Ratify the Application for, and Authorize the Acceptance of a Grant, if Awarded, from the Federal Emergency Management Agency in the Amount Not to Exceed $15,000,000.00 for the Construction of Three Fire Stations; Authorize the Expenditure of Additional City Funds for Construction and for Firefighter Positions and Equipment and Adopt Appropriation Ordinance

It is recommended that the City Council:

1. Ratify the City Manager's application for, and accept, if awarded, a three year Grant from the Federal Emergency Management Agency in an amount not to exceed $15,000,000.00;

2. Authorize the use of all awarded grant funds for the construction of three new fire stations (Fire Station No. 5, a Fire Station on or near Spinks Airport, and a Fire Station at or near Meacham Airport);

3. Authorize the expenditure of a maximum of $2,600,00.00 of City funds for:
        a. Construction costs of a new Fire Station on or near Spinks Airport and a Fire Station at or near
             Meacham Airport (approximately $2,000,000.00 not covered by the grant money ); and
        b. Other expenses, such as furnishings, washers, landscaping, security systems, decorative items,
             etc., at Fire Station No. 5, a Fire Station on or near Spinks Airport, and a Fire Station at or near
             Meacham Airport) (approximately $600,000.00 not eligible for the use of grant funds);

4. Authorize the expenditure of an additional $2,185,000.00 of City funds for the Fire Station that will serve Spinks Airport for:
        a. Funding 14 new firefighter positions at that Fire Station (approximately $975,000.00);
        b. Purchasing a new fire pumper apparatus (approximately $600,000.00); and
        c. Purchasing a new aircraft firefighting and rescue apparatus (approximately $610,000.00);

5. Authorize the City Manager to execute grant contracts with the Federal Emergency Management Agency; and

6. Adopt the attached appropriation ordinance increasing estimated receipts and appropriations in the Grants Fund by $15,000,000.00, subject to the receipt of the funds.

Under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) of 2009, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) provides funding for the construction and modification of fire stations through the Assistance to Firefighters Fire Station Construction Grants (FSC). These grants will enhance firefighters' response capability and help protect the community from fire and fire-related hazards.
  
There is no cost sharing requirement for this grant. However, grant money cannot be used to pay for furnishings, washers, landscaping, security systems and decorative items, such as curtains, so the City will have to pay those costs. Construction projects must be completed within 36 months of the award, an application cannot exceed $15 million and each project cannot exceed $5 million.

The City will apply for $15 million in FSC grant funds (maximum allowed by grant stipulations) for the construction of three new fire stations: Fire Station No. 5, a fire station on or near Spinks Airport and a fire station at or near Meacham Airport. If the grant money is awarded to the City, City funds will then be used for:

     1. Items that the grants cannot pay for (ineligible costs) up to a maximum of $600,000.00 ($200,000,00 for each of these fire stations) and other expenses for furnishings, washers, landscaping, security systems, decorative items, etc.;

     2. Construction of Spinks and Meacham Stations. ($1,000,000.00 each--TPW' s estimate based on grant requirements); and

     3. Additional costs of approximately $2,185,000.00 at the fire station serving Spinks Airport, which includes:
          a. $975,000.00 for 14 new firefighting positions;
          b. One new fire pumper apparatus that costs approximately $600,000.00; and
          c. One new aircraft firefighting and rescue apparatus that costs approximately $610,000.00.

If the grant is approved for the construction of the Fire Station on or near Spinks Airport, the 14 new firefighter positions for that Fire Station will not be funded through these grant funds, but will need to be added in the future to the General Fund.

The following chart shows the funding that the City will provide for these projects (ineligible costs), additional funds that the City will provide at the Fire Station on or near Spinks Airport, the current and proposed locations of these three fire stations, the reason for new construction at each of the stations, the number of fire companies at the new station, and the amount of grant money that the City is requesting for each project.

  

	Fire Station No. 5	Fire Station on or near Spinks Airport	Fire Station at or near Meacham Airport
City's funding (ineligible costs)	Maximum of $200,000.00 (expenses for furnishings, washers, landscaping, security systems, decorative items, etc.)	-Approximately $200,000.00 for the fire station (expenses for furnishings, washers, landscaping, security systems, decorative items, etc.), -14 new firefighting positions (about $975,000.00) (future costs to the City's General fund), -One new fire pumper apparatus (approximately $600,000.00), -One new aircraft firefighting and rescue apparatus (approximately  $610,000.00)	Maximum of $200,000.00 (expenses for furnishings, washers, landscaping, security systems, decorative items, etc.)
City's funding (construction costs)	N/A ($5 million grant)	$1,000,000.00 ($6 million construction estimate minus $5 million grant)	$1,000,000.00 ($6 million construction estimate minus $5 million grant)
Current location	1000 Evans Avenue (built in mid-1960s)	Station No. 28 1300 Everman Parkway	Station No. 44 is at Meacham Airport; Station No. 25 (3801 North Main) is about 2,000 feet from Station No. 44.
Proposed location	1200 block of Evans Avenue (land has been acquired)	Station No. 42 (on or near Spinks)	At or near Meacham Airport (combine these two stations in one)
Reason for new construction	Current station needs major repairs and updates	Nearest station to Spinks is Station No. 28 (1300 Everman Parkway) - 5 miles North of Spinks - Response time to Spinks 12-14 minutes	Build a new fire station on or at Meacham Airport that serves the airport and the surrounding neighborhood. - This was the recommendation of TriData (the City's consultant) in 2002. - The current facility cannot house modern, larger aircraft rescue and firefighting apparatus or handle the weight of such apparatus.
No. of Fire companies at new station	Two (Engine 5 & Hazardous Materials Response Co. & supporting vehicles)	Aircraft Rescue and Firefighting for Spinks and emergency services to surrounding area	One company cross-trained to provide structural fire suppression, emergency medical services and Aircraft Rescue and fire fighting