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Adopt a resolution approving participation in the 2019 Urban Area Security Initiative and authorizing the Sheriff or his designees to execute any actions necessary for the purpose of obtaining grant funding to include acceptance and administration of this grant and to sign associated amendments, modifications, and reimbursement forms; Approve an agreement with the City and County of San Francisco to receive $128,800 in accordance with the Department of Homeland Security Urban Area Security Initiative for the period of November 1, 2019 through February 28, 2021; Approve an Appropriations Transfer Request (ATR) of $128,800 to recognize unanticipated grant revenue and related appropriations to enhance the ability to prevent, protect, respond to and recover from terrorist activity in the Solano Operational Area (4/5 vote required); Approve fixed asset purchases totaling $128,800 for antennas, a radio repeater, backhaul network equipment, and a DNA/RNA extraction instrument; 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 Urban Area Security Initiative Expenditure Plan and which remain within budgeted appropriations
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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 2019 Urban Area Security Initiative and authorizing the Sheriff or his designees to execute any actions necessary for the purpose of obtaining grant funding to include acceptance and administration of this grant and to sign associated amendments, modifications, and reimbursement forms;
2. Approve an agreement with the City and County of San Francisco to receive $128,800 in accordance with the Department of Homeland Security Urban Area Security Initiative for the period of November 1, 2019 through February 28, 2021;
3. Approve an Appropriations Transfer Request (ATR) of $128,800 to recognize unanticipated grant revenue and related appropriations to enhance the ability to prevent, protect, respond to and recover from terrorist activity in the Solano Operational Area (4/5 vote required);
4. Approve fixed asset purchases totaling $128,800 for antennas, a radio repeater, backhaul network equipment, and a DNA/RNA extraction instrument; 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 Urban Area Security Initiative Expenditure Plan and which remain within budgeted appropriations.
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 Solano County Operational Area’s ability to prevent, protect, respond to and recover from terrorist activity the Solano members identified the need to purchase and install antennas, a radio repeater, and backhaul network equipment at existing sites which are necessary for the completion of a county-wide interoperable radio communications project. Solano members also identified the need to purchase a DNA/RNA extraction instrument for the Solano Public Health Laboratory. The Solano Operational Area consists of the County and all of its cities. After review of submissions, San Francisco notified Solano County that the County’s proposed 2019 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 Sheriff’s 2019 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 $128,800 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 $128,800 to enhance the Solano Operational Area’s response to terrorism through the purchase of interoperable radio communications equipment and a DNA/RNA extraction instrument. 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 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.
Fixed Assets Equipment: Fifty percent (50%) or $64,858 of the grant funds will be used to purchase fixed assets interoperable radio communications equipment such as antennas, a radio repeater, and backhaul network equipment to support existing towers. Additionally, fifty percent (50%) or $63,942 of the grant funds will be used to purchase a replacement DNA/RNA extraction instrument.
The cost associated with preparing the agenda item is nominal and absorbed by the department’s FY2019/20 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 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 interoperable communications equipment will provide enhanced first responder communications throughout the operational area.
Solano County’s Office of Emergency Services has developed the 2019 UASI Expenditure Plan. A detailed description of the projects is enumerated below:
Interoperable Radio Communications Project: $64,858 to purchase and install additional interoperable radio communications equipment such as a radio repeater and antennas to outfit proposed tower at the County fairgrounds, and to upgrade existing infrastructure for the backhaul network. The on-going interoperable radio communications project is necessary to support the countywide communications system for the southern county area. Regional interoperability will benefit the entire County including the Sheriff’s Office, allied law enforcement and fire agencies, and its residents.
DNA/RNA Project: $63,942 to purchase a replacement DNA/RNA extraction instrument necessary to continue providing bioterrorism response testing services. The current extraction instrument is obsolete and can no longer be repaired. This equipment was requested by the Napa-Solano-Yolo-Marin County Public Health Laboratory.
The grant applications were submitted and will be administered by the Office of Emergency Services and the Napa-Solano-Yolo-Marin County Public Health Laboratory.
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 prevent 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 and Public Health Laboratory do not have sufficient appropriation to carry out the aforementioned 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.
CAO RECOMMENDATION:
APPROVE DEPARTMENTAL RECOMMENDATION