Title
a. Approve and Authorize the Director of Emergency Management to execute a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Cities of Oakland, San Jose, and San Francisco and the Counties of Alameda, Contra Costa, Marin, San Mateo, Santa Clara, and Sonoma that provides governance structures and procedures for application, allocation and distribution of federal Urban Area Security Initiative (UASI) programs and reappoints a primary and alternate member to the UASI Approval Authority; and
b. Appoint the County of Monterey Department of Emergency Management Director of Emergency Management as the primary representative to the UASI Approval Authority; and
c. Appoint the County of Monterey Sheriff’s Office Chief Deputy of Administrative Services as the secondary Approval Authority member.
Report
RECOMMENDATION:
a. Approve and Authorize the Director of Emergency Management to execute a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Cities of Oakland, San Jose, and San Francisco and the Counties of Alameda, Contra Costa, Marin, San Mateo, Santa Clara, and Sonoma that provides governance structures and procedures for application, allocation and distribution of federal Urban Area Security Initiative (UASI) programs and reappoints a primary and alternate member to the UASI Approval Authority; and
b. Appoint the County of Monterey Department of Emergency Management Director of Emergency Management as the primary representative to the UASI Approval Authority; and
c. Appoint the County of Monterey Sheriff’s Office Chief Deputy of Administrative Services as the secondary Approval Authority member.
SUMMARY:
Department of Emergency Management is seeking approval to enter into a Memorandum of Understanding with the Cities of Oakland, San Jose and San Francisco and the Counties of Alameda, Contra Costa, Marin, San Mateo, Santa Clara, and Sonoma that will provide governance structures and procedures for application, allocation and distribution of federal Urban Area Security Initiative (UASI) funding.
DISCUSSION:
The current MOU adopted in 2021 expires November 30, 2025. Because of this, it is necessary for the member agencies to enter into a new MOU for a term of December 1, 2025, to November 30, 2030, unless sooner terminated. The Bay Area UASI Management Team prepared a 2025 MOU and presented it at their September 18, 2025, meeting of the Approval Authority of the Bay Area UASI. The United States Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has a Homeland Security Grant Program, which includes the Urban Areas Security Initiative (UASI) Program. This program addresses the unique planning, equipment, training, and exercise needs of high-threat, high-density “Urban Areas” and assists those areas in building enhanced and sustainable resources to prevent, protect against, respond to, and recover from threats and acts of terrorism. DHS requires each Urban Area receiving grant funds to establish an Urban Area Working Group (UAWG) acting as an executive steering committee and providing overall governance of the UASI Program across the regional area encompassed within the defined Urban Area.
In 2006, the core cities and counties of the Bay Area Urban Area (San Francisco, Oakland, San Jose, Alameda, and Santa Clara) entered into an MOU setting forth their agreements regarding the objectives, governance structures, responsibilities, and financial agreements used in applying for, allocating, and distributing UASI grant funds to the Bay Area Urban Area. The MOU established the Bay Area UASI Approval Authority as the oversight body and the UAWG of the Bay Area Urban Area. The 2006 MOU designated the City and County of San Francisco as the “primary” grantee, and the fiscal agent for UASI funds.
After the expiration of the 2006 MOU, the parties entered into MOUs in 2007, 2011, 2013, 2017, and 2021. Several additional Bay Area agencies have been added as members to the Approval Authority in subsequent MOUs, including The County of Monterey that has been a party to the MOU July 2021.
The Approval Authority unanimously approved the proposed 2025 MOU to be forwarded to all member agencies’ governing bodies for approval and execution and now requires the additional California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) statement as noted below.
CALIFORNIA ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY ACT (CEQA):
This action is not a project within the meaning of CEQA pursuant to CEQA Guidelines and therefore is not subject to CEQA. Specifically, this item involves only the organization and administrative activities of the Bay Area UASI and will not result in a direct or reasonably foreseeable indirect physical change in the environment.
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT/COMMITTEE ACTIONS:
The Monterey County Sheriff’s Office has volunteered the position of Chief Deputy of Administrative Services to serve on the Approval Authority as the alternate to the Director of Emergency Management. Jurisdictional involvement includes membership on various working groups by local Fire Departments, Fire Districts, Police Departments, and NGOs as part of the regional planning for the UASI.
FINANCING:
Approval of this resolution will have no impact to the Department of Emergency Managements FY 2025-26 Adopted Budget.
BOARD OF SUPERVISORS STRATEGIC PLAN GOALS:
One or two sentences explaining how this recommendation supports/advances the Board of Supervisors Strategic Plan Goals. Reference to any Key Objectives and/or Milestones that are related.
Mark a check to the related Board of Supervisors Strategic Plan Goals [Include one or two sentences referencing the Ordinance, Code, Board Order/Resolution, etc. in relation to this selection]:
X Well-Being and Quality of Life
X Sustainable Infrastructure for the Present and Future
X Safe and Resilient Communities
Diverse and Thriving Economy
If does not fall under any of the above Board of Supervisors Strategic Plan Goals (Other):
X Administrative
Promote an organization committed to operational and fiscal responsibility, and responsive public service
Prepared by: April Rodriguez, Management Analyst II, x1923
Approved by: Kelsey Scanlon, Director of Emergency Management, x1902
Approved by: Michael Beaton, Assistant County Administrative Officer, x3835
Attachments:
Attachment: A Resolution
Attachment: B 2025 Bay Area UASI Master MOU-County of Monterey