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Approve an amendment with the City and County of San Francisco to increase the 2018 UASI grant award by $368,209, totaling $423,700, in accordance with the Department of Homeland Security Urban Area Security Initiative for the period of November 1, 2018 through February 28, 2020; Authorize the County Administrator to execute the amendment; Approve an Appropriations Transfer Request (ATR) for the additional $368,209 in unanticipated grant revenue and related appropriations (4/5 vote required); Approve the fixed asset purchase of microwave equipment for $165,000 and $203,209 to conduct training and exercise projects; and Adopt a resolution under the 2018 Urban Area Security Initiative authorizing the Sheriff and his designees to take action necessary to accept and administer this grant and to sign associated modifications, contracts and reimbursement forms
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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. Approve an amendment with the City and County of San Francisco to increase the 2018 UASI grant award by $368,209, award totaling $423,700, in accordance with the Department of Homeland Security Urban Area Security Initiative for the period of November 1, 2018 through February 28, 2020;
2. Authorize the County Administrator to execute the amendment;
3. Approve an Appropriations Transfer Request for the additional $368,209 in unanticipated grant revenue and related appropriations to enhance the ability to improve regional interoperable communications and prevent, protect, respond to and recover from terrorist activity in the Solano Operational Area (4/5 vote required);
4. Approve the fixed asset purchase of microwave equipment for $165,000 and $203,209 to conduct training and exercise projects.
5. Adopt a resolution under the 2018 Urban Area Security initiative authorizing the Sheriff and his designees to take the action necessary to accept and administer this grant and to sign associated modifications, contracts and reimbursement forms.
SUMMARY:
Changes to the San Francisco, San Jose and Oakland Urban Area Security Initiative (UASI) 2018 Grant distribution formula have recently made additional funding available to Solano County for a Communications Microwave System upgrade ($165,000) and training and exercise projects to support the County’s prevention, protection, response and recovery from acts of terrorism ($203,209). The microwave project is compatible and necessary for the completion of a county-wide interoperable radio communications project. The equipment purchased will provide a high capacity data link to tower sites in the county including a new tower on the County Fairgrounds property in Vallejo. The training and exercise funds will be used to conduct required Emergency Operations Center position-specific, Incident Command System (ICS) and other emergency response related training for county and city personnel.
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
In FY2018/19 Solano County will receive and administer $423,700 in federal funds, passed through the City and County of San Francisco, on behalf of the Solano Operational Area. The UASI program does not include a match provision. The additional grant funds made available are sufficient to purchase and install microwave equipment and provide extensive emergency response related training and the additional appropriations are entirely offset with unanticipated grant revenue; therefore, Board approval will not impact the County General Fund. Project 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.
DISCUSSION:
On February 26, 2019, the Board of Supervisors approved the UASI agreement, ATR and fixed asset purchases of $55,491 for an Infrared Camera System and a Centrifuge. The City and County of San Francisco are now modifying the agreement and increasing Solano County’s award amount to $423,700 to enhance regional preparedness in Solano’s Operational Area. The UASI program directly supports expanding 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 microwave equipment will provide a high-speed data link to all first responder radio tower sites in the county. The project will connect the sites to the Solano County Motorola Core in the Law and Justice Data Center, effectively connecting all dispatch centers with their communications site and providing backup and redundancy in the event of failures or disasters.
Training and exercise funds will provide much needed Incident Command System training for all personnel assigned to positions in the county or a city’s emergency operations center. Position-specific training will greatly improve the efficiency of the operation centers throughout the operational area during activations. Priority will be given to Solano County agencies, and any remaining seats will be shared with adjoining North Bay Hub counties (Napa, Sonoma, Marin). Each hub county has the same training funds available and by agreement, will share training opportunities.
The grant will be administered by the Office of Emergency Services and the Napa-Solano-Yolo-Marin County Public Health Laboratory.
2018 UASI Projects
Infrared Camera System (approved at 2/26/19 BOS Meeting) $ 38,531
Centrifuge (approved at 2/26/19 BOS Meeting) $ 16,960
Communications Microwave System $165,000
Emergency Operations Center Training $203,209
ALTERNATIVES:
The Board can choose not to authorize signature and execution of the amendment; however, this alternative is not recommended as it may negatively impact the County’s capability to respond to emergencies and disasters. Additionally, this alternative is not fiscally prudent as it may affect the Solano Operational Area from receiving future grant funds from San Francisco and funds may be redistributed to other UASI partners. Without these funds, the Sheriff’s Office and Public Health Laboratory do not have sufficient appropriations to complete the 2018 projects.
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
The City and County of San Francisco is the grantor entity of the UASI funds and has prepared the grant modification.
CAO RECOMMENDATION:
APPROVE DEPARTMENTAL RECOMMENDATION