Title
a. Support the Sheriff’s acceptance of $350,000 from the City and County of San Francisco FY 2024 UASI Grant Funds; and
b. Support approving an increase in appropriations and estimated revenues of $350,000 in the Sheriff’s FY 2025-26 Adopted Budget (001-2300-SHE001-8242), financed by the City and County of San Francisco FY 2024 UASI Grant Funds.
Report
RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended that the Budget Committee:
a. Support the Sheriff’s acceptance of $350,000 from the City and County of San Francisco FY 2024 UASI Grant Funds; and
b. Support approving an increase in appropriations and estimated revenues of $350,000 in the Sheriff’s FY 2025-26 Adopted Budget (001-2300-SHE001-8242), financed by the City and County of San Francisco FY 2024 UASI Grant Funds.
SUMMARY/DISCUSSION:
The Monterey County Sheriff’s Office (MCSO) requests to increase the FY 2025-2026 adopted budget by increasing appropriations and revenues in the amount of $350,000, financed by the City and County of San Francisco FY 2024 UASI Grant Funds.
The City and County of San Francisco is the fiscal agent for the Approval Authority, acting by and through the San Francisco Department of Emergency Management (DEM), as such the contract for the UASI Grant is via a contract with the City and County of San Francisco. The City and County of San Francisco as such has granted the Monterey County Sheriff’s Office $350,000 for the purchase of a bomb robot.
The bomb robot is an invaluable tool outfitted with the technology necessary to meet today’s law enforcement demands in remotely inspecting and rendering suspicious devices safe.
Assessing an explosive threat without a robot can be extremely hazardous and physically exhausting for a bomb technician. The protective bomb suits worn by bomb techs are heavy, physically restrictive, and do not provide complete ballistic protection. The bomb suits cause fatigue and heat stress on the bomb technician. Therefore, limiting the time a bomb technician spends inside a bomb suit is paramount during EOD operations. A robot would safely complete many of the tasks a bomb tech would traditionally be required to do, such as taking x-ray images, opening containers or doors, manipulating valves, and/or rendering a device safe.
The robot offers an array of high-definition cameras and an intuitive controller, which makes piloting the robot through challenging environments much safer.
The robot is a viable option to enter locations that have been deemed too dangerous for first responders to enter. Common applications such as a scene suspected of containing booby traps, HAZMAT leaks, improvised explosive materials/devices, secondary explosive devices, or a barricaded suspect would be routinely assessed without risking human life.
In addition, the robot would also be routinely utilized as a reconnaissance tool to gain valuable intelligence from scenes within high-risk environments for bomb technicians and command staff to make informed decisions.
The City and County of San Francisco requested the County sign the agreement first since they are providing the funding to the County.
The delay in this agreement is due to the challenges, delay in communication, and the introduction of a new grant administration processes by UASI, DEM, and the City and County of San Francisco.
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT/COMMITTEE ACTIONS:
The Office of County Counsel has reviewed and advised on this Agreement as to legal form. The Auditor-Controller has reviewed and approved the Agreement as to fiscal provisions.
FINANCING:
The Sheriff’s Office is asking support from the Budget Committee to increase appropriations and estimated revenues of the Adopted Budget for FY 2025-26 in the amount of $350,000, financed by the City and County of San Francisco FY 2024 UASI Grant Funds. There will be no increase in the General Fund Contribution resulting from this Board action
Prepared by: Arthur Curtright, MA III, ext. #3708
Reviewed by: Jason Smith, Chief Deputy, ext. #3801
Reviewed by: Eric Bixler, Chief Deputy, ext. #3754
Reviewed by: Keith Boyd, Undersheriff, ext. #3859
Approved by: Tina M. Nieto, Sheriff/Coroner, ext. #3750
Attachments:
Budget Committee Report
City and County of San Francisco FY 2024 UASI Grant Funds Agreement