title
Adopt a resolution approving participation in the California Department of Parks and Recreation, Division of Boating and Waterways FY2024/25 California Boating Safety and Enforcement Equipment Grant Program; Delegate Authority to the Sheriff, Undersheriff, and the Director of Administrative Services to sign the grant award agreement and any associated amendments, operational contracts, or reimbursement claims that remain within the grant budget; and Approve a $72,105 Appropriation Transfer Request to recognize unanticipated revenue from the Boating Safety and Enforcement Grant offset with appropriations to purchase capital asset boating safety and law enforcement equipment (4/5 vote required)
body
Published Notice Required? Yes ___ No _X _
Public Hearing Required? Yes ___ No _X _
DEPARTMENTAL RECOMMENDATION:
The Sheriff recommends that the Board of Supervisors:
1. Adopt a resolution approving participation in the California Department of Parks and Recreation, Division of Boating and Waterways FY2024/25 California Boating Safety and Enforcement Equipment Grant Program;
2. Delegate Authority to the Sheriff, Undersheriff, and the Director of Administrative Services to sign the grant award agreement and any associated amendments, operational contracts, or reimbursement claims that remain within the grant budget; and
3. Approve a $72,105 Appropriation Transfer Request to recognize unanticipated revenue from the Boating Safety and Enforcement Grant offset with appropriations to purchase capital asset boating safety and law enforcement equipment (4/5 vote required).
SUMMARY:
The Sheriff’s Marine Patrol provides maritime law enforcement and public safety resources to recreational boaters and commercial vessels operating on and adjacent to the 150 miles of navigable waterways within the jurisdiction of Solano County. A 2007 28-foot Almar patrol vessel (M-28) and a 2013 29-foot SAFE Boat (M-29) are two of the four vessels operated by Marine Patrol used for boating safety enforcement, general public safety response, search and rescue efforts, and port security in the Delta Bay area regions.
The Sheriff’s Office needs to replace an outdated maritime electronics systems on M-28 and M-29 and equip M-28 with thermal imaging capability. In April 2024, the Sheriff’s Office submitted an online competitive grant application to the California Department of Parks and Recreation, Division of Boating and Waterways (DBW) for participation in the FY2024/25 California Boating Safety and Enforcement Equipment Grant Program (BSEE) to fund these purchases.
On September 5, 2024, the DBW notified the Sheriff’s Office that it was selected to receive $72,105 to purchase and install two new maritime electronics systems on M-28 and M-29, to remove the equipment being replaced, and to purchase and install one new thermal imaging camera in M-28. The DBW requires a Board-certified resolution be submitted with Solano County’s grant award agreement to finalize the acceptance process.
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
The BSEE grant requires the Sheriff’s Office to expend the award of $72,105 to purchase two new maritime electronics suites and one new thermal imaging camera by September 30, 2025 and to maintain and utilize the equipment through September 20, 2032. The BSEE does not include a match provision; therefore, there will be no impact to the County General Fund. The Sheriff’s Office has informally solicited a proposal for the equipment and the grant amount is sufficient to cover the purchase, installation, and removal costs. Upon approval of the grant award agreement the Sheriff’s Office will work General Services - Central Services to procure the equipment.
An Appropriations Transfer Request (ATR) to recognize the unanticipated grant revenue offset by appropriations for the purchase and installation of one new maritime electronics suite and one new thermal imaging camera for M-28 and one new maritime electronics suite for M-29 to include the removal of the existing electronics suites from each vessel. Grant expenditures will be reimbursed upon successful completion of the grant purchase. The Sheriff’s Office will maintain the equipment and absorb any future maintenance and repair costs that occur.
The cost associated with preparing the agenda item is nominal and absorbed by the department’s FY2024/25 Working Budget.
DISCUSSION:
The BSEE grant funds are apportioned to states under the Federal Recreational Boating Safety Grant. In accordance with Title 14, section 6594.1 of the California Government Code of Regulations, enacted in 2003, and through the California’s Law Enforcement Safety and Enforcement Equipment grant, the DBW provides BSEE grant awards to local government agencies to purchase boating safety and law enforcement equipment through the State’s Law Enforcement Equipment Grant Program.
In FY2024/25 the Sheriff’s Office has been awarded $72,105 in BSEE grant funds to purchase one Raymarine navigation/electronics suite and one thermal imaging camera for the 2007 28-foot Almar patrol vessel (M-28), and one Raymarine navigation/electronics suite for the 2013 29-foot SAFE Boat (M-29). Currently M-28 lacks a thermal imaging camera, and its 2013 electronic system is obsolete and M-29’s 2017 electronic system is nearing end of life. The new electronic systems and thermal imaging camera will add the following features to each vessel: modernized radar, side-scan/ down-scan sonar, forward-looking infrared camera (FLIR), updated navigational charts, modernized VHF marine band radios, and dual chart plotters for each vessel. These features will improve Marine Patrol’s ability to conduct underwater searches, detect criminal activity, efficiently and safely navigate waterways and increase the safety of deputies and the public while operating during inclement environmental conditions.
Deputies patrol the waterways seven days per week and are on call 24 hours per day to respond to emergency situations and provide boating safety, law enforcement, and search and rescue services. In the last calendar year Marine Patrol Deputies conducted 56 separate search and rescue missions for vessels and persons that were lost, disabled, or involved in an accident. The Sheriff’s Office must maintain its marine vessels to ensure preparedness.
In the previous three grant cycles, Marine Patrol secured grant funding for the purchase of a new shallow-draft vessel with a new thermal camera and two new replacement motors for M-29. On July 16, 2024 the Solano County Sheriff’s Office proudly took delivery of a new shallow draft vessel funded primarily by the 2021 Boating Safety and Enforcement Equipment Grant. This state-of-the-art vessel has already played a crucial role in resolving three critical incidents that previous equipment could not have effectively address, including the prompt recovery of a drowning victim.
Solano County’s participation in BSEE over the years has significantly enhanced Marine Patrol’s effectiveness to provide public safety and resources to recreational boaters and commercial vessel operating on the 150 miles of navigable waterways of Solano County.
ALTERNATIVES:
The Board can choose not to participate in this grant program; however, this alternative is not recommended as nonparticipation will result in the loss of $72,105 in grant funding that would be used to repair and preserve one of Solano County’s patrol vessels needed for Marine Patrol to safeguard and rescue citizens on the County waterways. Moreover, the grant funding will be obligated to other Counties and no longer available to Solano County.
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
The Sheriff’s Office will work with General Services - Central Services to procure the equipment.
CAO RECOMMENDATION:
APPROVE DEPARTMENTAL RECOMMENDATION