STAFF REPORT
Meeting Date:
October 14, 2025
CONSENT
10 SUBJECT: HOMELAND SECURITY GRANT PROGRAM (OPSG) OPERATION ORDER NUMBER 23-SDCSDC-08-002
RECOMMENDATION: It is recommended that the City Council:
1. Authorize the City Manager, or designee, to accept a $121,000 grant from Homeland Security Grant Program, Operation Stonegarden (OPSG);
2. Appropriate $121,000, with a matching increase in estimated grant revenue, to fund overtime salaries and the purchase of equipment and supplies to support coastline patrols by Laguna Beach Police Department to reduce maritime narcotic smuggling, human trafficking and other related crimes; and
3. Find that the recommended action is not subject to the California Environmental Quality Act pursuant to Section 15378 of the CEQA Guidelines.
SUMMARY OF THE MATTER
This report recommends that the City Council authorize acceptance of a $121,000 grant award from the Homeland Security Grant Program, Operation Stonegarden (OPSG), and appropriate the full amount to support Laguna Beach Police Department overtime operations and the purchase of public safety equipment and supplies.
The funding will enhance coastline patrols to deter maritime narcotics trafficking and related crimes. No City match is required. The action is consistent with the City’s Public Safety priority and has been determined not to be a project under CEQA Guidelines Section 15378.
DISCUSSION
Background:
The Laguna Beach Police Department applied for and has been awarded a $121,000 grant through the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s OPSG Program. This funding is part of the broader Homeland Security Grant Program, which supports local law enforcement agencies in border security and maritime interdiction efforts.
Grant Details:
The funding supports the following activities:
• Conducting 12 patrol operations in the City and County of Orange, consisting of two offices, one supervisor, and an emergency dispatcher ($35,572)
• Acquisition of one fully outfitted police vehicle ($60,000) • Purchase of an Automated License Plate Recognition (ALPR) system ($20,000) • Fringe benefits ($515)
• Mileage reimbursement for patrol vehicles ($4,913)
HOMELAND SECURITY GRANT PROGRAM (OPSG) OPERATION ORDER NUMBER 23- SDCSDC-08-002
October 14, 2025
The grant period is from September 9, 2023, to August 31, 2026. No City matching funds are required.
FINANCIAL ANALYSIS
The City has been awarded a $121,000 grant from the Federal Emergency Management Agency through the Homeland Security Grant Program (Operation Stonegarden). The recommended action includes an appropriation of $121,000 in expenditures, with a corresponding increase in estimated grant revenue to offset costs. No General Fund contribution is required, and there is no net fiscal impact to the City’s operating budget.
The grant includes funding for a fully outfitted police vehicle. Ongoing maintenance and operating costs associated with this vehicle will be absorbed within the Police Department’s existing vehicle maintenance budget and are not expected to require additional appropriations at this time.
The following appropriation adjustments are recommended:
Fund Account Amount Description
General Fund 1102100-45000-G2503 ($121,000) Homeland Security Grant Revenue General Fund 1102102-72068-G2503 $121,000 Homeland Security Program Costs Net Impact $0
ENVIRONMENTAL ANALYSIS
The proposed action is not subject to the California Environmental Quality Act (Public Resources Code section 21000 et seq.) ("CEQA") because it does not qualify as a "project" under CEQA. State CEQA Guidelines Section 15378 defines a project as an activity that "has a potential for resulting in either a direct physical change in the environment, or a reasonably foreseeable indirect physical change in the environment." (State CEQA Guidelines, § 15378(a).) Section 15378 explicitly excludes from its definition of "project" "organizational or administrative activities of governments that will not result in direct or indirect physical changes in the environment." (State CEQA Guidelines, § 15378(b)(5).)
ATTACHMENTS
1. Operation Order Number 23-SDCSDC-08-002 Memorandum (Pgs. 3-47) Submitted By: Jeff Calvert Approved: David A Kiff
Jeff Calvert, Police Chief Dave Kiff, City Manager
Report Prepared By: Coordinated With:
Jesse Schmidt, Police Lieutenant Mike Peters, Police Captain