title
Adopt a resolution approving participation in the 2019 Homeland Security Grant Program for the period September 1, 2019 through May 31, 2022 and authorizing the Sheriff or his designees to take actions necessary for the purpose of obtaining grant funding; Approve an Appropriation Transfer Request (ATR) of $527,487 for FY2019/20 to recognize the unanticipated grant revenue and related appropriations to enhance catastrophic incident planning, response and recovery in the Solano Operational Area (4/5 vote required); Approve $143,209 for Solano Operational Area joint-agency response teams and non-county agencies for training and to purchase a heavy-lift air bag system; Approve fixed assets purchases totaling $357,904 to purchase additional interoperable radio communications equipment; and Authorize the Sheriff or his designees to execute any service contracts and subsequent amendments necessary to fulfill the County’s responsibility under the 2019 HSGP Expenditure Plan and which remain within budgeted appropriations
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 2019 Homeland Security Grant Program for the period September 1, 2019 through May 31, 2022 and authorizing the Sheriff or his designees to take actions necessary for the purpose of obtaining grant funding;
2. Approve an Appropriation Transfer Request (ATR) of $527,487 for FY2019/20 to recognize the unanticipated grant revenue and related appropriations to enhance catastrophic incident planning, response and recovery in the Solano Operational Area (4/5 vote required);
3. Approve $143,209 for Solano Operational Area joint-agency response teams and non-county agencies for training and to purchase a heavy-lift air bag system;
4. Approve fixed assets purchases totaling $357,904 to purchase additional interoperable radio communications equipment; and
5. Authorize the Sheriff or his designees to execute any service contracts and subsequent amendments necessary to fulfill the County’s responsibility under the 2019 HSGP Expenditure Plan and which remain within budgeted appropriations.
SUMMARY
On April 15, 2019, the State of California’s Office of Emergency Services (Cal-OES) released notification of funding availability under its 2019 Homeland Security Grant Program (HSGP). 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. The states in turn may award funds to counties or their equivalents to provide a range of preparedness activities, including planning, organization, equipment purchase, training, exercises, and management and administration.
Cal-OES awards its funding through a non-competitive grant process, which is administered through the State’s HSGP. The allocation that each county is eligible for was included in the notice of funding availability, which for Solano County is $527,487. Solano will have 33 months to spend the funds. The application deadline is scheduled for December 6, 2019 but 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 Sheriff’s 2019 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:
As indicated in the Cal-OES notice of funding availability, Solano County’s allocation is $527,487 with 25% of the total award to be allocated to Law Enforcement Terrorism Prevention-oriented activities and equipment. The HSGP does not include a match requirement. The Appropriation Transfer Request would increase appropriations by $527,487 and would serve to make enhancements to catastrophic incident planning, response and recovery through the purchase of necessary equipment and training. These expenditures would be entirely offset with unanticipated grant revenue; therefore, Board approval will not impact the County General Fund at this time. Grant expenditures will be reimbursed by Cal-OES as expenses are incurred, or on a quarterly basis, and would not significantly impact the County’s cash flow. HSGP funds must be fully expended by May 31, 2022 and are subject to those expenditures outlined below.
Training: Twenty-five percent (25%) or $133,209 of the grant funds will be used to conduct regional Hazardous Materials training and a Multi-Casualty Incident exercise for first responders.
Equipment: Two percent (2%) or $10,000 will be used to purchase a heavy-lift air bag system for the Solano County Urban Search and Rescue team. The agency the grant equipment is distributed to will be financially responsible for the repair or replacement costs necessary to maintain the equipment.
Fixed Assets Equipment: Sixty-eight percent (68%) or $357,904 of the grant funds will be used to purchase fixed assets interoperable radio communications system to outfit a new communications tower and replace some outdated radio repeaters and microwave antennas on three existing towers. The County is financially responsible for the repair or replacement costs necessary to maintain the grant equipment.
Administration: Five percent (5%) or $26,374 will be used to offset salary and benefits costs for the Sheriff’s Office Accountant performing grant administrative activities. HSGP guidelines allow grantees to claim up to 5% of the total award for administrative activities.
The cost associated with preparing the agenda item is nominal and absorbed by the department’s FY2019/20 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 2019 HSGP is part 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. California’s HSGP administers funds to focus on improving prevention and protection capabilities at the state and local levels.
Solano County’s proposed 2019 HSGP Expenditure Plan was developed in consultation with the Solano HSGP Approval Authority Body, which is composed of the Solano County Sheriff, the County Public Health Officer, Fairfield City Fire Chief, Vacaville Fire Protection District Chief, and the Vallejo 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 Radio Communications Project: $357,904 to purchase additional interoperable radio communications equipment such as radio repeaters and antennas to outfit the proposed tower at the Vallejo Fairgrounds and replace equipment at three existing communication towers. The on-going interoperable radio communications project is necessary to provide trunked radio signal coverage throughout Solano County and to transmit the newer digital trunked radio signal. Regional interoperability will benefit the entire County including the Sheriff’s Office, allied law enforcement and fire agencies, and its residents.
HAZMAT Project: $67,824 to provide hazard materials training for the joint-agency HAZMAT Team personnel to ensure the HAZMAT Team is response ready for potential rail car, pipeline, or terrorist exposures.
Multi-Casualty Incident Exercise: $65,385 to fund a county-wide agency multi-casualty incident exercise to include triage, patient care, and transportation to hospitals during a multi-casualty event or disaster. Participation will include all law enforcement and fire agencies, hospitals, and ambulance service.
Urban Search and Rescue Equipment: $10,000 to purchase a heavy-lift airbag system used to search for and/or free victims trapped by large pieces of debris following a disaster or terrorist incident.
Management and Administration: $26,374 to offset salary and benefits costs for the Sheriff’s Office Accountant performing grant administrative activities.
The Solano County OES will manage and coordinate the program projects. The OES may initiate 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, the County Public Health Officer, city police departments, city fire departments, and local fire protection districts.
CAO RECOMMENDATION:
APPROVE DEPARTMENTAL RECOMMENDATION