REPORT TO COUNCIL
SUBJECT
Title
Action on Approval of Coronavirus Emergency Supplemental Funding Program Grant Funding and Associated Budget Amendment [Council Pillar - Deliver and Enhance High Quality Efficient Services and Infrastructure]
Report
BACKGROUND
On March 30, 2020, the U.S. Department of Justice, Office of Justice Programs and Bureau of Justice Assistance released a grant solicitation for the Coronavirus Emergency Supplemental Funding Program (CESF).
The CESF Program is intended to provide funding to assist eligible states, local units of government, and tribes in preventing, preparing for, and responding to the coronavirus. Funds awarded under the CESF Program must be utilized to prevent, prepare for, and respond to the coronavirus. Allowable projects and purchases include, but are not limited to, overtime, equipment (including law enforcement and medical personal protective equipment), hiring, supplies (such as gloves, masks, sanitizer), training, travel expenses (particularly related to the distribution of resources to the most impacted areas), and addressing the medical needs of inmates in state, local, and tribal prisons, jails, and detention centers.
DISCUSSION
The Police Department (Department) submitted a CESF Program application for $39,923 to fund the purchase of equipment to mitigate the spread of infectious diseases.
As a result of the coronavirus, the Department learned we do not have an effective way to sterilize our vehicles, temporary holding facility, locker rooms, restrooms, gym and public rooms. Removing infectious organisms from both surfaces and air will be a necessity moving forward, particularly eliminating the harmful contaminants and unpleasant odors (e.g. vomit, blood, feces, urine, saliva, semen, skin cells, hair, sneezing, coughing, parasites, etc.). In response, the Department purchased a first responder sterilizer from Genlantis. This powerful tool destroys germs, viruses and microbes that may cause surface or air contaminations by converting ozone to oxygen molecules.
When transporting a prisoner, the Department’s current coronavirus protocol calls for having the rear window open, the ventilation system placed in a non-circulating mode on high setting and sanitizing the vehicle after every transport. Doing so, takes a vehicle out of service for approximately one hour while this process is completed. The Department’s Jail Service Officers have been performing this function.
The Department’s coronavirus site-specific protection plan includes social distancing, the use of personal protective equipment and service level adjustments (e.g. limit contact with registered sex offenders and prisoners, no visitors in specialized work areas, limits on number of employees in certain areas, suspended use of the temporary holding facility, etc.). Should a coronavirus exposure occur, the Department has a detailed decontamination plan within its current resources.
The Department’s grant award allows the expansion of current resources, including the purchase of a second vehicle sterilizing system (estimated at $8,700) and a room / facility cleaning system (up to $29,923). Any remaining funds, up to $39,923, can be spent toward the purchase of personal protective equipment.
The Department has until January 31, 2022 to utilize the funds, however it wants to expedite the purchase ahead of the 2020 cold and flu season for maximum benefit.
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 fiscal activity that does not involve any commitment to any specific project which may result in a potential significant impact on the environment.
FISCAL IMPACT
The Coronavirus Emergency Supplemental Funding Program Grant allows the Police Department to make $39,923 in unanticipated purchases outside of the normal operating budget cycle for equipment to mitigate the spread of infectious diseases.
Budget Amendment
FY 2020/21
|
|
Current |
Increase/ (Decrease) |
Revised |
|
Police Operating Grant Trust Fund |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Revenues |
|
|
|
|
Other Agencies Revenue |
$0 |
$39,923 |
$39,923 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Expenditures |
|
|
|
|
Coronavirus Emergency Supplemental Funding Program Grant |
$0 |
$39,923 |
$39,923 |
COORDINATION
This report was coordinated with the Finance Department and 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 Coronavirus Emergency Supplemental Funding Program grant; and
2. Approve the FY 2020/21 Budget Amendment in the Police Operating Grant Trust Fund to recognize grant funding in the amount of $39,923 and appropriate it to the Coronavirus Emergency Supplemental Funding Program Grant.
Staff
Reviewed by: Patrick Nikolai, Chief of Police
Approved by: Deanna J. Santana, City Manager
ATTACHMENTS
1. Department of Justice Award Report
2. BJA FY 2020 Coronavirus Emergency Supplemental Funding Allocations