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CITY OF GLENDALE, CALIFORNIA
REPORT TO THE CITY COUNCIL
AGENDA ITEM
Report: CalOES Funding for High-Frequency Radio for the Emergency Operations Center.
1. Motion authorizing the City Manager to accept High-Frequency Communications Equipment Program Grant funds in the amount of $59,770, and to execute the necessary agreements, certifications, and other documents to receive the grant funds.
2. Resolution of Appropriation
COUNCIL ACTION
Item Type: Consent Calendar
Approved for November 15, 2022 calendar
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The California Governor's Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES) has approved the City's Grant Subaward application for a high-frequency radio system in the amount of $59,770. The quote for the equipment, 5-year UrgentLink radio service, training, shipping costs, and taxes are included in the price. There will be no recurring cost for this service. 24c
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COUNCIL PRIORITIES
Safe and Healthy Community; This high frequency will increase emergency communication redundancy in response to a large-scale disaster that may impact the community.
RECOMMENDATION
That the City Council approve the Motion to accept funding from CalOES for High- Frequency Radio for the Emergency Operations Center, in the amount of $59,770, approve the Resolution of Appropriation.
BACKGROUND
The purpose of the High-Frequency Communications Equipment Program through Cal OES is to provide funding for equipment that will allow local governments to be included in an integrated high-frequency radio network service that utilizes frequencies authorized by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). To that end, Cal OES released $6 million in grant funding intended to help Alerting Authorities, Emergency Operation Centers (EOC) or County Sheriff’s Offices acquire equipment that would allow local governments to be included in an integrated high-frequency radio network service and be capable of communications with state, regional, and federal agencies. The City applied and was granted funding for a portable radio system. Though the current radio system is reliable with multiple redundancies, The Glendale EOC will benefit from having a portable high-frequency radio that could be moved to a remote location such as an Incident Command Post (ICP) or an alternate EOC.
ANALYSIS
Cal OES uses High-Frequency radios not only on the California Emergency Services Net Amateur Radio Frequencies, but also frequencies outside the amateur radio bands.
These additional channels are assigned at no cost to agencies that Cal OES and many local governments use across the State. The benefit to the City is that Cal OES and other State Agencies such as Caltrans not only use Amateur Radio (HAM) but also these other frequencies to communicate with state and regional partners during a crisis. Verdugo Fire Communications and the Burbank Hollywood Airport use the UrgentLink system. This additional layer of communication will enhance the City's capabilities to respond to an emergency and communicate its status to area partners and maintain communications with the State and our regional partners.
STAKEHOLDERS/OUTREACH
Internal stakeholders include the Glendale radio shop, Glendale Police Department, and the Verdugo Fire Communications Center. Their input was solicited and the decision to pursue the High-Frequency Tactical unit for portability was agreed to. In addition, a local community group of HAM Radio operators known as the Glendale Emergency Auxiliary Radio Service (GEARS) has been made aware of this program and support its addition to our current radio cache.
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FISCAL IMPACT
The High-Frequency Communications Equipment Program Grant in the amount of $59,770, was not included as a part of the FY 2022-23 approved budget. Therefore, staff is requesting for an appropriation of $59,770 from grant revenue. The appropriation request is outlined below.
Requesting Appropriation
Amount From (Account
String)
To (Account String) Funding Source
$59,770 GL:31240-2650-
GFD-0020-P0000
PL:GFD00809AG
GL:51000-2650-
GFD-0020-P0000
PL:GFD00809AG
Fire Grant Fund
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW (CEQA/NEPA)
This item is considered a ministerial activity and therefore, not subjected to CEQA/NEPA review. There is no possibility that the acceptance of this award may have a significant effect on the environment. (14 Cal. Code Regs. § 15061(b)(3)).
CAMPAIGN DISCLOSURE
This item is exempt from campaign disclosure requirements.
ALTERNATIVES
1. Approve the motion accepting grant funding and resolution of appropriations.
2. Pursue funding for a similar project without the use of these funds
ADMINISTRATIVE ACTION
Prepared by:
Jonathan Payne, Fire Captain
Approved by:
Roubik R. Golanian, P.E., City Manager
EXHIBITS/ATTACHMENTS