Public Safety Committee approves 2024 state homeland security grant; staff to provide CERT schedule and respond on vehicle‑loss assistance question

Summary

The Public Safety Committee approved a grant agreement under the 2024 State Homeland Security Program; staff said they will provide a written schedule for Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) classes and the city law office will respond in writing about whether funds can be used to compensate people whose vehicles were destroyed.

The Public Safety Committee approved a grant agreement under the 2024 State Homeland Security Program by voice vote.

Vice President Harris asked whether community emergency response training (CERT) classes funded under the grant will be open to the public and how residents can sign up. A Public Safety staff member said a detailed schedule would be provided in writing and indicated the next class was scheduled to begin on the 18th at the public safety training facility: "I believe it begins on 18th at the public safety, trading facility," the staff member said and added they would provide the schedule in writing.

Council members also asked whether grant or city funds could be used to compensate people whose vehicles had been destroyed in incidents raised during the meeting. The city law department told the committee that the question was complex and said it would provide an answer in writing.

The committee approved the grant agreement by unanimous voice vote and asked staff to circulate details about CERT classes and follow‑up answers from law about potential financial assistance mechanisms.