Staff Report
City Council
Item No. 3.N
Meeting Date: July 9, 2025
From: Michael Contreras, Fire Chief
Title: FY 2024 Emergency Management Performance Grant (EPMG) RECOMMENDATION:
To approve the purchase of twelve (12) new computers for the City’s Emergency Operations Center (EOC) in the amount not to exceed $18,804.60 funded partially through the FY 2024 Emergency Management Performance Grant (EMPG) award, and the balance from the Fire Department’s FY 2025/2026 Emergency Management budget.
BACKGROUND:
The City of Cathedral City was awarded a subgrant through the FY 2024 Emergency Management Performance Grant (EMPG) program in the amount of $8,685.00. The EMPG program is a federally funded initiative administered locally through the Riverside County Emergency Management Department. The purpose of the grant is to assist local governments in enhancing and sustaining their emergency management capabilities. The performance period for equipment-related expenditures under this grant began on April 23, 2025, and ends December 31, 2025. The award is subject to compliance with 2 CFR Part 200 and other federal, state, and local grant requirements.
DISCUSSION:
This funding opportunity allows the city to enhance its operational readiness by upgrading technology within the Emergency Operations Center (EOC). The EOC plays a central role in coordinating citywide emergency response efforts during natural disasters, large-scale incidents, and regional emergencies.
The current EOC computers are outdated, lack sufficient processing power for emergency software platforms, and do not meet modern cybersecurity standards. This grant-funded purchase will provide updated, reliable computer systems necessary for effective emergency management, inter-agency coordination, and incident command operations. Grant guidelines require that all expenditures align with the approved Financial Management Forms Workbook, with final documentation and reimbursement contingent upon submission of signed assurances and compliance with all sub-award conditions. Standard Assurances, including non-supplanting, nondiscrimination, and federal audit provisions, have been signed and submitted by the City’s Financial Services Director.
The total cost of the computers not to exceed $18,804.60, the grant funds of $8,685.00 will be fully reimbursed through the FY 2024 EMPG sub-grant, with the remaining $10,119.60 balance coming from the fire department’s 2025/2026 Emergency Management budget.
FISCAL IMPACT:
DESCRIPTION GENERAL
LEDGER
ACCOUNT
CODES
PROJECT
CODE
AMOUNT ONE TIME or
ONGOING
2025-2026 2024 EPMG 259-300-330-
331-8200-8XXX G0XXXX $ 8,685.00 ONE-TIME
2025-2026 2024 EPMG 100-300-330-
335-8200-8221 G0XXXX $10,119.60 ONE-TIME
2025-2026 Total $18,804.60
FIVE-YEAR STRATEGIC PLAN:
Goal #4 – Strengthen Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness This action supports the City’s goal of enhancing emergency management capabilities and ensuring a state of readiness for disaster response and recovery operations.
ATTACHMENTS:
1. EOC Laptop Quote