File #: 2015-1365   
Type: Policy Status: Passed
File created: 9/2/2015 In control: Board of Directors - Regular Board Meeting
On agenda: 10/22/2015 Final action: 10/22/2015
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.
Sponsors: Planning and Development (Department)
Indexes: Budgeting, Grant Aid, Law enforcement, Policy, Project, Security, Threats, Transit System, Transportation Security Grant Program
Attachments: 1. Attachment A - Programming of TSGP Project

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