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Adopt a resolution approving participation in the 2024 Urban Area Security Initiative (UASI) for the period of November 1, 2024 through December 31, 2025, 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 an agreement with the City and County of San Francisco to receive $85,000 in UASI funds; Approve a fixed asset purchase of $85,000 for radio direction finders; and Approve an Appropriations Transfer Request recognizing $85,000 in unanticipated grant revenue offset by grant expenditures (4/5 vote required)
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Published Notice Required? Yes No X
Public Hearing Required? Yes No X
DEPARTMENTAL RECOMMENDATION:
1. Adopt a resolution approving participation in the 2024 Urban Area Security Initiative (UASI) for the period of November 1, 2024 through December 31, 2025, 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 an agreement with the City and County of San Francisco to receive $85,000 in UASI funds;
3. Approve a fixed asset purchase of $85,000 for radio direction finders; and
4. Approve an Appropriations Transfer Request recognizing $85,000 in unanticipated grant revenue offset by grant expenditures (4/5 vote required).
SUMMARY:
The City and County of San Francisco (San Francisco), as the fiscal agency for the San Francisco, San Jose and Oakland Urban Area Security Initiative (UASI) group, invited UASI group members to submit sub-grant proposals. To enhance the Solano County Operational Area’s ability to prevent, protect against, mitigate, respond to and recover from acts of terrorism, the Solano members identified the need to purchase radio direction finders which are necessary for emergency responses and to support the County’s interoperable communications system. The Solano Operational Area consists of the County and all its cities. After review of submissions, San Francisco notified Solano County that the County’s proposed 2024 UASI Expenditure Plan was accepted. San Francisco requires a Board resolution (Attachment A) and an executed sub-grant agreement (Attachment B) to finalize the acceptance process.
The 2024 UASI Expenditure Plan (Plan) is summarized in Attachment C and a more detailed description of the Plan follows in the Discussion section.
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
Solano County will receive and administer $85,000 in federal funds, passed through San Francisco, on behalf of the Solano Operational Area. The UASI program does not include a match provision. The Appropriations Transfer Request would increase appropriations by $85,000 to enhance the Solano Operational Area’s response to terrorism through the purchase of radio direction finders. These expenditures would be entirely offset with unanticipated grant revenue; therefore, Board approval will not impact the County General Fund. Grant expenditures may be reimbursed as they are incurred, or reimbursed on a quarterly basis, by San Francisco 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:
UASI is one program under the Homeland Security Grant Program to enhance regional preparedness in major metropolitan areas throughout the U.S. The UASI program directly supports the expansion of regional collaboration and is meant to assist participants in their creation of regional systems for prevention, protection, response, and recovery. The San Francisco Bay has been designated as one of the ten high-risk areas (Tier 1) in the U.S. As a surrounding county, Solano County is included as a Bay Area UASI regional partner and is eligible to receive funds under this program. The interoperable communications equipment will provide enhanced first responder communications throughout the operational area.
The Solano County Office of Emergency Services (OES) has developed the 2024 UASI Expenditure Plan. A detailed description of the projects is enumerated below:
Public Safety Communications Radio Direction Finders Project: $85,000 to purchase mobile radio direction-finding equipment designed for operation in all radio bands which are utilized on the Solano County multi-band Public Safety radio communications system.
The grant application was submitted and will be administered by Solano County OES.
ALTERNATIVES:
The Board of Supervisors could choose not to authorize participation in the program; however, this action is not recommended as it may negatively impact the County’s capability to respond to emergencies and disasters. Additionally, this action is not fiscally prudent as it may affect the Solano Operational Area from receiving future grant funds, funds may be redistributed to other UASI partners, and without these funds, the Sheriff’s Office does not have sufficient appropriation to carry out the activities.
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
The City and County of San Francisco is the grantor entity of the UASI funds and has prepared the grant agreement. County Counsel has reviewed and approved the agreement as to form and OES worked with the Department of Information Technology on development and selection of grant projects.
CAO RECOMMENDATION:
APPROVE DEPARTMENTAL RECOMMENDATION