Agenda Item #13.2
For Council Meeting of: April 1, 2025
CITY OF SANTA ROSA
CITY COUNCIL
TO: MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL
FROM: BRIAN TICKNER, CHIEF INFORMATION OFFICER, INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY DEPARTMENT SUBJECT: GRANT APPLICATION TO THE CALIFORNIA GOVERNOR’S OFFICE OF EMERGENCY SERVICES FOR $250,000 UNDER THE STATE AND LOCAL CYBERSECURITY GRANT PROGRAM AGENDA ACTION: RESOLUTION
RECOMMENDATION
It is recommended by the Information Technology Department that the Council, by resolution: 1) authorize receipt of grant funding from the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services for the Federal FY 2022/2023 State and Local Cybersecurity Grant Program for the City of Santa Rosa’s cybersecurity program in the amount of $250,000; 2) authorize the City Manager or designee to accept the grant and execute any and all Grant Agreements and amendments thereto, and all other agreements or documents necessary for the completion of the project, subject to approval by the City Attorney; and 3) authorize the Chief Financial Officer to increase appropriations by the approved grant award amount.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The Information Technology (IT) Department prepared and submitted an application to the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES) for the State and Local Cybersecurity Grant Program (SLCGP). Cal OES selected the IT Department to receive funding for $250,000 to apply towards cybersecurity and network infrastructure initiatives. The SLCGP’s vision is to enhance and mature cybersecurity capability throughout California. The IT Department seeks to use the awarded funds to address the City of Santa Rosa’s critical cybersecurity-related needs including improving network security, enhancing advanced threat detection, identifying and addressing potential vulnerabilities, enhancing incident response capabilities, and better securing City systems and sensitive data.
The projects addressed with funding from this grant align with the Council Goals to “Create an Environment that Supports Staff and Operational Excellence”, “Invest in the Development and Maintenance of the City’s Infrastructure”, and “Foster a Safe, Healthy, and Inclusive Community.”
BACKGROUND
Through the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) of 2021, Congress enacted the State and Local Cybersecurity Improvement Act and appropriated $1 billion nationwide to be awarded over four years through the State and Local Cybersecurity Grant Program. This federal grant program is jointly administered by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the federal Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA). On behalf of the state of California, Cal OES acts as the state’s Administrate Agency and is responsible for administering the funds pursuant to California’s SLCGP allocation.
On September 26, 2024, the IT Department submitted a Notice of Interest application to Cal OES, seeking the maximum amount available of $250,000 with no local match requirement. On December 24, 2024, the City was notified of being selected to receive funding through the Federal FY 2022/2023 SL Program of the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services in the amount of $250,000, subject to submittal of the application and other required documents.
PRIOR CITY COUNCIL REVIEW
Not applicable.
ANALYSIS
The necessity of this funding lies in the increasing frequency and sophistication of cyberattacks targeting local municipalities. As the City of Santa Rosa continues to become more reliant on digital infrastructure to deliver essential services, the risk of cyber threats disrupting these services grows. By increasing our investment in cybersecurity measures, the City can better protect its critical infrastructure, safeguard sensitive data, and ensure the continuity of essential services.
As part of administering this grant on behalf of the City, at the direction of the Chief Information Officer, IT staff will be responsible for working with the assigned Cal OES staff to ensure administration and compliance of the grant, including preparing and providing the required performance progress reports on an annual basis.
FISCAL IMPACT
An award amount of $250,000 has been initially approved by the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services. There are no matching fund requirements for this grant and all activities funded with this award must be completed by December 2026.
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT
Pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15378, the proposed action is not a “project” subject to the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) because it does not have a potential for resulting in either a direct physical change in the environment or a reasonably foreseeable indirect physical change in the environment. In the alternative, the proposed action is exempt from CEQA pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15061(b)(3) because it can be seen with certainty that there is no possibility that the project may have a significant effect on the environment.
BOARD/COMMISSION/COMMITTEE REVIEW AND RECOMMENDATIONS
Not applicable.
NOTIFICATION
Not applicable.
ATTACHMENTS
Attachment 1 - Standard Assurances For Cal OES Federal Non-Disaster Grant Programs Resolution
PRESENTER
Brian Tickner, Chief Information Officer
GRANT APPLICATION TO THE CALIFORNIA GOVERNOR’S OFFICE OF EMERGENCY SERVICES FOR $250,000 UNDER THE STATE AND LOCAL CYBERSECURITY GRANT PROGRAM PAGE 3 OF 3