12 Staff Report.Homeland Security Grant_Final
PREPARED BY: Clinton Tada
Support Services Captain
Reviewed by: Town Manager, Assistant Town Manager, Town Attorney, and Finance Director
110 E. Main Street Los Gatos, CA 95030 ● (408) 354-6832
www.losgatosca.gov
TOWN OF LOS GATOS
COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT
MEETING DATE: 04/02/2024
DATE: March 28, 2024
TO: Mayor and Town Council
FROM: Laurel Prevetti, Town Manager
SUBJECT: Authorize Revenue and Expenditure Budget Adjustments in the Amount of
$65,000 to Recognize Receipt of State Homeland Security Grant Program
(SHSGP) funds and Authorize the Town Manager to Execute the Required
Agreement and Grant Documents to Receive Reimbursement Funds in
Accordance with SHSGP Requirements
RECOMMENDATION:
Authorize revenue and expenditure budget adjustments in the amount of $65,000 to recognize
receipt of State Homeland Security Grant Program (SHSGP) funds and authorize the Town
Manager to execute the required agreement and grant documents to receive reimbursement
funds in accordance with SHSGP requirements.
BACKGROUND:
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security provides funding to state and local governments
through the State Homeland Security Grant Program (SHSGP). SHSGP plays an important role in
the implementation of the National Preparedness System (NPS) by supporting the building,
sustaining, and delivery of core capabilities essential to achieving the National Preparedness
Goal (NPG) of a secure and resilient nation. Delivering core capabilities requires the combined
effort of the whole community, rather than the exclusive effort of any single organization or
level of government. SHSGP funds support efforts to build and sustain core capabilities across
the Prevention, Protection, Mitigation, Response, and Recovery mission areas, including
Building and Sustaining Law Enforcement Terrorism Prevention Capabilities.
PAGE 2 OF 3 SUBJECT: Accept State Homeland Security Grant Program Funding and Authorize Budget Adjustment DATE: March 28, 2024
DISCUSSION:
In FY 2022/23, the Los Gatos-Monte Sereno Police Department (LGMSPD) applied for SHSGP
grant funding to purchase an off-road side-by-side Utility Terrain Vehicle (UTV), gas masks, and
ballistic riot protection helmets for sworn Officers.
The Santa Clara County Police Chiefs Association (SCCPCA) was an advocate and sponsor of this
project, given the regional mutual aid UTVs provide for rural mitigation and response efforts by
first responders during critical incidents and disasters. In September 2022, SHSGP applications
were submitted to the Santa Clara County Office of Emergency Services (County OES) where the
approving board recommended full funding of this project. County OES then submitted the
project to Cal OES for final approval review and funding authority.
In January of 2024, County OES was advised by Cal OES the grant was approved and the Los
Gatos-Monte Sereno Police Department was awarded a $65,000 reimbursement grant to
purchase a law enforcement equipped off-road side by side UTV and to supplement the costs of
new gas masks and ballistic riot helmets for sworn Officers. The UTV will be a shared regional
asset by all law enforcement agencies throughout the Santa Clara County operational area for
deployment during public events, rural patrol/rescue missions, and during mutual aid critical
incidents. With the increase in domestic terror-related incidents, Wildland Urban Interface
(WUI) fire threats, and open space and creek trail use, accessibility, and mobility for first
responders to and from these areas continue to pose significant risks.
The purchase of a UTV will allow Officers to conduct proactive patrol checks and respond to
calls for service along the creek trail and open space areas, which are traditionally difficult to
access in a full-sized patrol vehicle without four-wheel drive. Prior to purchase, the LGMSPD
will identify several reputable UTV government fleet vendors which specialize in law
enforcement equipped all-terrain vehicles with full patrol capabilities. Residual funding after
the UTV is purchased would be applied to purchase of updated gas masks and ballistic helmets
to replace expired equipment for officers.
CONCLUSION:
Approval of this item would authorize the Town Manager to execute the required SHSGP
agreement and authorize $65,000 expenditure and revenue adjustments for SHSGP
reimbursement grant funds to be used for the purchase of a UTV, gas masks, and ballistic
helmets. The UTV will be a Santa Clara County shared regional asset available for use during
mutual aid requests. The gas masks and ballistic helmets allow for LGMSPD Officers to respond
to mutual aid events where such safety equipment is necessary. The residual funds after the
PAGE 3 OF 3 SUBJECT: Accept State Homeland Security Grant Program Funding and Authorize Budget Adjustment DATE: March 28, 2024
CONCLUSION (continued):
purchase of the UTV will not cover the cost for all Officers to receive gas masks and ballistic
helmets but will help supplement the purchase.
FISCAL IMPACT:
Upon Council approval of the acceptance of SHSGP funds, a budget adjustment will be made to
the Police Department Operating Expenditures budget. The budget adjustment will recognize
an increase in expenditures in the amount up to $65,000; this will be offset by grant revenue of
an equal amount. The grant will be recorded in the FY 2024/25 Police Department budget.
ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT:
This is not a project defined under CEQA, and no further action is required.