REPORT TO COUNCIL
SUBJECT
Title
Action on the Approval of State Homeland Security Grant Funding and Related Budget Amendment [Council Pillar - Deliver and Enhance High Quality Efficient Services and Infrastructure]
Report
BACKGROUND
Each federal fiscal year, the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services (CalOES) serves as the State Administrative Agency for the U.S. Department of Homeland Security for the State Homeland Security Grant Program (SHSGP) funds.
In turn, CalOES solicits grant applications throughout California for equipment, training, and exercise funding for subrecipients based on the core mission of enhancing security and emergency preparedness across the State.
DISCUSSION
With the global increase in terror related incidents, SHSGP’s Fiscal Year 2019 funding priority is anti-terrorism.
Separately, the Santa Clara County Police Chiefs’ Association and Santa Clara County Fire Chiefs’ Association identified equipment and training needs throughout the county with emergency preparedness and public safety being the utmost priority.
With multiple large venues in the City of Santa Clara (e.g. Santa Clara University, Mission College, California Great America Theme Park, Santa Clara Convention Center, Levi’s Stadium, Central Park, etc.) and throughout Santa Clara County (e.g. Shoreline Amphitheater, Stanford University, Avaya Stadium, San José Convention Center, SAP Center, San José State University, etc.) it serves as a setting for high-visibility forums for sports and entertainment events, dignitary visits, political demonstrations/protests, etc.
Each venue faces a certain level of risk as a result of natural events, accidents, or intentional acts to cause harm. As a result, each major public event goes through a detailed threat assessment process to ensure adequate security measures are in place. Police and Fire Departments draw on existing equipment and personnel resources, including local, State, and federal law enforcement partners, to provide a secure environment which is prepared for the unknown. In addition, City employees receive regular training on how to respond to dynamic events.
Best practices evolve following each act of terrorism. The Police and Fire Departments would benefit from enhancing its equipment resources to protect or venues. The City of Santa Clara was fortunate to receive three SHSGP awards. All SHSGP purchases become a county regional asset for use at planned events or response to mutual aid situations.
|
Department |
Amount |
Project / Equipment |
|
Fire |
$71,898 |
High Pressure Mass Spectroscopy |
|
Fire |
$87,392 |
Backpack-portable radiation detection device |
|
Police |
$52,000 |
Close Quarter Clearance training |
|
Police |
$102,000 |
Portable bollards and mobile crash barriers |
|
|
$313,290 |
TOTAL |
Fire Department SHSGP Award #1
The Fire Department works in conjunction with the Police Department and Santa Clara County Sheriff’s Office Bomb Squad to provide preventative screening, search and detection of chemical, and explosive threats. With its current technology, the Fire Department has the ability to classify, but not identify, most chemical threats.
As a result, the Fire Department sought SHSGP funding in the amount of $71,898 to purchase one (1) high-pressure mass spectroscopy, including trace sampling swabs and a training kit which consists of chemical samples and vapors.
A high-pressure mass spectroscopy would enhance the detection and identification capabilities of the Fire Department and Joint Hazardous Assessment Team with the quick ability to identify most narcotics and their derivatives. This includes the ability to respond to fentanyl exposure.
Fire Department SHSGP Award #2
The Fire Department works in conjunction with the Police Department and Santa Clara County Sheriff’s Office Bomb Squad to provide preventative screening for radiological or nuclear threats by clearing the venue pre-event, conducting roving patrols during the event, and responding to emergent incidents such as suspicious packages.
The South Bay does not currently have sufficient backpack-portable radiation detection capability. Currently, the Fire Department utilizes mostly belt-worn personal radiation detectors and hand-carried radio-isotope identifiers. Both instruments are limited to their detector size and radius and must be actively worn on a responder’s person to be deployed. For major events at Levi’s Stadium (e.g. Super Bowl 50), the Fire Department borrowed backpack-portable radiation detection capability from the Department of Homeland Security, located several states away.
Backpack-portable radiation detection would increase the size of detector deployed by Joint Hazardous Assessment Teams, increasing both the radius of detection and alarm sensitivity. This would allow teams to get a much wider and clearer picture of the operating environment for making threat vs. no-threat decisions. Backpack detectors have the further advantage of the ability to be staged by themselves at ingress and egress checkpoints to allow operators to perform remote screening in a more covert posture.
The SHSGP award in the amount of $87,392 would allow the Fire Department to obtain two (2) backpack-portable radiation detection devices, including their associated accessories and user interfaces. Additionally, the cost of this project would include provisions for warranty extensions and routine maintenance (e.g. factory service, OEM parts, calibrations, and software upgrades). As a result, there should be minimal impact, if any, on the Fire Department’s operating budget.
Police Department SHSGP Award #1
The Police Department petitioned SHSGP to fund a regional training, to be hosted by our agency, titled Close Quarter Clearance by Tomahawk Strategic. The course would be made available to a few members of each law enforcement special operations team throughout Santa Clara County. In turn, these participants would return to their respective agencies to facilitate a “train the trainer” course.
Special operations team members are trained in basic fundamentals of single, two-man, and team room clearing with a firearm. This accelerated Close Quarter Clearance course would focus on concepts and techniques taught to, and utilized by, the military with an emphasis on individual officer and small team tactics.
The cost of the 40-hour course is $52,000 for 40 participants.
Police Department SHSGP Award #2
With the global increase in terror related incidents involving vehicle borne assaults and mass casualties, the Santa Clara County Chiefs’ of Police Association submitted individual funding requests by law enforcement agencies for portable bollards and mobile crash barriers.
These devices will provide protection to the public at events where significant numbers of pedestrians are present. All SHSGP funded equipment is to be a shared, regional asset, to be used by multiple agencies for protection against vehicle assaults during public events held in their jurisdictions. In order for this initiative to be effective, the Santa Clara County Chiefs’ of Police Association requested the equipment be interoperable. The grant was approved based on this premise that the purchased equipment could be utilized together by different agencies.
Fiscal Years 2018, 2019 and 2020 funding for mobile crash barriers and portable bollards have been approved as follows:
|
Fiscal Year |
Amount per Agency |
Law Enforcement Agency |
|
2018 |
$90,000 |
Mountain View, Morgan Hill and San José |
|
2019 |
$102,000 |
Campbell, Los Gatos, Milpitas, Morgan Hill and Santa Clara |
|
2020 |
$90,000 |
Milpitas and San José |
The Santa Clara Police Department plans to purchase two (2) mobile crash barriers and five (5) portable bollards with its SHSGP Fiscal Year 2019 funding. The grant performance period is September 1, 2019 through May 31, 2022, with all purchases to be made by April 1, 2022.
Stadium Authority Capital Improvement Program (CIP)
The Stadium Authority Budget for Fiscal Year 2020/2021 includes Capital Improvement Program funding of $363,225 to purchase six mobile crash barriers. These funds will be available May 1, 2020.
Combined, these two sources of funding will allow the Police Department to purchase five (5) portable bollards (paid for with SHSGP funds) and eight (8) mobile crash barriers (two purchased with SHSGP funds and six paid for with Stadium Authority CIP funding).
Portable Bollards and Mobile Crash Barriers
The mobile crash barriers can be towed to where vehicle security is needed and set up in less than fifteen minutes. It is self-contained and battery powered. A single operator can activate the security gate to restrict vehicle access or allow emergency vehicles (e.g. Fire, Police and EMS) to pass through. The mobile crash barriers are certified to meet the U.S. Department of State testing with a rating of K4/L1.
The portable bollards also allow law enforcement to block access to venues where vehicles can be used as weapons against large numbers of pedestrians. Up to five (5) portable bollards can be linked together via a cable system.
Both products are manufactured by Delta Scientific Corporation.
The Police Department will work with the Finance Department for this sole source purchase of eight mobile crash barriers (six purchased with the Stadium Authority CIP funding and two with SHSGP grant funding) and five portable bollards by July 2020, for use with all of the City’s fall events (e.g. NFL season, National Night Out, Art and Wine Festival, Tree Lighting Ceremony, etc.).
In addition, the Finance Department will determine a per day, per piece of equipment cost. This will allow the City to bill Man Co for use of the SHSGP funded equipment for events at Levi’s Stadium, and the Stadium Authority to bill the City for use of its CIP funded equipment for the City’s various needs (e.g. sports and entertainment events, dignitary visits, political demonstrations/protests, other community events, etc.).
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
The action being considered does not constitute a “project” within the meaning of the California Environmental Quality Act (“CEQA”) pursuant to CEQA Guidelines section 15378(b)(5) in that it is a governmental organizational or administrative activity that will not result in direct or indirect changes in the environment.
FISCAL IMPACT
Acceptance of this State Homeland Security Grant Program (SHSGP) funding will allow the Fire Department and Police Department to be reimbursed for up to $159,290 and $102,000, respectively, in equipment to enhance security and preparedness. The acceptance of the grant awards will also allow the Police Department to be reimbursed for approximately $52,000 for training and exercise. The grant funding for this item could end up being higher than the initial $52,000 award. Should additional funding be received for training and exercise, a budget amendment to recognize and appropriate this funding will be brought forward.
Budget Amendment
FY 2019/20
|
|
Current |
Increase/ (Decrease) |
Revised |
|
Fire Department Operating Grant Trust Fund |
|
|
|
|
Revenue |
|
|
|
|
Grant Funding |
$147,764 |
$159,290 |
$307,054 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Expenditure |
|
|
|
|
State Homeland Security Grant Program 2019 |
$0 |
$159,290 |
$159,290 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Police Operating Grant Trust Fund |
|
|
|
|
Revenue |
|
|
|
|
Grant Funding |
$1,510,658 |
$154,000 |
$1,664,658 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Expenditure |
|
|
|
|
State Homeland Security Grant Program 2019 |
$0 |
$154,000 |
$154,000 |
The Police Department will be responsible for fulfilling standard grant requirements, such as compiling data to submit to SHSGP, invoicing and media requirements. These items are not reimbursable as part of the grant.
In addition, the Stadium Authority FY 2020/21 Capital Improvement Program includes funding of $363,225 to purchase six additional mobile crash barriers.
COORDINATION
This report was coordinated with the Fire and Finance Departments and the City Attorney’s Office.
PUBLIC CONTACT
Public contact was made by posting the Council agenda on the City’s official-notice bulletin board outside City Hall Council Chambers. A complete agenda packet is available on the City’s website and in the City Clerk’s Office at least 72 hours prior to a Regular Meeting and 24 hours prior to a Special Meeting. A hard copy of any agenda report may be requested by contacting the City Clerk’s Office at (408) 615-2220, email clerk@santaclaraca.gov <mailto:clerk@santaclaraca.gov>.
RECOMMENDATION
Recommendation
1. Accept and approve the State Homeland Security Grant funding of $159,290 for purchase of related Fire Department equipment;
2. Accept and approve the State Homeland Security Grant funding of $154,000 for the purchase of a Regional Asset and training and exercise equipment;
3. Approve the related budget amendment in the Fire Operating Grant Trust Fund to recognize grant revenue in the amount of $159,290 and establish a State Homeland Security Grant Program 2019 appropriation in the amount of $159,290;
4. Approve the related budget amendment in the Police Operating Grant Trust Fund to recognize grant revenue in the amount of $154,000 and establish a State Homeland Security Grant Program 2019 appropriation in the amount of $154,000;
5. Authorize the Chief of Police, City Manager and Finance Director to sign grant-related documents, if any, including but not limited to a Memorandum of Understanding with CalOES;
6. Authorize the City Manager to execute a purchase order(s) for the purchase of eight (8) mobile crash barriers and five (5) portable bollards for a term starting on or about May 19, 2020 and ending on or about May 31, 2021 for a total amount not-to-exceed $465,225; and
7. Authorize the City Manager to execute additional purchase orders for future purchases of mobile crash barriers and portable bollards, subject to the appropriation of funds.
Staff
Reviewed by: Patrick Nikolai, Chief of Police
Approved by: Deanna J. Santana, City Manager
ATTACHMENTS
1. Agreement for 2019 State Homeland Security Grant Program Funds
2. FY19 SHSGP Project Funding Requests
3. FY19 SHSGP California State Guidance
4. FY19 SHSGP Federal Grant Assurances
5. FY19 SHSGP Notice of Funding Opportunity
6. FY19 SHSGP Quarterly Performance Report Requirements
7. FY19 SHSGP Performance Report Template