Sponsor: Sheriff's Office
Title
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Grant Agreement with the Minnesota Department of Public Safety for the Urban Areas Security Initiative
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Recommendation
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1. Ratify the submittal of the grant application to the Minnesota Department of Public Safety, Homeland Security and Emergency Management Division, for the Urban Areas Security Initiative.
2. Accept the grant award and approve the grant agreement with the Minnesota Department of Public Safety for the Urban Areas Security Initiative for the period upon execution through June 30, 2026, in the amount of $200,000.
3. Authorize the Chair and the Chief Clerk to execute the grant agreement.
4. Authorize the County Manager to execute amendments to the agreement in accordance with the County’s procurement policies and procedures, provided the amounts are within the limits of available funding.
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Background and Rationale
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On May 22, 2024, the Ramsey County Sheriff’s Office applied for a grant funding opportunity through the Urban Area Security Initiative (UASI) program. UASI is a federally funded program of the United States Department of Homeland Security (DHS). Established over 20 years ago, the UASI program is designed to assist high-density urban areas in efforts to build and sustain the capabilities necessary to prevent, protect against, mitigate, respond to, and recover from acts of terrorism and other hazards. Grant funds provide financial assistance to support multi-discipline planning and organization efforts as well as equipment, training, and exercise needs in urban communities.
This year, the UASI grant program set aside separate funds in a competitive pool for public safety agencies. A requirement of the competitive pool application process was that proposals must strengthen planning, risk management, and/or emergency management programs; strengthen regional all hazard response capabilities; enhance recovery capabilities; and, strengthen community preparedness and resilience. The project needed to support a regional need and include a reasonable funding model for implementation and maintenance. The Sheriff’s Office requested partial funding for a specialized emergency rescue vehicle (ERV) to replace the current Mine-Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) vehicle. An ERV is a specially designed protective (armored) vehicle used by first responders while actively responding to critical, life-threatening, and emergency incidents, such as hostage situations, barricaded suspects, active shooters, and dignitary protection. A cooperative contract is available to purchase the ERV.
On May 30, 2024, the Sheriff’s Office presented the grant application request to the UASI Urban Area Working Group (UAWG) Competitive Project Review Committee. The UAWG determined that the Sheriff’s Office request to be their highest rated priority competitive project. The UAWG forwarded the application to the Commissioner of Public Safety for review. The Commissioner concurred and grants funds were awarded. One aspect of the grant application that was reviewed as extremely appreciated was the cost sharing funding model which emphasizes local commitments that help to maximize the use of grant funds. The UAWG was impressed by this commitment.
On October 9, 2024, the Sheriff’s Office was notified that grant funds were awarded through the UASI program in the amount of $200,000 with the county’s share totaling $100,000, which will be funded by a reallocation of funds previously approved in the Sheriff’s Office 2025 operating budget.
The project emphasizes the regional application of UASI grant funds, commitment of the Sheriff’s Office, and the communities served, and provides the opportunity to replace an aged and expensive piece of militaristic equipment with a modern, cost-effective piece of civilian equipment that continues to protect responders and the public, and meets an identified capability need of the Twin Cities region. The ERV will serve as a regional asset available to respond to every community in times of need and provide additional lifesaving protections for first responders and residents during critical, life-threatening, and emergency incidents.
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County Goals (Check those advanced by Action)
☒ Well-being ☐ Prosperity ☐ Opportunity ☒ Accountability
Racial Equity Impact
Ramsey County recognizes that racially and ethnically diverse communities can be particularly vulnerable to acts of terrorism, disaster, or other hazards. Among the other goals, the county seeks to increase the resilience of vulnerable communities. This request for board action seeks to strengthen individual, family, and community safety and well-being.
Community Participation Level and Impact
On June 6, 2024, the Sheriff’s Office presented this project before the Capital Improvement Program Citizens’ Advisory Committee (CIPAC). Committee members supported this project. In addition, this project was presented to the Contract Communities and supported.
☒ Inform ☐ Consult ☐ Involve ☐ Collaborate ☐ Empower
Fiscal Impact
The estimated cost for an ERV is approximately $450,000. The financing plan outlined in this request leverages levy and non-levy dollars in a way that models fiscal accountability, transparency, and strategic investments. The proposed funding plan includes the following sources: (a) $200,000 from UASI grant program; (b) $100,000 from a reallocation of funds previously approved in the Sheriff’s Office 2025 operating budget; (c) $100,000 from the communities that contract with the Sheriff’s Office for law enforcement and public safety services (Law Enforcement Services Fund); and (d) $50,000 from revenue associated with regional response services. This robust financing plan includes a combination of grant funding and other revenue sources, including the communities that contract with the Sheriff’s Office for law enforcement and public safety services (the cities of Arden Hills, Little Canada, North Oaks, Shoreview, Vadnais Heights, and Township of White Bear) as well as the communities and organizations that support joint emergency regional response services (the cities of Maplewood, Mounds View, New Brighton, North Saint Paul, Roseville, Saint Anthony, and White Bear Lake, as well as Metro Transit and the University of Minnesota).
Last Previous Action
On April 5, 2022, the Ramsey County Board of Commissioners accepted a grant award from and approved a grant agreement with the Minnesota Department of Public Safety, Homeland Security and Emergency Management for the 2022 Urban Area Security Initiative for the period of January 1, 2022 through June 30, 2023 in the amount of $409,500 (Resolution B2022-085).
Attachments
1. Grant Agreement