Spending money is not the only thing the council is being asked to do.
To bolster homeland security, the council will receive a $273,800 federal grant as part of the Urban Area Security Initiative, which provides no-match funding for costs associated with preventing and responding to threats of incidents of terrorism.
The program was created to support large “core” cities and those other cities with contiguous borders to the core city. Los Angeles acts as the core city and allots funds to Santa Monica, according to the staff report. City Hall has received approximately $3.6 million of funding since 2001. These funds have paid for equipment, supplies and training.
The new funds will be used to purchase a detection and data linking system for chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear and explosive attacks and provide added safety equipment for officers and firefighters.
Over at the Santa Monica Airport, two fixed-based operators who refuel and maintain planes are looking to renew their leases with City Hall. Justice Aviation and Santa Monica Aviation, two long-time tenants, are looking to pay $4,822 and $4,778 per month respectively, and make improvements to the tune of $75,00 and $160,000. Rents are subject to annual adjustments relative to inflation.
Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on July 8, 2008. Read the original PDF.