MEMORANDUM

TO: Pete Sprague, Assembly President

Members, Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly

THRU: Dale Bagley, Mayor

FROM: Scott Holt, Finance Director

David Gibbs, Emergency Management Coordinator

Mark Fowler, Purchasing Officer

Bonnie Golden, Grants Manager

DATE: April 22, 2004

SUBJECT: Ordinance 2003-19-48 accepting and appropriating $168,000 for decontamination equipment

The Kenai Peninsula Borough applied for funding in the FY 2003 State Homeland Security Grant Program (SHSGP) for three hazardous materials decontamination systems and associated equipment, including personal protective equipment, heated shelters, lighting, and other related items. These decontamination systems were to be located in Soldotna, Seward, and Homer. Local first responders and area hospitals planned to use these systems to decontaminate responders and patients in the event they are exposed to hazardous materials.

At the time of the FY 2003 SHSGP award, the Borough was informed that the State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) had developed a statewide hazardous materials decontamination strategy. Through this strategy the State provided funding for one decontamination shower and trailer to the Kenai Peninsula Borough to be located in the Central Kenai Peninsula area. However, this funding was not enough to buy the equipment needed to make the unit fully operational. The state also granted funding to the city of Seward, but only enough to enable Seward to buy some components, and not enough for an operational decontamination system. No funding was provided for the Homer system.

Through subsequent discussions with the Department of Environmental Conservation, and participation with the State Haz-Mat Response Advisory Board, the Borough has secured a new commitment to fund one decontamination shower and trailer ($44,000) to be located in Seward. Additionally, the state is attempting to secure funding for another decontamination system, including all associated equipment, to be located in Homer ($78,000), and the bulk of the unfunded equipment requested by the borough in the FY 2004 SHSGP ($46,000). This $46,000 will enable the Borough to completely outfit the Seward and Central Peninsula trailers with lighting systems, heated decontamination shelters, and personal protective equipment. The previously funded trailer will be located in the Central Peninsula area. If all funds are received, they will be sufficient to fully fund three complete decontamination systems for the borough.

At the time of this packet deadline, the DEC is still working to ensure that the full amount of these funds will be made available to the borough. The award letter will be provided to the assembly upon receipt. If all of the funds are not available by the hearing date, the administration will request appropriate amendments to this ordinance. The administration is introducing this ordinance now, before a final written commitment has been received, as the funds will have to be spent by June 30, 2004. For this reason a hearing on shortened time is also requested.

The State has competitively bid the decontamination shower system and trailer, and associated major equipment, and has provided bid results. This ordinance would authorize the Borough to purchase the equipment from the vendors selected through the State's competitive bid process, which would make it possible to encumber the funds by the June 30, 2004 deadline. Minor equipment will be purchased in accordance with the standard applicable borough purchasing code provisions.