Title
Resolution to Amend the Fiscal Year 2020 Council Approved Budget and Accept and Appropriate the FY2019 Local Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant ("JAG") Program through the Bureau of Justice Assistance ("BJA")
Purpose
PURPOSE/BACKGROUND:
The Office of Justice Programs has awarded the City of Hampton Police Division ("HPD") grant funding for FY2019 in the amount of $49,820 in federal funds. The federal government, based upon a locality’s population and crime statistics, awards this grant annually. These funds allow each designated locality to support law enforcement operational needs by allowing the purchase of additional equipment, supplies, training, and more. The intended use of these funds by HPD is to purchase an Uninterrupted Power Source ("UPS") to protect the integrity of the City of Hampton's ("City") Emergency Communications Center and Real Time Information Center in the event of a power outage.
Discussion:
The City of Hampton is home to several key installations such as Langley Air Force Base, NASA Langley Research Center, the Virginia Air and Space Center, as well as containing the entrance to the Port of Virginia within its boundaries. Additionally, Hampton borders Chesapeake Bay and the Atlantic Ocean, to the east. These demographics make Hampton vulnerable to extreme and rapidly changing weather conditions, such as hurricanes, as well as a target for possible terrorist activity. The purpose of a UPS is to ensure continuity of services after a power outage, but before emergency generators can come online. The UPS maintains consistent power without interruption, protecting the up-time (with no down time) of the City’s Emergency Communications Center and Real Time Information Center by preventing the effects of brown outs, power loss, power surges and power spikes, which can result in catastrophic damage to equipment. As such, an uninterrupted power source is critical in order to maintain communication, situational awareness, and support public safety operations during emergencies or in any other event where the city may experience wide-range power outages. Further, during these times of intense conditions, the safety, and very lives, of our citizens and emergency response personnel hinge upon reliable communication with our emergency dispatchers. Moreover, the procurement of this system will allow the Police Division to safeguard its abilities to communicate with essential partners such as Virginia State Police, Langley Air Force Base, and other local law enforcement agencies, which is paramount during fast evolving emergent events. This renders the UPS an integral addition to the equipment necessary to keeping the City of Hampton’s citizens and emergency personnel safe.
Impact:
The ability to maintain reliable emergency communications during times of widespread power outages cannot be overstated, and can literally mean life or death for the City's citizens and emergency personnel. This project will completely be funded through the grant award of $49,820 with no local match required.
Recommendation:
Rec
Approve.
Body
WHEREAS, the City of Hampton Police Division ("HPD") has been awarded the FY2019 Local Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant (FY19 Byrne Grant) through the Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA) in the amount of $49,820;
WHEREAS, the FY19 Byrne grant has no required local match;
WHEREAS, the FY19 Byrne grant will be used by HPD to procure an Uninterrupted Power Source; and
WHEREAS, the grant award covers the period of 10/01/2018 to 09/30/2022.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the City Council of the City of Hampton, Virginia hereby amends its Fiscal Year 2020 Council Approved Budget to accept and appropriate the FY19 Byrne grant in the amount of $49,820, and any supplemental funding, by the Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA) to the Grant Fund in accordance with the grant agreement.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the City Council authorizes the City Manager, or her designee, to take the necessary steps to implement this grant award.