PRESENTER: Presenter
Jennifer Gates, Grants Coordinator
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SUBJECT: Title
Approval of a resolution; ratification for the submission of a grant application to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, State Homeland Security Program - Regular Projects grant for Program Year 2024 to request funding for the purchase of a gas/vapor monitor; and authorization for the City Manager to act on behalf of the City in all matters related to the grant if awarded.
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DEPARTMENT: Fire
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COUNCIL DISTRICTS IMPACTED: Citywide
BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
New Braunfels’ City Council strategic priorities include using a variety of funding sources for operational and capital needs. As such, Staff recently submitted an application to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, State Homeland Security Program - Regular Projects grant program as administered by the Office of the Governor, Public Safety Office, Homeland Security Grants Division’s State Homeland Security Program grant for Program Year 2024 to request funding on behalf of the New Braunfels Fire Department (NBFD) for the purchase of equipment for the New Braunfels Fire Department’s (NBFD) Hazmat team.
If awarded, the grant will provide funding to purchase a rugged handheld gas/vapor detection and identification system that uses Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy to detect and identify over 5,000 types of dangerous chemical gases and vapors that could be released during natural and man-made events. The equipment will be used by trained members of NBFD’s Hazardous Material (Hazmat) Team and its regional Guada-Coma Emergency Response Group, allowing them to be significantly more effective in protecting first responders, over 100,000 City residents, and more than 3 million tourists each year from potential threats and hazards caused by emergency situations such as floods, industrial accidents, and terroristic activities.
City staff recently submitted a grant application for a total amount of $61,500. The granting agency will provide funds for 100% of the total amount therefore, there is no City-match requirement.
If approved, the grant will be awarded by September 2024.
Staff is also requesting City Council approval of a resolution, as required by the granting agency, that will authorize our City Manager to act as the authorized official on behalf of the City in all matters related to this grant. The designated authorized official is given the power to apply for, accept, reject, alter, or terminate the grant on behalf of the applicant agency.
ISSUE:
Submission of the aforementioned grant application supports the City’s Strategic Priorities as follows:
Use a variety of funding sources for operational and capital needs.
FISCAL IMPACT:
The granting agency will provide reimbursement of all awarded costs; there is no City-match requirement.
Recommendation
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends approval of a resolution; ratification for the submission of a grant application to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, State Homeland Security Program - Regular Projects grant for Program Year 2024 to request funding for the purchase of a gas/vapor monitor; and authorization for the City Manager to act on behalf of the City in all matters related to the grant if awarded.