PURPOSE:

The purpose of this report is to request City Council authorization for the Fire Department to accept a $9,600 Hazardous Materials Emergency Planning (HMEP) Grant and amend the Fiscal Year (FY) 2006-07 Budget by appropriating funds.

BACKGROUD:

Federal Hazardous Material Law authorizes the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) to provide assistance to public sector employees through training and planning grants.  The purpose of the HMEP grant program is to increase effectiveness in safely and efficiently handling hazardous materials accidents and incidents; enhance implementation of the Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act of 1986 (EPCRA); and encourage a comprehensive approach to emergency training and planning by incorporating the unique challenges of responses to transportation situations.  This is a performance based grant that builds on and supports accomplishments of long-term goals and objectives.

Projects eligible for HMEP grants include development, improvement and implementation of emergency plans, as well as exercises that test the emergency plans, hazards analysis, response procedures for emergencies involving transportation of hazardous materials, needs assessment for regional hazardous materials emergency response teams, assessment of local response capabilities, conducting emergency response drills and exercises associated with emergency preparedness plans.

DISCUSSION:

The Burbank Fire Department is seeking HMEP funding to update the City�s Hazardous Materials Area Plan.  The plan was last updated in Fiscal Year 2003-04, and the State of California Health and Safety Code Section 25503(d) mandates that local jurisdictions review, certify and update their Hazardous Materials Area Plan every three years.  Updating the plan ensures that the City of Burbank remains in compliance with State requirements and incorporates changes that may have come about as a result of changing regulations or legislation. 

FISCAL IMPACT:

This is a reimbursement grant which requires a twenty percent match on the part of the city.  The total estimated cost to update the City�s Hazardous Materials Area Plan is $12,000, with the HMEP grant covering $9,600. The remaining $2,400 in projects costs will be absorbed from the Fire Department�s existing general fund budget.  The Department will be required to quarterly reports, invoices and reimbursement requests within 15 days of the end of each quarter. The final report indicating completion of the project must be submitted no later than October 15, 2007.  There are no recurring expenses related to this project.

At this time, Staff is requesting that City Council accept the grant and appropriate $9,600 from revenue account 001.FD000.48010.1999 (Grants - Miscellaneous) to Fire Department account number 001.FD01B.62170 to facilitate grant expenditures. 

RECOMMENDATION:

Staff recommends that the City Council adopt the resolution accepting the grant and amending

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