REQUEST FOR CITY COUNCIL ACTION
DATE: 05/15/2024
TO: Honorable Mayor and City Council Members
FROM: Fire Department
SUBJECT:
Title
ACCEPTANCE AND APPROPRIATION OF THE FISCAL YEAR 2023 UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY GRANT PROGRAM AWARD
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EXECUTIVE SUMMARY:
This staff report asks the City Council to approve the acceptance and appropriation of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security Grant Program award to support the Fire Department’s Hazardous Materials Response Team, Community Emergency Response Team, and the Emergency Management Division.
RECOMMENDED ACTION:
Recommended action
That the City Council:
a. Authorize the submittal and acceptance of the Fiscal Year 2023 U.S. Department of Homeland Security Grant Program award in the amount of $122,913.
b. Authorize an appropriation and estimated revenue increase in the amount of $122,913 to the Fire Department’s operating budget within the General Fund 110.
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BACKGROUND & HISTORY:
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security Grant Program (DHS) provides funding to assist states and local governments in enhancing and sustaining emergency management capabilities in preparing for all potential hazards a community might face. This sub-grant to local jurisdictions is administered through the California Office of Emergency Services in cooperation with the Riverside County Emergency Management Department. This has historically been a recurring annual grant, and although it is not guaranteed, the City anticipates receiving future allocations.
ANALYSIS:
The DHS allocates grant funding to local governments to assist in their efforts to prevent, mitigate, respond, and recover from natural and manmade hazards, and potential terrorist attacks. Funding from this grant will be utilized by the Fire Department to provide training, conduct exercises, and purchase equipment for the Hazardous Materials Response Team. The Community Emergency Response Team (CERT), funding allows the City to offer its residents free annual CERT training, Teen CERT in partnership with the Corona Norco Unified School District, and one annual Spanish CERT course. Funding will also be allocated for additional emergency management contractors that will assist with plans, training, and Emergency Operations Center (EOC) exercises.
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
Approval of the recommended actions will result in an appropriation and estimated revenue increase in the amount of $122,913 from the General Fund 110 to the Fire Department’s operating budget. The funding will be allocated to the following grant programs in the specified amounts: FY23 CERT - $22,530, FY23 Countywide Hazardous Operations Group (CHOG) - $67,000, and FY23 Emergency Management Program Grant (EMPG) - $33,383. The EMPG grant allocation is provided on a 50 percent cost-share basis. The in-kind match requirement will be met utilizing the Fire Department’s current emergency management approved budget .
ENVIRONMENTAL ANALYSIS:
This action is exempt pursuant to Section 15061(b)(3) of the Guidelines for the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), which states that a project is exempt from CEQA if the activity is covered by the commonsense exemption that CEQA applies only to projects that have the potential for causing a significant effect on the environment. Where it can be seen with certainty that there is no possibility that the activity in question may have a significant effect on the environment, the activity is not subject to CEQA. This action authorizes the submittal for and acceptance of grant funding, and there is no possibility this will have a significant effect on the environment. Therefore, no environmental analysis is required.
PREPARED BY: LEE SHIN, EMERGENCY SERVICES MANAGER
REVIEWED BY: BRIAN YOUNG, FIRE CHIEF
Attachment(s):
1. Exhibit 1: Fiscal Year 2023 DHS Grant Program Award Letter - $22,530
2. Exhibit 2: Fiscal Year 2023 DHS Grant Program Award Letter - $67,000
3. Exhibit 3: Fiscal Year 2023 DHS Grant Program Award Letter - $33,383