For City Council Meeting [May 12, 2020]
TO: Honorable City Council
APPROVAL: Rod Foster, City Manager
FROM: Sean Grayson, Fire Chief
Title
Request City Council to Authorize the Submission of a Grant Application in an Amount Not-To-Exceed $450,000 with a Local Match Not-To-Exceed $45,000 to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) COVID-19 Supplemental Program.
(ACTION)
Body
BACKGROUND
On April 23, 2020, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) released the Notice of Funding Opportunity for the Fiscal Year 2019 Assistance to Firefighter Grant (AFG) COVID-19 supplemental program. The due date for submission is May 15, 2020. The grant submission will be for more than $15,000 and includes a required local match, as such City Council authorization is sought to submit an application for the AFG COVID-19 supplemental program.
ANALYSIS/DISCUSSION
The purpose of the AFG program is to improve firefighter safety, health, or wellness through research and development that reduces firefighter fatalities and injuries. The AFG COVID-19 supplemental program accomplishes this by providing financial assistance directly to eligible fire departments, nonaffiliated emergency medical service (NAEMS) organizations, and State Fire Training Academies (SFTA) for critical Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and supplies needed to prevent, prepare for, and respond to the COVID-19 public health emergency. The City’s Fire Department is a qualified applicant.
The Fire Department intends to submit an application to fund PPE and supplies as identified in the grant. Additionally, the Fire Department intends to apply for reimbursement through the grant for PPE and supplies purchased after January 1, 2020 attributed to COVID-19.
Fire Department staff attended a pre-applicant webinar presented by FEMA. The Fire Department will seek letters of support from U.S. Representatives Pete Aguilar (CA-31) and Norma Torres (CA-35).
The AFG COVID-19 supplemental program requires a ten (10) percent local match for jurisdictions, such as Rialto, serving more than 20,000 residents. The local match amount would be a maximum of $45,000. If awarded and accepted, this amount will be designated as an expenditure in the fiscal year 2020/2021 Fire Department budget.
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT:
This report is not a “Project” as defined by the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). Pursuant to Section 15378(a), a “Project” means the whole of an action, which has a potential for resulting in either a direct physical change in the environment, or a reasonably foreseeable indirect physical change in the environment. According to Section 15378(b), a Project does not include: (5) Organizational or administrative activities of governments that will not result in direct or indirect physical changes in the environment.
GENERAL PLAN CONSISTENCY:
Our City government will lead by example, and will operate in an open, transparent and responsive manner that meets the needs of the citizens and is a good place to do business. This action is also consistent with the following policy:
5-3.1: Provide for fire personnel, equipment and fire stations to have adequate and appropriate resources to meet the needs and serve all areas of Rialto.
LEGAL REVIEW:
The City Attorney has reviewed and supports this staff report.
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
Operating Budget Impact
This action has no impact on the operating budget.
Capital Improvement Budget Impact
This action has no impact on the current capital improvement budget. The Fire Department will identify funds for the local match in the City’s 2020/2021 fiscal year budget.
Licensing
No licensing fees are required as part of this action.
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends that the City Council Authorize the submission of a grant application in an amount not to exceed $450,000 with a Local Match Not-To-Exceed $45,000 to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) COVID-19 Supplemental Program.