los Angeles UASI to form the Los Angeles-Long Beach UASI. As the largest city in the region, the City of Los Angeles was named the grant awardee, with the responsibility for administration of the funds.
In order to distribute the City of Long Beach's share of UASI funds, the City of Los Angeles requires a formal funding agreement between the two cities. This agreement will be in effect from September 1, 2014 to May 31, 2016. Long Beach will receive $5,489,507 to use for homeland security purposes, which includes $90,000 to administer the Long Beach portion of the grant.
These funds will be used by various departments to support ongoing public safety training and exercises, upgrades to GIS and information sharing systems, emergency operation plans, Community Emergency Response Training (CERT) equipment, a mass notification system, an emergency fuel truck, as well as additional mass care sheltering supplies for citizens.
This matter was reviewed by Deputy City Attorney Kendra Carney on February 26, 2015 and by Budget Officer Victoria Bell on February 27, 2015.
TIMING CONSIDERATIONS
City Council action on this matter is requested on March 17, 2015, to ensure the City can promptly begin to expend these grant funds.
FISCAL IMPACT
As these funds are not budgeted, an appropriation increase in the amount of $5,489,507 is included in the recommendation and as noted below:
Department Fund Total
Disaster Preparedness (DC) General Grants (SR 120) $390,000
Fire (FD) General Grants (SR 120) $1,818,507
Health and Human Svcs (HE) General Grants (SR 120) $315,000
Police (PD) General Grants (SR 120) $1,933,500
Total $4,457,007
The Harbor Department will receive the remaining $1,032,500 of the 2014 UASI grant. As there is sufficient appropriation in the Harbor Fund (HR) and in the Harbor Department (HA), no appropriation increase is necessary.
All grant expenses will be fully offset by grant reimbursement revenue and there are no matching funds required. Future maintenance costs for the vehicles and equipment acquired under this grant will be included as project proposals in future UASI grants. If maintenance costs are not covered in future grants, a funding source for these costs will need to be identified by the acquiring departments. Future replacement of the equipment may become necessary. If, at that time, it is determined prudent to replace the equipment, the City will seek grant funds for that purpose. There is no local job impact associated with this recommendation.
SUGGESTED ACTION
Approve recommendation.
Respectfully Submitted,
REGINALD HARRISON
DIRECTOR, DISASTER PREPAREDNESS AND EMERGENCY COMMUNICATIONS
KELLY COLOPY
DIRECTOR, HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
MICHAEL A. DUREE
FIRE CHIEF
ROBERT LUNA
CHIEF OF POLICE
APPROVED:
PATRICK H. WEST
CITY MANAGER