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 - Law Enforcement Terrorism Prevention Activities grant for Program Year 2025 to request funding towards the purchase of a tactical robot, 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: Police
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COUNCIL DISTRICTS IMPACTED: Citywide
BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
The City’s adopted 2024-2029 Strategic Plan includes objectives pertaining to public safety and fiscal sustainability. As such, Staff recently applied to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, State Homeland Security Program - Law Enforcement Terrorism Prevention Activities grant program as administered by the Office of the Governor, Public Safety Office, Homeland Security Grants Division’s State Homeland Security Program (SHSP) grant for Program Year 2025 to request additional funding on behalf of the New Braunfels Police Department (NBPD) for the purchase of a tactical robot.
If awarded, the grant will provide additional funds - the equipment is currently partially funded by SHSP Program Year 2024 grant - to replace a significantly outdated robot that is being used by NBPD’s, Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) Unit during high-risk calls, including assistance to other law enforcement agencies. In emergency prevention and response efforts, the robot can locate possible suspects and explosive devices, detect the presence of hazardous chemicals, deliver supplies to hostages, and assist in search and rescue efforts for victims in dangerous conditions such as collapsed buildings and train derailments. With this equipment, the City will be more effective in performing law enforcement activities, and protecting its first responders, over 100,000 residents, and more than 3 million tourists each year from potential threats and hazards caused by natural, man-made, and terroristic emergencies.
City staff recently submitted a grant application for a total amount of $248,000. 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 2025.
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:
The City’s adopted 2024-2029 Strategic Plan includes objectives pertaining to public safety and fiscal sustainability, both of which will be supported by the grant application, its associated resolution, and requested equipment for the New Braunfels Police Department.
STRATEGIC PLAN REFERENCE:
☐Economic Mobility ☐Enhanced Connectivity ☐Community Identity
☒Organizational Excellence ☒Community Well-Being ☐N/A
(Organizational Excellence) Considering statutory and market-based factors, continue to diversify revenue streams to support long-term fiscal sustainability of the Organization. (Community Well-Being) Continue to develop alternative public safety deployment strategies that align to call type and statutory requirements to allow for efficient use of current and future staff resources.
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 - Law Enforcement Terrorism Prevention Activities grant for Program Year 2025 to request funding towards the purchase of a tactical robot, and authorization for the City Manager to act on behalf of the City in all matters related to the grant if awarded.