Title
Consider approving Resolution No. 2017-078 authorizing the transfer of a SolarTech Dynamic Message Board/Trailer to the City through a Homeland Security Program Property Transfer from the City of Richardson; and take appropriate action.
Body
BACKGROUND:
To ensure that the City of Farmers Branch is able to effectively respond to a severe weather event or other adverse incident, the City is a part of the Public Works Emergency Response Team (PWERT) compromised of fifty-one local cities. This PWERT working group allows mutual aid between the cities in the form of equipment and personnel in the event of an incident to facilitate a quicker recovery. Each year, the PWERT working group applies for grants through the Homeland Security Grant Program in order to build up an inventory of equipment for the participating cities to use during a response. When purchased with grant money, this equipment is positioned around the region in cache locations to allow for a quicker arrival time to cities in need.
The City of Farmers Branch was chosen as a cache location for PWERT equipment, along with 10 other locations in the region, to include: Allen, Ellis County, Weatherford, Tarrant County, Grand Prairie, Carrollton, Rowlett, Haltom City, Lancaster, and Richland Hills. A typical equipment cache includes a SolarTech Dynamic Message Board, a Magnum Mobile Light Tower, and a portable generator. The City of Farmers Branch is currently receiving its first piece of equipment, the SolarTech Dynamic Message Board/Trailer that was acquired by the expenditure of 2016 State Homeland Security Grant funds awarded to the City of Richardson. Per the equipment cache located in the City of Farmers Branch, the City of Richardson is transferring this piece of equipment to the City of Farmers Branch. As grant money is awarded in coming grant years, the City of Farmers Branch will receive a Magnum Mobile Light Tower, and a portable generator.
While the PWERT SolarTech Dynamic Message Board/Trailer is positioned within the City of Farmers Branch, the City can use it for its daily operations to include planned events, maintenance work, and emergency events. If PWERT is activated in the event of a disaster or adverse incident in the region and a call for SolarTech Dynamic Message Board/Trailers is issued, the City of Farmers Branch will offer the Message Board to the city in need if the City of Farmers Branch is able to do so.
There is no purchase cost for the transfer and acceptance of this equipment as the Message Board has been paid for in full by 2016 Homeland Security Grant Funding at the unit cost of $17,405.97. No new staffing is required with this purchase as the Message Board will be housed at the Service Center and utilized by Public Works as needed.
RECOMMENDATION:
City Administration recommends adopting Resolution No. 2017-078 authorizing the transfer of a SolarTech Dynamic Message Board/Trailer to the City through a Homeland Security Program Property Transfer from the City of Richardson.
POSSIBLE COUNCIL ACTION:
1) Motion to approve Resolution No. 2017-078 authorizing the transfer of a SolarTech Dynamic Message Board/Trailer to the City through a Homeland Security Program Property Transfer from the City of Richardson.
2) Motion to deny Resolution No. 2017-078 authorizing the transfer of a SolarTech Dynamic Message Board/Trailer to the City through a Homeland Security Program Property Transfer from the City of Richardson.
3) Motion to modify to meet the needs of the Council.
4) Motion to table the issue for further study or take no action.
ATTACHMENTS:
1. Resolution No. 2017-078
2. Homeland Security Grant Program-Property Transfer Record Agreement
3. Certificate of Origin
4. Photos of the SolarTech Dynamic Message Board/Trailer