Report Prepared by: Casey Wilson, Battalion Chief, Fire Department
Title
SUBJECT: Approval to Accept and Appropriate $13,000 in the Fiscal Year 2020 State Homeland Security Grant Program (SHSGP) Funds and Authorization to Purchase and Install Four (4) Vehicular Repeaters for the Fire Department
REPORT IN BRIEF
Considers accepting and appropriating $13,000 of Fiscal Year 2020 SHSGP Grant for the purchase and installation of four (4) vehicular repeaters for the Fire Department and using pooled cash to cover the appropriation until grant funds are reimbursed.
RECOMMENDATION
City Council - Adopt a motion:
A. Accepting $13,000 of Fiscal Year 2020 SHSGP grant funds to account 001-0901-324.02-00 Other State Grants; and,
B. Appropriating $13,000 to account 001-0901-522.26-00 Supplies and Services / Other Equipment O & M to purchase the mobile repeaters, accessories, installation and,
C. Authorizing the City to purchase requested radio equipment through Ten-Four Communications for equipment costs not to exceed $13,000; and,
D. Authorizing the use of pooled cash to cover the appropriation until grant funds are reimbursed; and,
E. Authorizing the City Manager or Deputy City Manager to execute any necessary contracts or documents needed related to this report.
Body
ALTERNATIVES
1. Approve, as recommended by staff; or,
2. Approve, subject to conditions other than recommended by staff (identify specific findings and/or conditions amended to be addressed in the motion); or,
3. Deny; or,
4. Refer to staff for reconsideration of specific items; or,
5. Continue to a future meeting (date and time to be specified in the motion).
AUTHORITY
Charter of the City of Merced, Section 200 - Power
Charter of the City of Merced, Section 405 - Powers Vested in the City Council
Charter of the City of Merced, Section 1105 - Budget Appropriations
CITY COUNCIL PRIORITIES
Public Safety as provided for in the 2021-22 Adopted Budget
DISCUSSION
Merced County public safety agencies have been aggressively working to upgrade the communications infrastructure within the county. Merced Fire Department was successful in obtaining a FEMA Assistance to Firefighter's Grant (AFG) for portable, mobile, and base station radios. The communications infrastructure can further be bolstered by adding mobile repeaters.
Merced Fire Department will increase their communication ability by having mobile repeaters. The mobile repeaters will allow for broadcast to get out in poor reception areas. Mobile repeaters will provide more reliable communications, increase accountability of firefighters working on emergency incidents.
Merced County Office of Emergency Services has awarded $13,000 to the Merced Fire Department from SHSGP FY20 to cover the allocation of mobile repeaters for the City of Merced Fire Department. A total of 4 mobile repeaters, accessories and installation will be purchased. The deadline to expend SHSGP FY 20 funds is May 31, 2023.
The lack, or breach, of communications are often cited as failures in incidents and frequently lead to negative outcomes on incidents.
Within the parameters and requirements of the grant program, the FY 2020 Office of Emergencies State Homeland Security Grant Programs - Equipment, Planning, Administration, Training and Exercises Agreement and the FY 2020 Grant Assurances Agreement have been previously completed.
IMPACT ON CITY RESOURCES
This purchase does not require General Fund contribution. State Homeland Security Grant Program (SHSGP) is 100% sub-vented. Pooled cash will be utilized to cover the appropriation until grant funds are reimbursed.
ATTACHMENTS
1. Quote - Ten-Four Communications
2. Quote - Cooks Communications