Title
Resolution to Accept and Approve the FY 2011 Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) Grant and Authorize Expenditure for Additional Fire FTEs ($642,294.00) (8 Votes Required)
Memorandum
During the adoption of the FY2013 budget, City Council directed the City Administrator to return to Council if the city was successful in obtaining additional funding for fire protection services during the fiscal year. Staff had submitted a SAFER grant application for three firefighters. Last week, the City received confirmation that the $642K SAFER grant can be used to fund recalled firefighters or new hires should the recalled firefighters not return to work, information that was required for a recommendation to City Council.
The attached resolution recommends City Council accept the award, appropriate the funds, and increase staffing in Fire Services by three firefighters.
City Council authorized 82 full time equivalent positions (FTE) in the FY2013 budget. The 82 FTE included the recall of three firefighters. Because the SAFER grant will reimburse the city for two years for these costs, the Fire Services budget has $321K per year for two years ($642K) to fund additional firefighters and operational needs.
Staff recommends increasing Fire Services authorized staffing by three full-time firefighters in FY2013 (going from 82 to 85 FTEs). The estimated annual cost is $255,000.00. The remaining $66,000.00 will fund other operational needs in Fire Services.
Adding a fourth firefighter would require $19K from fund balance and would limit the ability of Fire Services to remain within the approved FY2013 budget.
Staff
Prepared by: Chuck Hubbard, Fire Chief, Fire Services Unit
Reviewed by: Chief John Seto, AAPD, Safety Services Area Administrator
Approved by: Steven D. Powers, City Administrator
Sponsored by: Mayor Hieftje and Councilmembers Lumm and Teall
Body
Whereas, The City of Ann Arbor Fire Services has been notified of approval of a $642,294.00 SAFER grant from the Department of Homeland Security;
Whereas, The grant requires that the City maintain staffing for the two-year grant term at the level that existed at the time of award;
Whereas, City Council approved an amendment to the FY2013 budget stating that if additional funding is received during FY2013 that the City Administrator present Council with a budget amendment appropriating the funds to hire additional firefighters up to 88 FTEs.
Whereas, With acceptance of this grant, federal funding is available for appropriation to fund additional firefighter positions;
Whereas, No City match is required; and
Whereas, Fire Services is requesting that City Council authorize the City Administrator to accept the SAFER grant and appropriate, when received, the grant funds to the Fire Services budget for expenditure during the life of the grant without regard to fiscal year;
RESOLVED, That City Council authorize the acceptance and approval of a SAFER grant from the DHS in the amount of $642,294.00;
RESOLVED, That City Council appropriate the grant funds to Major Grant Fund to be expended in accordance with the terms of the grant during the life of the grant without regard to City fiscal year; and
RESOLVED, That City Council authorizes three additional FTEs in the FY2013 budget, for a total of 85 authorized Fire Services FTEs.