ORDINANCE authorizing Director of the Mayor’s Office of Public Safety and Homeland Security to submit application for Subrecipient Grant Assistance and execute and accept Subrecipient Grant Agreements with the STATE OF TEXAS OFFICE OF THE GOVERNOR relating to the FY2021 Homeland Security Grant Program Funding from the Urban Area Security Initiative and the State Homeland Security Program; declaring the City’s eligibility for such Grants; authorizing the Director to act as the City’s representative in the application process, to accept the Grant and expend the Grant Funds as awarded, and to apply for and accept all subsequent awards, if any, pertaining to the program; containing provisions relating to the subject; including amendments or modifications to these agreements or any subsequent documents necessary to secure the City’s Grant funding through the life of these Grant Awards

It is recommended that Council authorize the Director of the Mayor’s Office of Public Safety & Homeland Security to apply for, accept and execute sub-award agreements and to request and/or accept any amendments/modifications to these agreements or any subsequent agreements necessary to secure Houston’s allocations through this grant program (not to exceed five years).

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) provides grants to enhance the capacity of state and local governments to respond to incidents of terrorism and natural disasters. The Urban Area Security Initiative (UASI) program specifically addresses the unique needs of high risk urban areas with funding to develop an enhanced and sustainable capacity to prevent, protect against, respond to and recover from threats or acts of terrorism. In Texas, the agency that manages and administers these programs is the Office of the Governor, Homeland Security Grants Division. The agency granted one supplemental award under the City of Houston’s FY2021 HSGP grant program.

Supplemental Award ($146,949.00) Emerging Threats – Specialized Teams to fund equipment for Houston Police Department’s Bomb Squad, SWAT Team, and Houston Fire Department’s Hazmat Team. The additional project results in no increased funding. The State of Texas Office of Governor requires City Council approval for projects not included in the original ordinance. Project budgets will be realigned to remain within the award amount.

Twenty-three sub awards totaling $10,799,014.92 were authorized under City Council approvals ordinance 2021-825 September 21, 2021.

 Local allocations of UASI funds are governed by an executive committee that includes representation from the City of Houston and Harris, Fort Bend and Montgomery counties. The committee receives proposals from jurisdictions across the region that are reviewed and prioritized by committees of subject matter experts. After deciding which projects will best “buy down” the region’s risk, the successful proposals are included in a formal grant application to DHS. The department requests council approval to apply for, accept, and manage (including amendments/modifications to the awards) grant funds through the Homeland Security Grant Program.

 Fiscal Note:

No Fiscal Note is required on grant items.

_____________________________

George T. Buenik, Director

$146,949.00 

Federal, Local, State Pass through Grant

Grant Fund 5030

Kimberly House, Division Manager

Office of the Mayor

Phone 832.393.0930