Meeting_Body
PLANNING AND PROGRAMMING COMMITTEE
OCTOBER 14, 2015
Subject/Action
SUBJECT: FY 2015 FEDERAL HOMELAND SECURITY PROGRAM
ACTION: APPROVE PROGRAMMING RECOMMENDATION
Heading
RECOMMENDATION
Title
PLANNING AND PROGRAMMING COMMITTEE RECOMMENDED (4-0) approving programming of up to $6.521 million from fiscal year (FY) 2015 Federal Department of Homeland Security (DHS) - Transit Security Grant Program (TSGP) funds that are available for the eligible operating project, as shown in Attachment A.
Issue
ISSUE
The Board of Directors must approve the programming of up to $6.521 million in federal transit security grant funding for the eligible operating project, before we can begin to draw down such funding according to grant guidance. The funding will implement the sustainment of the Threat Interdiction Unit.
Discussion
DISCUSSION
In July 2015, DHS announced awards from Congress that appropriated $87 million through the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2012, Division D (Public Law 112-74). The TSGP is one of the DHS FY 2015 grant programs that directly support transportation infrastructure security activities. The process for applying for these funds was competitive. We were awarded $6.521 million out of the appropriated funds for TSGP.
Federal TSGP Funding
Federal TSGP funding may be used for protecting critical infrastructure within our transit system from terrorism, especially explosives and non-conventional threats that would cause major loss of life and severe disruption within the greater Los Angeles region. Since 2004, we have received an estimated $58 million in federal transit security funds. These grants have been used to harden subway security, enhance bus facility surveillance, operate random patrols throughout the transit system, and provide terrorist awareness training for the majority of the transit staff. The $6.521 million available in FY 2015 TSGP funding is recommended to be programmed for transit security activities shown in Attachment A. We submitted our applications for this funding on May 18, 2015. These FY 2015 TSGP federal funds must be encumbered and expended by August 31, 2018.
Determination_Of_Safety_Impact
DETERMINATION OF SAFETY IMPACT
The implementation of this federal funded transit security project will improve safety. The funded project was previously approved by the Board.
Financial_Impact
FINANCIAL IMPACT
Cost Center 2610 (System Security & Law Enforcement) has included in their FY16 Budget $4.7 million to continue project implementation once the federal agency issuing the grant award authorizes expenses to be incurred. The remaining funds will be included in future years. As this is a multi-year project, the Executive Officer for System Security and Law Enforcement, Cost Center 2610, will be accountable for budgeting the expenses required in future years.
Impact to Bus and Rail Operating and Capital Budget
The funds programmed by this action will come from $6.521 million in federal Transit Security funds to finance the eligible operating project shown in Attachment A. These activities may impact our bus and rail budgets because operating funds are required to sustain the security projects at an estimated cost of $1 million per year.
Alternatives_Considered
ALTERNATIVES CONSIDERED
The Board of Directors may choose not to program funding or approve the related resolution. We do not recommend this option because without Board approval, we cannot access the $6.521 million in available federal transit security funds for the needed transit security project shown in Attachment A.
Next_Steps
NEXT STEPS
With Board approval, we will process the necessary documents with the appropriate federal awarding agency to secure up to $6.521 million in transit security funds available. We also will work to ensure timely implementation of the project and monitor grant compliance activities.
Attachments
ATTACHMENTS
Attachment A - Programming of TSGP Project
Prepared_by
Prepared by: James Allen, Transportation Planning Manager, Regional Grants Management, (213) 922-2556
Reviewed_By
Reviewed by: Martha Welborne, FAIA, Chief Planning Officer, (213) 922-7267
