Agenda Item Wording:
title
Authorization to Adopt Resolution No. 2025-75 Accepting Grant Subawards to Replace Bomb Squad Vehicle- Adoption of Resolution No. 2025-75 accepting a grant subaward in the amount of $271,512 from the Tulare County Office of Emergency Services for fiscal year 2024 State Homeland Security Grant Program and a grant subaward from Kings County Office of Emergency Services in the amount of $160,159 and appropriate a total of $431,671 for phase one of the project to replace the Central Valley Regional Bomb Squad Vehicle.
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Prepared by: Chief Jason Salazar, 713-4215, jason.salazar@visalia.gov; Captain Andrew Swarthout, 713-4035, andrew.swarthout@visalia.gov; Lieutenant Clay Moffett, 713-4408, clay.moffett@visalia.gov; Financial Analyst Liz Ybarra, 713-4250, liz.ybarra@visala.gov;
Department Recommendation: Approve Resolution 2025-75, authorizing the Visalia Chief of Police to accept a grant subaward in the amount of $271,512 from the Tulare County Office of Emergency Services for FY 2024 State Homeland Security Grant Program (SHSGP) and a grant subaward from Kings County Office of Emergency Services for SHSGP in the amount of $160,159 and appropriate a total of $431,671 for phase one of the project to replace the Central Valley Regional Bomb Squad Vehicle. The grant is effective from 9/1/2024 to 5/31/2027.
Summary:
The Central Valley Regional Bomb Squad is currently supervised by the Visalia Police Department, who is the owner of the current bomb response vehicle. The bomb response vehicle is at the end of its service life.
The construction of a new bomb response vehicle requires unique specifications to address the needs of the bomb squad. This vehicle is responsible for storing all tools and equipment needed to render hazardous devices safely. The bomb response vehicle utilizes a generator to power many of the specialized tools, an x-ray machine to inspect suspected dangerous devices, and a large working space to allow the members of the squad the ability to plan. Additionally, this vehicle needs to be dependable and respond to any of the unique and demanding environments in Tulare and Kings County.
Phase One of the project consists of the purchase of the vehicle and basic infrastructure not to exceed the funding amount from FY 2024 of $431,671.
Phase Two of the project will consist of upfitting the bomb response vehicle which includes all interior components such as specialized cabinetry to store hazardous devices, commercial explosives magazine, and a remote tool operations console. Phase two will be in the amount of $162,329 and the funding will be from FY 2025 allotment. The Visalia Police Department has been tentatively awarded a combined $162,329 by Tulare and Kings County Office of Emergency Services as a subrecipient for phase two FY 2025 State Homeland Security Grant Program. Once this allotment is available, staff will return to Council to apply and appropriate this funding. The total cost of this vehicle is estimated to be $594,000.
Once completed, this vehicle will replace the current bomb response vehicle. This type of purchase meets the requirements of the State Homeland Security Grant Program’s focus areas and serves as a truly regional project.
Background Discussion:
The Visalia Police Department is part of the Central Valley Regional Bomb Squad that consists of bomb technicians from the Visalia Police Department, Tulare County Sheriff’s Office, and Kings County Sheriff’s Office. The bomb technicians are responsible for rendering all hazardous devices in Tulare and Kings County safe. This very sensitive mission is accomplished with many specialized tools and equipment. One of the most important pieces of equipment is the bomb response vehicle. The current bomb response vehicle is a 1993 GMC Topkick commercial truck with a utility box. It is a two-wheel drive CAT diesel powered recreational vehicle with a two-person front cab and has over 100,000 miles driven on it. The vehicle includes a large camper type enclosure on the rear with storage cabinets, a small desk, two bucket seats, and an on-board gas-powered generator. This vehicle is used to haul specialized equipment, and personnel needed to render hazardous devices safely, to include pulling a 10,000lb bomb disposal trailer. Though the vehicle has worked well for many years, it is showing significant indicators of use. Due to its age and mileage, the Top Kick is regularly serviced by the City of Visalia Fleet Division.
Fiscal Impact: Establish a CIP account in the amount of $431,671 for the purchase of the vehicle for phase one. There is no cost sharing or match requirement, and grant funds must be used to supplement existing funds, not replace (supplant) funds that have been appropriated. Staff will announce a public bid for the purchase and will return to Council to award the contract for phase one. In addition, staff will return to Council two more times for the FY 2025 Grant award and to award the contract for phase two for the upfit of the vehicle. The cost cannot exceed a total of $594,000 for this project. The performance period for FY 2024 Grant is effective from 9/1/2024 to 5/31/2027. An agreement with Tulare County is required for this subaward and is attached with this report.
On December 2023, the Police Department submitted the Grant application.
On May 8, 2025, The Visalia Police Department was awarded the $271,512 by the Tulare County Office of Emergency Services as a subrecipient through the FY 2024 State Homeland Security Grant Program.
On October 1, 2025, the Visalia Police Department was awarded $160,159 by the Kings County Office of Emergency Services as a subrecipient through the FY 2024 State Homeland Security Grant Program.
Prior Council Action: On December 4, 2023, Visalia City Council approved the Visalia Police Department to apply for the FY 2024 State Homeland Security Grant Program in Tulare and Kings County to fund the purchase of a new bomb response vehicle.
Other: N/A
Alternatives: Not to accept the grant or purchase of the Central Valley Regional Bomb Squad Vehicle.
Recommended Motion (and Alternative Motions if expected):
recommendation
Approve Resolution 2025-75, a resolution authorizing the Visalia Chief of Police to accept a grant subaward in the amount of $271,512 from the Tulare County Office of Emergency Services for FY 2024 State Homeland Security Grant Program and a grant subaward from Kings County Office of Emergency Services in the amount of $169,159 and appropriate a total of $431,671 for phase 1 of the project to replace the Central Valley Regional Bomb Squad Vehicle.
Environmental Assessment Status: N/A
CEQA Review: Action is not subject to CEQA pursuant to CEQA Guidelines section 15601(b)(3), no possibility the action will have significant impact on the environment.
Deadline for Action: 11/17/2025
Attachments: Resolution 2025-75, FY 2024 Grant Agreement state homeland Security Grant Program Award Letters, and Tulare County and Subaward Agreement.