HomeMy WebLinkAbout4.B.1. Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community Public Safety Grant Consent Business 4. B. 1.
SHAKOI'EE
TO: Mayor and City Council
FROM: Zach Stock, Administrative Intern
DATE: 03/03/2015
SUBJECT: Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community Public Safety Grant (C, E)
Action Sought
The Council is asked to authorize submittal of an application to the Shakopee
Mdewakanton Sioux Community for a Public Safety Grant.
Background
On January 19, the City was notified of the availability of$300,000 in grant monies
from the Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community (SMSC) to improve the safety
and health of people in Minnesota. The SMSC is allowing any governmental
organization or agency in the State of Minnesota to apply, along with charitable
organizations, in cooperation with an eligible governmental body.
The purpose of the grant is to provide emergency service entities with life-saving
equipment, and to provide the necessary prevention and educational tools to the
public with regard to fire safety, emergency services, and natural disaster
preparedness. The SMSC is looking for projects that result in improvements in any
of the following categories: communications and/or radio equipment, training,
construction, extrication, hazardous materials, medical aid and/or medical
equipment, fire-related training and equipment, rescue, vehicle conversions, and
vehicle acquisitions.
There is no set minimum or maximum amount for grant requests. However,
applicants must provide a 20% cash or in-kind match. All funded projects must be
substantially completed by December 31, 2015.
Grant applications must be submitted online no later than March 23, 2015.
Applications will be reviewed by the SMSC Business Council with recipients
announced on April 20.
Description
The City's proposed application seeks $30,000 for the purchase of training materials
and equipment for the Fire Department. Specifically, the money would allow for
updates and enhancements to the search and rescue training room located in the
lower level of Fire Station #1. This would include two forcible entry doors that
would allow staff to repeatedly practice high-impact entry techniques, without
causing permanent damage to the doors. Current practice requires new doors to be
purchased after every forcible entry exercise.
The funding would also allow for the purchase of new construction material to
complete updates to the Department's existing search/rescue training room. Staff
has become accustomed to the current design and layout, which lowers the training
value of exercises conducted in the room. With new materials the Department
plans to create two separate apartment scenarios that can be used simultaneously
during training exercises.
Budget Impact
If successful in obtaining a grant, the City's required 20% local match would come
from in-kind services anticipated to be 200 hours of staff time for the construction
of updates to search/rescue training room.
Relationship to Vision
Applying for available grants relates to Goal C: Maintain the city's strong financial
health. Enhancing employee training contributes to Goal E: Deliver effective and
efficient public services by a staff of well-trained caring and professional employees
Requested Action
The Council is asked to authorize submittal of an application to the Shakopee
Mdewakanton Sioux Community for a $30,000 Public Safety Grant.