ORDINANCE authorizing submission of Electronic Application for Grant Assistance to the STATE OF TEXAS OFFICE OF THE GOVERNOR for the FY2024 Homeland Security Grant in accordance with the Urban Area Security Initiative and State Homeland Security Program;  declaring the City’s eligibility for such Grant; authorizing the Director of the Mayor’s Office of Public Safety and Homeland Security 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 

ORDINANCE authorizing the Director of the Mayor’s Office of Public Safety and Homeland Security to electronically submit applications for Subrecipient Grant Assistance and execute and accept Subrecipient Grant Agreements with the STATE OF TEXAS OFFICE OF THE GOVERNOR relating to the FY2024 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 request and/or accept the Grants and manage and expend the Grant Funds as awarded, and to apply for and accept all subsequent awards, if any, pertaining to the Program 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/or accept any amendments/modifications to these agreements or any subsequent agreements to secure Houston’s allocations through this grant program (not to exceed five years).The U.S. Department of Homeland Security provides grants to enhance the capacity of state and local governments to prevent, protect, respond to, migrate against, and recover from acts of terrorism. The Homeland Security Grant Program includes both the Urban Area Security Initiative (UASI) and State Homeland Security Grant Program (SHSP). The 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 Texas Office of the Governor. Once approved, the City of Houston’s FY2024 HSGP grant will be awarded in 22 sub-awards.  

Local allocations of UASI funds are governed by an executive committee that includes representation from the City of Houston, Harris and Fort Bend 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.

• UASI ($10,192,141.15) – Funds are requested for planning, organization, equipment, training, and exercises.  There are 19 projects requested by the City of Houston for this program. The largest projects requested include:

• $1,486,232.00 for the sustainment and enhancement of the regional radio system;
•  $1,400,000.00 for the Public Safety Video Initiative;
• $1,293,749.00 for sustainment and enhancements to the Houston Regional Intelligence Service Center, our region’s fusion center; and
•  $1,170,000.00 for Law Enforcement Sustainment and Enhancements for HPD

• SHSP ($363,246.00) – There are three (3) sub-awards allocated to the City of Houston for this program. These funds are allocated to sustain planning support for the Regional Catastrophic Preparedness Initiative, equipment support for the Houston Police Department’s Bomb Squad and training for Special Response Teams.

Fiscal Note: No Fiscal Note is required on grant items.

_____________________________

Larry Satterwhite, Director

$10,555,387.15

Fed, Local, State Pass through Grant

Grant Fund 5030

Kimberly House, Division Manager, Mayor's Office

Phone: 832.393.0930