MEMO TO: Members of the City Council
FROM: Mayor John Marchione
SUBJECT:
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Acceptance of Emergency Management Performance Grant (EMPG) in the Amount of $34,853
I. RECOMMENDED ACTION
recommendation
Accept Federal Fiscal Year 2018 Emergency Management Performance Grant (EMPG) in the amount of $34,853.00
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II. DEPARTMENT CONTACTS
Tommy F. Smith, Fire Chief; 425-556-2202
Pattijean Hooper, Emergency Manager; 425-556-2219
Debbie Newman, Fire Support Program Coordinator; 425-556-2259
III. DESCRIPTION/BACKGROUND
The City of Redmond Emergency Management Division (EMD) has been awarded a grant for $34,853.00 for Federal Fiscal Year (FFY) 2018. These funds are appropriated by Congress and passed through the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the Emergency Management Division of the Washington State Military Department (WAEMD) to local government emergency management programs. The grant is not competitive and is awarded to all eligible Emergency Management Organizations as specified in the Washington Administrative Code (WAC). Redmond has applied for and received this grant every year for well over a decade.
Two years ago, the FFY 2016 grant completed a three-year phase-in of a new Washington State per-capita-based funding method. The formula routes a minimum of funds to the least populated counties and consequently reduced funding for more populous areas compared to the old funding model.
Recent Redmond EMPG award history:
FFY 2013, $45,478 (prior funding method based on Redmond Emergency Management budget)
FFY 2014, $41,609 (year 1 phase-in)
FFY 2015, $37,355 (year 2 phase-in)
FFY 2016, $33,932 (year 3 phase-in, per-capita formula in full effect)
FFY 2017, $34,389 (per-capita formula)
FFY 2018, $34,853 (per-capita formula)
Award amounts are based on numbers that may change each year:
• EMPG award to Washington State for the fiscal year (increased from $6.81 million to $7.25 million between FFY 2013 and the FFY 2016 grant cycle).
• Official population estimates established annually by the WA State Office of Financial Management (Washington State, King County, and Redmond population numbers have been on the rise).
Future funding is unknown. Washington State Emergency Management Division warns that Homeland Security Grants like EMPG may receive drastic cuts by the U.S. Congress in the near future.
These funds are supplemental in nature and cannot supplant city funding within the emergency management budget.
Changes regarding the new funding model took effect in the Washington Administrative Code (WAC) in May 2014:
• WAC 118-09 “Criteria for Eligibility and Allocation of Emergency Management Assistance Funds”
• WAC 118-30 “Local Emergency Management/Services Organizations, Plans and Programs”
IV. PREVIOUS DISCUSSIONS HELD
Previous years of this annual grant were accepted by Redmond City Council May 19, 2015; May 17, 2016; May 2, 2017; and December 5, 2017.
V. IMPACT
A. Service/Delivery:
None.
B. Fiscal Note:
The grant requires a dollar for dollar match, which the city already surpasses in Emergency Management salaries. Acceptance of this grant from the US Department of Homeland Security in the amount of $34,853.00 will provide financial support needed for continuity of operations and continuity of government planning and preparation, hiring subject matter experts for specific projects, and for the tools and mentorship necessary to complete the Emergency Management Accreditation Program.
VI. ALTERNATIVES TO STAFF RECOMMENDATION
A. Accept the grant in the amount of $34,853.00 (recommended).
B. Decline the grant.
C. Decline the grant and use City of Redmond budget funding.
VII. TIME CONSTRAINTS
The FFY 2018 grant contract is effective from June 1, 2018, through August 31, 2019.
VIII. LIST OF ATTACHMENTS
Attachment A: FFY18 Emergency Management Performance Grant