davSpecial Notice / Hearing: None__
Vote Required: Majority
To: Honorable Board of Supervisors
From: Shruti Dhapodkar, Director, Department of Emergency Management
Subject: Updated Memorandum of Understanding That Governs the Bay Area Urban Area Security Initiative (UASI)
RECOMMENDATION:
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Adopt a resolution authorizing the County Executive, or their designee, to execute an updated 2025 Memorandum of Understanding between the cities of Oakland and San Jose, and the counties of Alameda, Contra Costa, Marin, Monterey, San Mateo, Santa Clara, and Sonoma, as well as the City and County of San Francisco.
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BACKGROUND:
The United States Department of Homeland Security (DHS) operates a Homeland Security Grant Program, which includes the Urban Areas Security Initiative (UASI) Program. This program addresses the unique planning, equipment, training, and exercise needs of high-threat, high-density “Urban Areas” and assists those areas in building an enhanced and sustainable capacity to prevent, protect against, respond to, and recover from threats and acts of terrorism. DHS requires each Urban Area receiving grant funds to establish an Urban Area Working Group (UAWG) to act as an executive steering committee and provide overall governance of the UASI Program across the regional area encompasses within the defined Urban Area.
In 2006, the core cities and counties of the Bay Area Urban Area (San Francisco, Oakland, San Jose, Alameda, and Santa Clara) entered into an MOU setting forth their agreements regarding the objectives, governance structures, responsibilities, and financial agreements to use in applying for, allocating, and distributing UASI grant funds to the Bay Area Urban Area, and establishing the Bay Area UASI Approval Authority as the oversight body and the UAWG of the Bay Area Urban Area. The 2006 MOU designated the City and County of San Francisco as the “primary” grantee, and the fiscal agent for UASI funds.
After the expiration of the 2006 MOU, the parties entered into MOUs in 2007, 2011, 2013, 2017, and 2021. Several other Bay Area agencies have been added as members to the Approval Authority in subsequent MOUs. San Mateo County has been a party to the MOU since 2011.
The current MOU, adopted in 2021, expired on November 30, 2025. Because of this, it is necessary for the member agencies to enter a new MOU. The Bay Area UASI management team prepared a 2025 MOU and presented at the September 18, 2025 meeting of the Approval Authority of the Bay Area UASI.
The Approval Authority unanimously approved the proposed 2025 MOU to be forwarded to all member agencies’ governing bodies for approval and execution. Also in late 2025, the County shifted its approval authority participation from the Sheriff’s Office to the Department of Emergency Management.
DISCUSSION:
The proposed 2025 MOU provides governance structures and procedures for application, allocation, and distribution of federal UASI grant funds to the Bay Area Urban Area, as well as other grants that are managed by the Bay Area UASI. The fiscal agent of the Bay Area UASI, under the proposed MOU, continues to be the City and County of San Francisco. The term of the proposed MOU is December 1, 2025, through November 30, 2030.
By participating in the MOU, many County departments benefit from coordinated regional training opportunities, grant funding, and planning programs that strengthen security, preparedness, and response capabilities. Additionally, the MOU helps us coordinate with neighboring jurisdictions and share resources when preparing for large high-traffic events, such as sporting events, concerts, etc.
Emergency Management Director Shruti Dhapodkar currently serves as the primary representative for the County of San Mateo on the Approval Authority.
COMMUNITY IMPACT:
The County continues to benefit from external funding from the Urban Areas Security Initiative to strengthen emergency planning and response capabilities in all towns and cities and unincorporated areas. The grants also provide valuable funds for equipment purchases and supplies.
FISCAL IMPACT:
The County has received nearly $1,000,000 annually to implement homeland security and emergency management priorities in the past few years. We anticipate a similar amount will be available for the next round of grants, including funding to the Sheriff’s Office to administer the County’s program participation.