GRANT REQUEST
Motion
title
MOTION to appropriate $298,211 to Account #21020401-57300-G0015 (Admin Emerg. Services - New Equipment - Misc. Grants).
In addition, authorize the expenditure of up to $298,211 for purchase of new radio equipment for the fire departments. end
endbody
Background:
The town has received the Assistance to Firefighter’s Grant from FEMA; the award amount is $284,010.40 and the required town match was previously approved by the council in the amount of $14,200.52. The radio equipment itself is being purchased via State of CT Bid through J&S Radio of Willimantic. (see attached quotes)
Town Council Meeting 3/24/2023 : The Town Council authorized the Mayor to submit a grant through the FEMA Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program in the amount of $298,210.52 with the local matching amount of $14,200.52 for the acquisition of new portable and mobile radios for the fire departments.
Department Comments/Recommendation:
Existing quotes for mobile and portable radios, chargers, carry cases, batteries, etc., is included with the agenda packet. Also includes installation of mobile radios and all associated programming
Finance Director Comments/Recommendation:
(Type text here)
Mayor Comments/Recommendation:
I support this request.
Meeting Action Detail:
Finance Cmt Meeting 07/19/2023:
File #: 23-1272 Version: 2
Type: Financial Business Request (FBR)
Title: MOTION to appropriate $298,211 to Account #21020401-57300-G0015 (Admin Emerg. Services - New Equipment - Misc. Grants).
In addition, authorize the expenditure of up to $298,211 for purchase of new radio equipment for the fire departments. end
Moved: Ryan Seconded: Ingalls
Action: Recommend to Approve
Minute Note:
Moved by Councilor Ryan, seconded by Councilor Ingalls
Discussion: Councilor Saums provided some background noting that Administrator of Emergency Services Steve Holyfield has been diligently submitting Applications for the Assistance to Firefighter’s Grant from FEMA over the past few years to purchase new radio equipment for the Fire Departments.
Councilor Saums went on to note at their March 24, 2023 meeting the Town Council authorized the Mayor to submit a grant through the FEMA Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program in the amount of $298,210.52 with the local matching amount of $14,200.52 for the acquisition of new portable and mobile radios for the fire departments and the Town has received notification that this year’s Grant Application was approved. He stated this item was to allocate the $298,210.52 grant funding to the Admin Emerg. Services - New Equipment Account and to authorize the purchase of the new radio equipment.
Administrator of Emergency Services Steve Holyfield stated the original quotes for the mobile and portable radios, chargers, carry cases, batteries, etc., was obtained in January, 2023. He stated the cost per radio was about $4,200 and included the installation of the mobile radios and all the associated programming.
Councilor Saums noted the backup information indicated at that the Viking-Kenwood Radios have not been accepted for the use on the State’s system. Mr. Holyfield explained at the time of the original quote was received in January, 2023 that the State had not yet approved the Viking-Kenwood radios. However, he stated that he believed that the State was now very close to accepting this radio model. He stated he received a revised quote today from J&S Radio of Willimantic, which included the State of CT Contract Bid Number, which was a clear indication that the State has approved their selected radio model.
Councilor Saums questioned the likelihood of the State changing its radio/communication platform again. Mr. Holyfield stated that he did not believe the State would be changing its communications platform, noting that they were currently using less than 1% of the total capacity and that they were continuing to grow. He stated that Waterford’s communications system would be converting to the State’s communication system. Therefore, he did not see the State making changes to the communication platform.
VOTE: 3 - 0 Approved and so declared
Action: Recommend to Approve
____________________________________________________________________________
Town Council Meeting 03/22/2023:
File #: 23-1272 Version: 1
Type: Financial Business Request (FBR)
Title: MOTION to authorize the Mayor to submit a grant through the FEMA Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program in the amount of $298,210.52 with the local matching amount of $14,200.52 for the acquisition of new portable and mobile radios for the fire departments. end
Moved: Saums Seconded: Ingalls
Action: Approved
Minute Note:
Moved by Councilor Saums, seconded by Councilor Ingalls
Discussion: Councilor Saums provided some background stating last year Ledyard applied for this FEMA Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program to obtain funding to purchase new portable and mobile radios for the fire departments that would bring town’s radios up to same system as the State system which would allow them to communicate with surrounding towns as well as the State. He stated the local match of $14,200.52 would come from the LVES Fund (formerly Fund 24), noting that this funding was previously set-a-side for this type of use. He stated if the town’s grant application does not get approved that they could continue to apply each year until they are awarded the grant funding. He stated Administrator of Emergency Services Steve Holyfield was present this evening to answer questions.
Administrator of Emergency Services Steve Holyfield stated this was the third year he has applied for FEMA Assistance to Firefighters Grant to purchase radio equipment. He stated feedback from FEMA indicated that Ledyard’s Grant Application was well written, and they received the maximum number of points to be approved. However, he explained the reason Ledyard’s Grant Application has not been approved was because the age of the other municipalities’ radios that they were competing with were older than Ledyard’s radios. He stated FEMA has encouraged him to continue to apply for the Grant. He stated their local match of $14,200.52 has already been transferred from the LVES Fund to a Capital Non-Recurring (CNR) to purchase the radios when they do finally receive the FEMA Grant.
VOTE: 7 - 0 Approved and so declared
Action: Approved
_____________________________________________________________________________
Finance Committee Meeting 03/21/2023:
File #: 23-1272 Version: 1
Type: Financial Business Request (FBR)
Title: MOTION to authorize the Mayor to submit a grant through the FEMA Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program in the amount of $298,210.52 with the local matching amount of $14,200.52 for the acquisition of new portable and mobile radios for the fire departments. end
Moved: Ingalls Seconded: Ryan
Action: Recommend to Approve
Minute Note:
Moved by Councilor Ingalls, seconded by Councilor Ryan
Discussion: Councilor Saums provided some background stating last year Ledyard applied for this FEMA Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program to obtain funding to purchase new portable and mobile radios for the fire departments that would bring town’s radios up to same system as the State system which would allow them to communicate with surrounding towns as well as the State. He stated the local match of $14,200.52 would come from the LVES Fund (formerly Fund 24), noting that this funding was previously set-a-side for this type of use. He stated if the town’s grant application does not get approved that they could continue to apply each year until they are awarded the grant funding. He stated Administrator of Emergency Services Steve Holyfield was present this evening to answer questions.
Administrator of Emergency Services Steve Holyfield stated this was the third year he has applied for FEMA Assistance to Firefighters Grant to purchase radio equipment. He stated feedback from FEMA indicated that Ledyard’s Grant Application was well written, and they received the maximum number of points to be approved. However, he explained the reason Ledyard’s Grant Application has not been approved was because the age of the other municipalities’ radios that they were competing with were older than Ledyard’s radios. He stated FEMA has encouraged him to continue to apply for the Grant. He stated their local match of $14,200.52 has already been transferred from the LVES Fund to a Capital Non-Recurring (CNR) to purchase the radios when they do finally receive the FEMA Grant.
VOTE: 3 - 0 Approved and so declared