PURPOSE:

To request City Council approval of a proposed resolution that authorizes the City Manager to accept a grant from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) for the 2005 Buffer Zone Protection Plan (BZPP) and amend the fiscal year 2005-06 budget by appropriating funds.

BACKGROUND/ANALYSIS:

In 2004, the DHS with the approval of the President, allocated $91 million in future grant dollars to secure critical infrastructures and key resources within the United States.  California received a large portion of that money and potential terrorist targets were identified by federal and state law enforcement personnel.  During preliminary discussions, the California Highway Patrol representing our area identified the Burbank Town Center as a possible target for terrorist activity due to its traffic volume and lack of physical security.  They additionally identified the Galleria in Glendale as a target for the same reasons.  Each site selected could be awarded up to $50,000 in grant monies to be used to assist the local police and fire jurisdictions with equipment and training to �harden the target� by developing a �buffer zone� around the area and/or assist in a critical incident response to the site.

On June 1, 2005, the Burbank Police Department began participating in the BZPP grant process.  On February 27, 2006, the City of Burbank was approved for $47,287.50.  All monies involved were required to have been pre-designated for use under the Vulnerability Reduction Purchasing Plan (VRPP) that was submitted with the BZPP application.

During the development of the grant application, a threat assessment of the Town Center was conducted by staff using DHS guidelines.  An inspection of the police department�s response capabilities determined that the addition of specific detection and rescue equipment would enhance and facilitate our defense and response to the Town Center site.  The items listed in the VRPP are:

1)     A handheld air sampler to be used to detect explosives, chemicals, and biological weapons.  The device allows police personnel to inspect packages with minimal intrusion and can protect both citizens and first responders from a potential physical threat.  This would also reduce the need for a response from the LASD Explosive Ordinance Detail to a call for assistance.  This device can also be used by Airport Police, as needed.

2)     Portable tactical cameras with fiber optic and thermal imaging capability that can be used to search confined areas with minimal intrusion and in low-light. Cameras can be used to search for improvised explosive devices or weapons as well as trapped citizens within collapsed buildings, etc.  Additionally, they can be used by forensic teams to search for evidence at crime scenes when the deployment of personnel is not feasible.

FISCAL IMPACT:

Accepting the grant funds amends the City�s Fund 001 revenue estimate by $47,287.50, account 001-ND000-48010-1069 (Intergovernmental Revenue � State Domestic Preparedness Grant).  In addition, it appropriates the grant funding to Oracle Project Number 001-PD01A-70011-0000-16827.  The monies awarded will be reimbursed to the City of Burbank by February 2007, upon submission of expense receipts for the items listed in the VRPP.

RECOMMENDATION:

Staff recommends City Council adoption of a proposed resolution entitled:

A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BURBANK AMENDING THE FISCAL YEAR 2005-06 BUDGET FOR THE PURPOSE OF RECEIVING AND APPROPRIATING FISCAL YEAR 2005 HOMELAND SECURITY GRANT PROGRAM GRANT FUNDS IN THE AMOUNT OF $47,287.50 FROM THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY FOR THE 2005 BUFFER ZONE PROTECTION PLAN (BZPP)

THOMAS HOEFEL

Chief of Police

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