DEPARTMENT: Aviation
DEPARTMENT HEAD: Frank Miller
COUNCIL DISTRICTS IMPACTED: Citywide
SUBJECT:
Transportation Security Administration Law Enforcement Officers Grant at Terminal Checkpoints
SUMMARY:
Consideration of two Ordinances related to cooperative agreements with the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) for law enforcement officer support at terminal checkpoints at San Antonio International Airport.
The first Ordinance will authorize the continuation of the current cooperative agreement (related to law enforcement personnel reimbursement) with the TSA through January 31, 2016. The current agreement expires on September 30, 2015.
The second Ordinance will authorize a new cooperative agreement (related to law enforcement personnel reimbursement) with the TSA, commencing on February 1, 2016 and authorizes TSA to reimburse the City for up to $353,796.00 annually for three years.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
The City of San Antonio entered into a Law Enforcement Personnel Reimbursement Agreement with the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) in April 2004. The agreement has provided reimbursement for Airport Police officers posted at each of the San Antonio International Airport terminal passenger screening checkpoints. TSA agents are not law enforcement officers so they cannot make arrests. The Airport Police officers are able to provide a rapid law enforcement response to events. TSA has funded the agreement annually since its inception.
In February 2008, City Council approved Ordinance 2008-02-14-0116, which authorized the continued participation in the TSA Program through a renewal Cooperative Agreement covering a five-year period from October 1, 2007 to September 30, 2012. A second extension was approved by City Council through Ordinance 2012-06-14-0435 in June 2012, which extended the program for an additional three-year period from October 1, 2012 to September 30, 2015.
The City and TSA would like to enter into a new cooperative agreement, commencing on February 1, 2016 for three years. The total reimbursement is up to $353,796.00 annually
As the current agreement expires on September 30, 2015, the City is requiring an extension to it for an additional four months.
ISSUE:
This Ordinance authorizes the acceptance of up to $353,796.00 annually from the TSA for law enforcement officer support at terminal checkpoints at San Antonio International Airport. City Council approval is required for grants.
ALTERNATIVES:
City Council could discontinue participation in the program and end the Cooperative Agreement with the TSA. This action could have a negative impact on future federal grant applications and the working relationship between San Antonio International Airport and the TSA. City Council could continue the program but decline the TSA grant funding, thereby increasing the cost to the City for the federally-mandated staffing level. City Council could amend the terms of the Cooperative Agreement with the TSA to limit the funding cost to the City, but this action would require approval by the Federal Security Director of the Department of Homeland Security, and may have a negative impact on future federal grant applications.
FISCAL IMPACT:
This item accepts additional grant funds in an amount up to $353,796.00 annually from TSA for law enforcement officer support at terminal checkpoints, commencing on February 1, 2016. It extends the current program for four months through January 31, 2016 at the same annual rate, $353,760.00.
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends approval of this item and continued participation in the Law Enforcement Officer Checkpoint grant program.