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Adopt a resolution approving participation in the 2024 Homeland Security Grant Program (HSGP) for the period September 1, 2024 through May 31, 2027, affirming the grant expenditure plan and authorizing the Sheriff, Undersheriff, Director of Administrative Services, or Emergency Services Manager to take any actions necessary to obtain and administer this grant, and pending County Counsel concurrence, sign all grant related documents and any service contracts and subsequent amendments itemized in the grant expenditure plan; Approve $135,298 for Solano Operational Area joint-agency response teams and non-county agencies for training and to purchase equipment and protective gear; Approve fixed asset purchases totaling $247,098 for an automatic sandbag machine, an access control camera system, portable cellular cameras, light amplification/night vision devices, and interoperable communications equipment; and Approve an Appropriation Transfer Request recognizing $448,956 in unanticipated grant revenue offset with grant expenditures (4/5 vote required)
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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 2024 Homeland Security Grant Program (HSGP) for the period September 1, 2024 through May 31, 2027, affirming the grant expenditure plan and authorizing the Sheriff, Undersheriff, Director of Administrative Services, or Emergency Services Manager to take any actions necessary to obtain and administer this grant, and pending County Counsel concurrence, sign all grant related documents and any service contracts and subsequent amendments itemized in the grant expenditure plan;
2. Approve $135,298 for Solano Operational Area joint-agency response teams and non-county agencies for training and to purchase equipment and protective gear;
3. Approve fixed asset purchases totaling $247,098 for an automatic sandbag machine, an access control camera system, portable cellular cameras, light amplification/night vision devices, and interoperable communications equipment; and
4. Approve an Appropriation Transfer Request of $448,956 for FY2024/25 to recognize the unanticipated grant revenue offset with grant expenditures (4/5 vote required).
SUMMARY
On April 16, 2024, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) released a notification of funding availability under its 2024 Homeland Security Grant Program (HSGP) through the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS). These are federal funds allocated to the states to improve prevention and protection capabilities at the state and local levels to prevent terrorism and other catastrophic events, and to prepare for threats and hazards that pose the greatest risk to the security of the United States. States in turn may award funds to counties or their equivalent to provide a range of preparedness activities, including planning, organization, equipment purchase, training, exercises, and management and administration.
The California Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES) awards funding through a non-competitive grant process in which each California county’s allocation is included in the State’s HSGP funding announcement. Solano County’s allocation is $448,956. The application deadline is scheduled for January 31, 2025, however, is subject to change based on Federal approval. Cal OES requires a Board resolution (Attachment A) to be submitted as part of Solano County’s application to finalize the acceptance process.
The 2024 HSGP Expenditure Plan (Plan) is summarized in Attachment B and a more detailed description of the Plan is enumerated in the Discussion section of this report.
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
Solano County’s allocation is $448,956. Although the grant program does not require a match provision, it does require 35% of the total award to be allocated to Law Enforcement Terrorism Prevention-oriented activities and equipment and 30% of the total award be allocated toward six pre-identified National Priorities, with one of the six requiring three percent minimum. The Appropriations Transfer Request would increase appropriations by $448,956 to make enhancements to catastrophic incident planning, response and recovery through the purchase of necessary equipment and training. The new appropriations would be entirely offset with unanticipated grant revenue; therefore, Board approval will not impact the County General Fund. Grant expenditures will be reimbursed by Cal OES as expenses are incurred, or on a quarterly basis, and will not significantly impact the County’s cash flow.
The cost associated with preparing the agenda item is nominal and absorbed by the department’s FY2024/25 Working Budget.
DISCUSSION:
The National Preparedness Goal is for communities to be prepared for all types of disasters and emergencies, specifically to have community-wide capabilities to prevent, protect against, mitigate, respond to, and recover from the threats and hazards that pose the greater risk. The National Preparedness System outlines an organized process for everyone in a community to move forward with preparedness activities to achieve this goal. The 2024 HSGP plays an important role in the implementation of the National Preparedness System and supports it by funding activities that build, sustain, and deliver the core capabilities of Prevention, Protection, Mitigation, Response, and Recovery and National Priorities of Protection of Soft Targets, Information and Intelligence Sharing, Cybersecurity, Domestic Violent Extremism, Community Preparedness, and Election Security. California’s HSGP administers funds to focus on improving prevention and protection capabilities at the state and local levels.
As part of the State’s process for submission of the State’s grant application to DHS, Cal OES solicits pre-application information and expenditure plans from California counties prior to FEMA’s funding announcement. The 2024 HSGP Expenditure Plan was developed in consultation with the Solano HSGP Approval Authority Body composed of the Solano County Sheriff, Solano County Public Health Officer, City of Vacaville Fire Chief, Suisun Fire Protection District Fire Chief, and the City of Suisun City Police Chief. Members of the Approval Authority Body are selected by the Police and Fire Chief’s Association. A detailed description of the Plan is enumerated below:
Interoperable Communications Equipment: $48,621 to purchase a radio direction finder. The County is financially responsible for the repair or replacement costs necessary to maintain the equipment.
HazMat Training: $77,774 to provide hazard materials training for the joint-agency HazMat Team personnel. This project supports the National Priority to enhance the protection of soft targets and/or crowded places.
Automatic Sandbag Machine: $49,961 to purchase an automatic sandbag machine. This machine will support volunteer and community efforts to rapidly deploy sandbags to mitigate hazards throughout the County. The County is financially responsible for the repair or replacement costs necessary to maintain the equipment. This project supports the National Priority to enhance community preparedness.
Cellular Camera Equipment: $13,469 to purchase cellular cameras for the Office of Emergency Services. The Office of Emergency Services supports all-hazards response capabilities throughout the County. The County is financially responsible for the repair or replacement costs necessary to maintain the equipment. This project supports the National Priority to enhance election security.
Automatic License Plate Reader Systems (ALPR): $13,469 to install fixed ALPR systems. Maintenance costs are included in the monthly subscription services to the systems. This equipment supports the National Priority to enhance information and intelligence sharing and cooperation with federal agencies by sharing information with the fusion center.
Response Teams Personal Protective Equipment: $133,241 to provide personal protective equipment to Sheriff’s Office response teams. The teams support all-hazards response capabilities throughout the County.
Mobile Surveillance Trailer: $57,524 to purchase a mobile surveillance trailer equipment with real-time monitoring and intelligence gathering for Vacaville Police Department.
Access Control Camera System: $10,750 to purchase an upgraded access control camera system for the County Emergency Operations Center (EOC). The EOC supports all-hazards response capabilities throughout the County.
Staffing: $22,448 to fund an extra-help part-time position to develop and implement a public awareness and training campaign focused on combating domestic violent extremism. This project supports the National Priority to combat domestic violent extremism.
Management and Administration: $21,699 to offset salary and benefits costs for the Sheriff’s Office Accountant performing grant administration activities.
The Solano County Office of Emergency Services will manage and coordinate the program projects including a reallocation of certain expenses to meet the needs of specific projects.
ALTERNATIVES:
The Board of Supervisors could choose not to authorize participation in the program; however, this alternative is not recommended as non-participation may negatively impact the County’s preparedness to secure the Solano Operational Area. Additionally, this alternative is not fiscally prudent as funds would be redistributed to other counties and without the funds, the Sheriff’s Office would not have sufficient appropriations to carry out the activities.
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
The Approval Authority Body within the Solano Operational Area approved the proposed application and expenditure plan. The Solano Operational Area, which includes the entire County, is represented by the Solano County Sheriff, Solano County Public Health Officer, city police departments, city fire departments, and local fire protection districts.
CAO RECOMMENDATION:
APPROVE DEPARTMENTAL RECOMMENDATION