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7.1.B. - Page 1 <br /> REPORT <br /> To the Honorable Mayor and City Council <br /> From the City Manager <br /> May 12, 2014 <br /> SUBJECT <br /> Motion supporting the Enhancement of the Police Boat Program <br /> RECOMMENDATION <br /> 1. Authorize, by motion, staff to submit a grant application for a Port Security Grant <br /> Program to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS): Federal Emergency <br /> Management Agency (FEMA). <br /> 2. Authorize, by motion, the City Manager to execute related grant and project <br /> documents, accept funds, and allocate local funding to supplement the project budget <br /> for the Port Security Grant Program, if awarded. <br /> BACKGROUND <br /> In the late 1990's, the Redwood City Police Department began a Marine Unit to handle <br /> emergency and non-emergency responses to local waterways, marinas, and the Port of <br /> Redwood City. The Unit was established to assist the U.S. Coast Guard and provide a <br /> more timely response to local waterborne emergencies and rescue situations. In <br /> addition to emergency responses, the Marine Unit also conducts routine patrols and <br /> ensures local waterways are free of hazards and abandoned boats. <br /> The Police Department is in the process of enhancing its Marine Unit in order to meet <br /> the need of current and future expansion of calls for service in the Port of Redwood <br /> City. The existing police boat was purchased as a used boat to begin the program and <br /> will reach the projected useful hull life in 2016, as understood in the beginning of its <br /> commission. Additionally, other aspects of the boat are reaching the end of their <br /> serviceability maintenance costs will soon be increasing. The Marine Unit is currently <br /> understaffed and undertrained as a result of retirements, assignment changes and <br /> promotions. Recently, the Marine Unit selected 10 new members who await training <br /> and equipment outfitting. As the boating season approaches and the demands and <br /> expectations of the public increase, the Police Department endeavors to be ready to <br /> meet these challenges. <br /> On March 18, 2014, the Grant Programs Directorate (GPD), a component of the <br /> Department of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), <br /> announced the availability of the Fiscal Year (FY) 2014 Program Funding Opportunities. <br /> The FY 2014 Port Security Grant Program (PSGP) is one of the FY 2014 grant <br /> programs that directly support maritime transportation infrastructure security activities. <br /> The PSGP is one tool in the comprehensive set of measures authorized by Congress <br />