DEPARTMENT: SAFD
DEPARTMENT HEAD: Charles N. Hood
COUNCIL DISTRICTS IMPACTED: City Wide
SUBJECT: 2020 Urban Area Security Initiative (UASI) Grant Program
SUMMARY:
This ordinance authorizes the City of San Antonio Office of Emergency Management (SAOEM) actions to apply for, accept, and appropriate, upon award, up to $3,500,000.00 from the 2020 Urban Area Security Initiative (UASI) Grant Program.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
This grant program is designed to enhance the region’s ability to prevent, respond to, and recover from acts of international terrorism impacting the San Antonio Urban Area (SAUA). The SAUA encompasses the City of San Antonio, Bexar County, the surrounding 13 counties and suburban cities within these counties. This ordinance approves a total personnel complement of 5 current positions and an additional position which are essential for complying with the federal and state grant management requirements. These positions will be funded upon receipt of the 2020 UASI award.
The Department of Homeland Security has identified a national need for local jurisdictions develop long-term recovery plans with a special focus on keeping critical supply chains operational during a catastrophic disaster. COVID-19 has further identified the importance of developing supply chain relationships and recovery plans. The additional position authorized in this ordinance is essential for complying with the federal and state grant management requirements. This position will be funded upon receipt of the 2020 UASI award.
On February 14, 2020, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) released the 2020 Homeland Security Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) announcing the minimum award for each urban area, the maximum award, and the option to apply for an additional 15% award based on program effectiveness. The SAUA Working Group and Executive met on March 6, 2020 to review $25M in regional funding request and to recommend funding based of DHS guidelines. On April 10, 2020, DHS revised the notice that due to COVID-19, that each urban area would receive the maximum amount as identified in the NOFO. The San Antonio Urban Area (SAUA) will receive $3.5 million to sustain and enhance the following homeland security projects as approved and prioritized by the SAUA Executive Committee:
A.
• Grant ID 3434503 - Regional Planning and Analysis CI/KR team (4 FTE)
• Grant ID 3692502 - Homeland Security Strategic Planning (1 FTE)
• Grant ID 2963705 - SAPD Southwest Texas Regional Fusion Center
• Grant ID 3434903 - SAPD Regional Response Teams
• Grant ID 3435003 - SAFD Regional Response Teams
• Grant ID 3697502 - ITSD - Cyber Security Projects
• Grant ID 3434403 - Management and Administration Cost (1 FTE)
B. Create a new grant funded position as recommended during recent public meetings and the SA Climate Ready Report recommending the City to conduct emergency planning with an emphasis on vulnerable populations and supply chain management.
ISSUE:
This ordinance authorizes the City of San Antonio Office of Emergency Management (SAOEM) actions to apply for, accept, and appropriate, upon award, up to $3,500,000.00 from the 2020 Urban Area Security Initiative (UASI) Grant Program. Furthermore, it approves a budget and a personnel complement of 6 positions, of which 1 is a new position.
ALTERNATIVES:
This grant application provides an opportunity to the City of San Antonio to have funding for critical functions of the Office of Emergency management including planning, training exercises and purchase of equipment to address intelligence and warning, protecting critical infrastructure and emergency preparedness.
FISCAL IMPACT:
The grant award of this grant does not require cash matching or an in-kind contribution from the City.
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends approval of this ordinance to apply for and accept grant funds from the 2020 UASI grant programs, appropriate funds upon award, and authorizing the City Manager, or designee, or the City Emergency Manager to execute any and all necessary documents to effectuate 2020 UASI grants.