HomeMy WebLinkAboutPR 24117: APPLYING FOR FY25 LETPA GRANT : \ 'i'
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INTEROFFICE MEMORANDUM
Date: January 10, 2025
To: The Honorable Mayor and City Council
Through: Ronald Burton, CPM, City Manager
From: Timothy W. Duriso, Chief of Police
RE: P.R. 24117 -Applying for FY25 LETPA Grant
Introduction:
The intent of this Agenda Item is to authorize the City Manager to apply for the FY25 State
Homeland Security Program (SHSP-L), Law Enforcement Terrorism Prevention Activity
(LETPA) Program grant.
Background:
The State Homeland Security Program, (SHSP) made announcement to solicit application for
projects that support state and local efforts to prevent terrorism and targeted violence and prepare
for the threats and hazards that pose the greatest risk to the security of Texas citizens. The FY25
(SHSP-L) grant purpose is to support state,tribal,and local preparedness activities that continue
to build law enforcement capabilities to prevent terrorist attacks and provide law enforcement
and public safety communities with funds to support critical prevention and protections
activities. The deadline to apply for funding through the FY 25 (SHSP-L) grant is February 13,
2025.
Budget Impact:
The grant offers funding ranging from a minimum of$10,000.00 to a maximum of$120,000.00,
with no cash match requirement.
"Remember,we are here to serve the Citizens of Port Arthur"
P.O.Box 1089 X Port Arthur,Texas 77641-1089 X 409.983.8101 X FAX 409.982.6743
City of
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Recommendation:
It is recommended that City Council approve the City Manager's decision to apply for the FY25
State Homeland Security Program (SHSP), Law Enforcement Terrorism Prevention (LETPA)
grant, as discussed and/or outline above.
"Remember,we are here to serve the Citizens of Port Arthur"
P.O.Box 1089 X Port Arthur,Texas 77641-1089 X 409.983.8101 X FAX 409.982.6743
P.R. No.24117
01-10-25 JLH
RESOLUTION NO.
A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO APPLY
FOR FISCAL YEAR 2025 STATE HOMELAND SECURITY PROGRAM
(SHSP) , LAW ENFORCEMENT TERRORISM PREVENTION
ACTIVITY PROGRAM (LETPA) FUNDING.
WHEREAS, the State Homeland Security program posted the
FY 2025 State Homeland Security Grant Program (SHSP) and Law
Enforcement Terrorism Prevention Activity Program (LETPA) ; and
WHEREAS, the purpose of SHSP-LETPA is to support state,
tribal and local preparedness activities that continue to
build law enforcement capabilities to prevent terrorist
attacks and provide law enforcement and public safety
communities with funds to support critical prevention and
protection activities; and
WHEREAS, the City Manager has the authority to apply for,
accept, reject, or terminate such grant funding on behalf of
the City of Port Arthur; and
WHEREAS, the application deadline to apply for funding
through the SHSP-LETPA grant is on February 13 , 2025; and
WHEREAS, the grant offers funding ranging from a minimum
of $10, 000 . 00 to a maximum of $120, 000 . 00, with no cash match
requirement .
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE
CITY OF PORT ARTHUR:
Section 1. That the facts and opinions in the preamble
are true and correct .
Section 2 . That the City Council hereby authorizes the
City Manager to apply to the Office of the Governor for Fiscal
P.R. No.24117
01-10-25 JLH
Year 2025 State Homeland Security Program (SHSP-L) , Law
Enforcement Terrorism Prevention Program (LETPA) funding.
Section 3 . That a copy of the Resolution shall be spread
upon the Minutes of the City Council .
READ, ADOPTED AND APPROVED on this day of January,
A.D. , 2025, at a Regular Meeting of the City Council of the
City of Port Arthur, Texas, by the following vote:
AYES:
Mayor:
Councilmembers : ,
,
NOES : .
Thurman Bill Bartie
Mayor
ATTEST:
Sherri Bellard, TRMC
City Secretary
APPROVED
Roxann Pais Cotroneo
City Attorney
P.R. No. 24117
01-10-25 JLH
APPROVED FOR AD . 4 ' i •N:
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Ronald Burton, CPjvI
City Mana er
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Timoth W. Duriso
Chief f Police
APPROVED FOR AVAILABILITY OF FINANCE:
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Lynda Boswell
Director of Finance
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P.R. No. 24117
01-10-25 JLH
EXHIBIT "A"
Name: Available
State Homeland 12/16/2024
Security Program -
LETPA Projects (SHSP
Due Date
L), Federal Fiscal Year 02/13/2025
2025
Purpose:
The purpose of this announcement is to solicit applications for projects that support state and
local efforts to prevent terrorism and targeted violence and prepare for the threats and hazards
that pose the greatest risk to the security of Texas citizens. PSO provides funding to implement
investments that build, sustain, and deliver the 32 core capabilities essential to achieving a secure
and resilient state.
Per Congressional mandate (911 Act), at least twenty-five percent (25%) of the combined
Homeland Security Grant Program funding must be used for Law Enforcement Terrorism
Prevention Activities (LETPA). FEMA has increased this requirement to 35%. This solicitation
supports state, tribal and local preparedness activities that continue to build law enforcement
capabilities to prevent terrorist attacks and provide law enforcement and public safety
communities with funds to support critical prevention and protection activities. All LETPA
investments must be consistent with capability targets set during the Threat and Hazard
Identification and Risk Assessment (THIRA) process, and gaps identified in the State Preparedness
Report (SPR).
The State Homeland Security Program-LEPTA (SHSP-L) is intended to support investments that
improve the ability of jurisdictions to:
• Prevent a threatened or actual act of terrorism; and/or
• Protect its citizens, residents, visitors, and assets against the greatest threats and hazards;
Prevention is defined as the capabilities necessary to avoid, prevent, or stop a threatened or actual
act of terrorism.
Many activities which support the achievement of target capabilities related to terrorism
preparedness may simultaneously support enhanced preparedness for other hazards unrelated to
acts of terrorism. However, all SHSP-LEPTA projects must assist grantees in achieving target
capabilities related to preventing or thwarting an initial or follow-on terrorist attack.
Available Funding:
Federal funds are authorized under Section 2002 of the Homeland Security Act of 2002, as
amended (Pub. L. No. 107-296), (6 U.S.C. 603). State Homeland Security Program (SHSP) funds are
made available through a Congressional appropriation to the United States Department of
Homeland Security (DHS). All awards are subject to the availability of appropriated federal funds
and any modifications or additional requirements that may be imposed by law.
Eligible Organizations:
1. State agencies;
2. Regional councils of governments;
3. Units of local government;
4. Nonprofit organizations;
5. Universities or Colleges; and
6. Federally recognized Native American tribes.
Application Process:
Applicants must access PSO's eGrants grant management website at https://eGrants.gov.texas.gov
to register and apply for funding.
1. For eligible local and regional projects:
• Applicants must contact their applicable regional council of governments (COG) regarding
their application.
• Each of Texas' 24 COGs holds its own application planning workshops, workgroups, and/or
subcommittees and facilitates application prioritization for certain programs within its region.
Failure to comply with regional requirements imposed by the COG may render an application
ineligible.
2. State agencies, and other organizations proposing projects to increase preparedness statewide,
may submit applications directly to PSO.
Key Dates:
Action Date
Funding Anouncemtent Release 12/16/2024
Online System Opening Date 12/16/2024
Final Date to Submit and Certify an 02/13/2025 at 5:00PM CST
Application
Earliest Project Start Date I 09/01/2025
Project Period:
Projects selected for funding must begin between September 1, 2025 and March 1, 2026, and
expire on or before August 31, 2027. Additional guidelines are below:
1. Project periods should be structured so that projects that include grant-funded salaries
and/or annual recurring costs do not overlap with the project periods of previous or future
grant awards with the same costs.
2. Project periods should be structured so that projects that include grant-funded salaries
and/or annual recurring costs are on a 12 or 24-month grant cycle/performance period.
3. Project periods for equipment only projects are generally awarded for a 6 to 12-month grant
period.
4. PSO will consider proposed start or end dates falling outside of these guidelines on a case-
by-case basis.
Funding Levels
Minimum: $10,000
Maximum: None. However, PSO uses a risk-based formula to determine regional allocations. Local
agencies should contact their regional COG for amounts historically available to the region and
any maximum established by their COG. Additionally, PSO expects to make available
approximately $1.5 — $2 million to state agencies in support of 10 - 15 projects under this
solicitation and the SHSP-Regular solicitation.
Match Requirement: None
Standards
Grantees must comply with standards applicable to this fund source cited in the Texas Grant
Management Standards (TxGMS), Federal Uniform Grant Guidance, and all statutes, requirements,
and guidelines applicable to this funding.
Eligible Activities and Costs
1. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has established National Priority Areas
(NPA) for the Homeland Security Grant Program and requires the State to dedicate at least 30% of
Texas' SHSP funds to projects under the NPAs. The NPAs and prescribed amounts for each NPA
are noted below. PSO anticipates these priorities will remain in place for the 2024 SHSP grant
cycle. Applicants are encouraged to submit projects under these National Priority Areas when the
primary core capability addressed is consistent with a National Priority Area description below.
Note: The National Priority Areas are subject to change without notice upon release of the federal
Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO).
2. Grant projects must be consistent with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)
Preparedness Grants Manual and Information Bulletin (IB)473 which discusses eligible activities
outlined in:
• The National Prevention Framework;
• The National Protection Framework where capabilities are shared with the prevention mission
area; and
• Section 2006 of the Homeland Security Act of 2002, as amended.
3. Grant projects must be consistent with the program purpose stated above and must be
submitted in support of one of the following approved activity areas:
a. Emergency Operations Centers and Technology
• Establishing and maintaining a unified and coordinated operational structure and process
that integrates critical stakeholders across and among all levels of government and with
critical private and nonprofit sectors to protect against potential threats, conduct law
enforcement investigations, or engage in enforcement, protective, and response activities.
• Implementing WebEOC and other situational awareness and decision support tools.
• Enhancing emergency operations centers.
• Conducting or participating in incident management training and/or exercises.
b. Information and Intelligence Sharing/Cooperation (NPA)
(Note:Applicants should submit Fusion Center projects under this Law Enforcement Terrorism
Prevention Activities (LETPA)solicitation.)
• Core Capability: Intelligence and Information Sharing
o Identifying, developing, providing, and sharing timely, accurate, and actionable
information, data, or knowledge among government or private sector entities to include
information sharing with all DHS components, fusion centers, and other entities
designated by DHS.
o Cooperation with DHS officials and other entities designated by DHS in intelligence,
threat recognition and analysis.
o Joint training and planning with DHS officials and other entities designated by DHS.
o Enabling interdiction and disruption of terrorist activity through enhanced understanding
and recognition of pre-operational activity and other crimes that may be precursors or
indicators of terrorist activity.
o Paying for personnel or contractors to serve as qualified intelligence analysts and/or to
participate in information, investigative, and intelligence sharing activities specifically
related to homeland security.
o Assessing threat information to inform continued prevention operations and ongoing
response activities.
o Implementing and maintaining suspicious activity reporting initiatives.
o Implementing or sustaining public information and warning systems to relay information
regarding terrorism threats.
c. Planning
• Developing state and regional risk and preparedness assessments, including those related to
special events.
• Core capability development planning, to include typing and tracking of equipment and
special response teams.
• Planning and execution of training and exercises focused on terrorism prevention, protection
and response.
• Multi jurisdictional operational planning to include plans for regional operational
coordination of terrorism prevention, protection, and response capabilities.
• Maintaining or updating Emergency Operations Plans, consistent with guidance in CPG
101.v2 and the whole community approach to security and emergency management.
• Planning for continuity of operations.
d. Protection of Soft Targets/Crowded Places (NPA)
• Core Capabilities: Operational Coordination; Public Information and Warning; Intelligence
and Information Sharing; Interdiction and Disruption; Screening, Search, and Detection
o Implementing target hardening and other measures associated with increased security to
mitigate risks at places where people gather, such as schools, workplaces, entertainment
venues, transportation nodes, and houses of worship.
o Assessing critical infrastructure vulnerabilities and interdependencies, particularly those
involving multiple sites and/or sectors.
o Planning, training, exercises, equipment, and modeling enabling responsible jurisdictions
to mitigate threats to and vulnerabilities of critical infrastructure facilities, assets,
networks, and systems.
o Analyzing critical infrastructure threats and information sharing with private sector
partners.
o Enhancing public awareness, education and communications, and increasing reporting of
suspicious activities related to critical infrastructure.
e. Support of First Responder Capabilities
Note: Because there is the potential for significant overlap between this activity area and the
FEMA National Priorities, applicants should first check whether their proposed project is consistent
with the description and core capabilities outlined for the National Priority Areas.
• Sustaining and enhancing capacity to detect and resolve threats involving chemical,
biological, radiological, nuclear and explosive (CBRNE) devices or weapons of mass
destruction (WMD).
• Sustaining and enhancing tactical teams including HAZMAT response and decontamination,
Urban Search and Rescue, and SWAT.
• Sustaining equipment needs, including personal protective equipment, WMD
pharmaceuticals, calibration and maintenance for WMD-related detection and identification
systems, and closely related investments to update or sustain current equipment.
• Sustaining and enhancing efforts to delay, divert, intercept, halt, apprehend, or secure threats
or hazards (includes capabilities related to Border Security).
• Coordinating regional training exercises with federal, state and local law enforcement
participation focused on responding to terrorism-related events and increasing participation
with community and business organizations.
• Identifying or locating terrorists through active and passive surveillance and search
procedures including systematic examinations and assessments, bio-surveillance, sensor
technologies, or physical investigation and intelligence.
f. Combating Domestic Violent Extremism (NPA)
• Core Capabilities: Interdiction & Disruption; Screening, Search and Detection; Intelligence
and Information Sharing; Planning; Public Information and Warning; Operational
Coordination
o Open source analysis of misinformation campaigns, targeted violence and threats to life,
including tips/leads, and online/social media-based threats.
o Sharing and leveraging intelligence and information, including open-source analysis.
o Execution and management of threat assessment programs to identify, evaluate, and
analyze indicators and behaviors indicative of domestic violent extremists.
o Training and awareness programs (e.g., through social media, SAR indicators and
behaviors) to educate the public on misinformation and disinformation campaigns and
resources to help them identify and report potential instances of domestic violent
extremism.
Program-Specific Requirements
1. All capabilities being built or sustained must have a clear link to one or more of the following
Core Capabilities in the National Preparedness Goal: Planning; Public Information and
Warning; Operational Coordination; Intelligence and Information Sharing; Interdiction and
Disruption; Screening, Search and Detection; and Forensics and Attribution.
2. Many capabilities which support terrorism preparedness simultaneously support preparedness
for other hazards. Grantees must demonstrate this dual-use quality for any activities implemented
under this program that are not explicitly focused on terrorism preparedness. Law Enforcement
Terrorism Prevention Activities implemented under SHSP must support terrorism preparedness by
building or sustaining capabilities that relate to the prevention of terrorism.
3. Grantees are required to maintain adoption and implementation of the National Incident
Management System (NIMS). The NIMS uses a systematic approach to integrate the best existing
processes and methods into a unified national framework for incident management across all
homeland security activities including prevention, protection, response, mitigation, and recovery.
Grantees must use standardized resource management concepts for resource typing,
credentialing, and an inventory to facilitate the effective identification, dispatch, deployment,
tracking and recovery of resources.
4. Cities and counties must have a current emergency management plan or be a legally
established member of an inter jurisdictional emergency management program with a plan on file
with the Texas Division of Emergency Management (TDEM). Plans must be maintained throughout
the entire grant performance period. If you have questions concerning your Emergency
Management Plan (preparedness) level, contact your Emergency Management Coordinator (EMC)
or your regional Council of Governments (COG). For questions concerning plan deficiencies,
contact TDEM at tdem.plans@tdem.texas.gov.
Eligibility Requirements
1. Local units of governments must comply with the Cybersecurity Training requirements
described in Section 772.012 and Section 2054.5191 of the Texas Government Code. Local
governments determined to not be in compliance with the cybersecurity requirements required by
Section 2054.5191 of the Texas Government Code are ineligible for OOG grant funds until the
second anniversary of the date the local government is determined ineligible. Government entities
must annually certify their compliance with the training requirements using the Cybersecurity.
Training Certification for State and Local Governments. A copy of the Training Certification must
be uploaded to your eGrants application. For more information or to access available training
programs, visit the Texas Department of Information Resources Statewide Cybersecurity
Awareness Training page.
2. Entities receiving funds from PSO must be located in a county that has an average of 90% or
above on both adult and juvenile dispositions entered into the computerized criminal history
database maintained by the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) as directed in the Texas Code
of Criminal Procedure, Chapter 66. The disposition completeness percentage is defined as the
percentage of arrest charges a county reports to DPS for which a disposition has been
subsequently reported and entered into the computerized criminal history system.
Counties applying for grant awards from the Office of the Governor must commit that the county
will report at least 90 percent of convictions within five business days to the Criminal Justice
Information System at the Department of Public Safety.
3. Eligible applicants operating a law enforcement agency must be current on reporting complete
UCR data and the Texas specific reporting mandated by 411.042 TGC, to the Texas Department of
Public Safety (DPS) for inclusion in the annual Crime in Texas (CIT) publication. To be considered
eligible for funding, applicants must have submitted a full twelve months of accurate data to DPS
for the most recent calendar year by the deadline(s) established by DPS. Due to the importance of
timely reporting, applicants are required to submit complete and accurate UCR data, as well as the
Texas-mandated reporting, on a no less than monthly basis and respond promptly to requests
from DPS related to the data submitted.
4. In accordance with Texas Government Code, Section 420.034, any facility or entity that collects
evidence for sexual assault or other sex offenses or investigates or prosecutes a sexual assault or
other sex offense for which evidence has been collected, must participate in the statewide
electronic tracking system developed and implemented by the Texas Department of Public Safety.
Visit DPS's Sexual Assault Evidence Tracking Program website for more information or to set up an
account to begin participating. Additionally, per Section 420.042 "A law enforcement agency that
receives evidence of a sexual assault or other sex offense...shall submit that evidence to a public
accredited crime laboratory for analysis no later than the 30th day after the date on which that
evidence was received." A law enforcement agency in possession of a significant number of Sexual
Assault Evidence Kits (SAEK) where the 30-day window has passed may be considered
noncompliant.
5. Eligible applicants must be registered in the federal System for Award Management (SAM)
database and have an UEI (Unique Entity ID) number assigned to its agency (to get registered in
the SAM database and request an UEI number, go to https://sam.gov/)
Failure to comply with program or eligibility requirements may cause funds to be withheld and/or
suspension or termination of grant funds.
Prohibitions
Grant funds may not be used to support the unallowable costs listed in the Guide to Grants or
any of the following unallowable costs:
1. inherently religious activities such as prayer, worship, religious instruction, or proselytization;
2. lobbying;
3. any portion of the salary of, or any other compensation for, an elected or appointed
government official;
4. vehicles or equipment for government agencies that are for general agency use and/or do
not have a clear nexus to terrorism prevention, interdiction, and disruption (i.e. mobile data
terminals, body cameras, in-car video systems, or radar units, etc. for officers assigned to
routine patrol; general firefighting equipment or uniforms);
5. weapons, ammunition, tasers, weaponized vehicles or explosives (exceptions may be granted
when explosives are used for bomb squad training);
6. weapons or weapons accessories to include but not limited to optics/sights, ammunition
pouches, slings, firearm silencers, bayonets, or other accessories designed for use with any
firearms/weapon;
7. admission fees or tickets to any amusement park, recreational activity or sporting event;
8. promotional items or gifts;
9. food, meals, beverages, or other refreshments, except for eligible per diem associated with
grant-related travel or where pre-approved for working events;
10. membership dues for individuals;
11. any expense or service that is readily available at no cost to the grant project;
12. any use of grant funds to replace (supplant) funds that have been budgeted for the same
purpose through non-grant sources;
13. fundraising;
14. legal services for adult offenders;
15. amateur radios and equipment, FMS radios, GMRS radios, Mobile ad hoc networks (MANETs),
or other radio equipment that is not P25 compliant;
16. riot equipment including but not limited to shields, batons, less-lethal ammunition, and
grenades designed or intended for dispersing crowds; and
17. any other prohibition imposed by federal, state, or local law.
Selection Process
Application Screening: PSO will screen all applications to ensure that they meet the
requirements included in the funding announcement.
1. For eligible local and regional projects:
• Each COG's homeland security advisory committee will prioritize all eligible applications using
the region's risk-informed methodology.
• PSO will accept priority listings that are approved by the COG's executive committee.
• PSO will make all final funding decisions based on eligibility, FEMA National Priorities, COG
priorities, reasonableness, availability of funding, and cost-effectiveness.
2. For statewide discretionary projects, applications will be reviewed by PSO staff members or a
review group selected by the executive director. PSO will make all final funding decisions based
on eligibility, reasonableness, availability of funding, and cost-effectiveness.
3. The State must designate at least 30% of available SHSP funding to projects supporting the
FEMA NPAs listed above as outlined in the FY 2024 HSGP guidance. PSO encourages the COG
regions to solicit projects to support each of the NPAs listed in this solicitation.
PSO may not fund all applications or may only award part of the amount requested. In the event
that funding requests exceed available funds, PSO may revise projects to address a more limited
focus.
Contact Information
For more information, contact the eGrants help desk at eGrants@_gov.texas.gov or (512) 463-1919.
Total Funds
$TBD