Title
Consider and take action on a resolution authorizing the Police Department to accept a grant award from the Homeland Security Grant Program (Urban Area Security Initiative (UASI) - Houston) in the amount of $154,200 for upgraded night vision technology for the League City members of the Combined Agency Response Team (CART) (Chief of Police)
Background:
Approval of this item will allow the Police Department to accept a grant award from the Homeland Security Grant Program (Urban Area Security Initiative (UASI) - Houston) in the amount of $154,200 for upgraded night vision technology for the League City members of the Combined Agency Response Team (CART); the equipment will replace the outdated night vision binoculars that were purchased 13 years ago through the same UASI grant.
The League City Police Department applied for funding through the 2025 Homeland Security Grant Program, Urban Area Security Initiative (UASI), to replace aging night vision equipment used by League City members of the Combined Area Response Team (CART). Following the grant application process, federal funding for the program was placed on hold and the City's grant application was placed under further review for funding. On August 3, 2026, the Police Department received notification that the grant had been approved and fully funded in the requested amount of $154,200.
While preparing to formally accept the grant award, we were unable to locate the required grant pre-approval form. It appears the pre-approval form may have inadvertently not been completed as part of the grant application process. Accordingly, the Police Department is requesting City Council authorization to accept the UASI grant award in the amount of $154,200.
Grant funding will be used to purchase new night vision binoculars for League City personnel assigned to CART. The Department's current night vision equipment was purchased approximately 13 years ago through the same UASI grant program. Due to the age of the equipment, replacement is appropriate to ensure CART personnel continue to have reliable and effective equipment during tactical operations conducted in low-light or no-light environments.
The proposed purchase will also upgrade the Department's night vision technology from green phosphor to white phosphor. White phosphor technology provides a more natural black-and-white image with improved perceived contrast and detail, which can assist users in identifying objects, terrain, potential threats, and other important visual information more quickly in low-light environments. White phosphor systems can also reduce visual fatigue during extended periods of use and provide improved image interpretation compared with the Department's older green phosphor equipment.
Replacing the Department's 13-year-old equipment with current white phosphor technology will provide CART members with more reliable equipment and enhanced visual capability during high-risk operations, searches, tactical deployments, and other situations where maintaining visibility while operating in darkness is critical to officer and public safety. The $154,200 UASI grant award will fully fund the proposed night vision equipment purchase. The grant was approved for the full amount requested, and there is NO MATCH required by the City of League City.
Attachments:
1. Proposed Resolution
2. Grant application pre-approval form
3. Copy of grant solicitation
CONTRACT ORIGINATION:
FUNDING
{X} If approved, a FY2026 budget amendment will be required to increase Police Operating Supplies account #2100000-51250 by $154,200, to be offset by grant revenue of $154,200 deposited in Homeland Security Grant revenue account #0100-48910.
STRATEGIC PLANNING
{X} NOT APPLICABLE