PORT ANGELES — A federal grant to increase border surveillance in Clallam County would pay for operational overtime and new equipment for law enforcement.
In a short work session at the Clallam County courthouse on Monday, commissioners Mike Doherty and Mike Chapman discussed the equipment needs provided by Patty Morris, a grant administrator in the Sheriff’s Office.
“The concern is that when you purchase equipment through a grant, the cost of maintaining the equipment ends up the responsibility of the agency, which then creates an ongoing cost,” Morris said.
“We’re being as frugal as we can with these ongoing costs.”
The county last month applied for the three-year, $3 million federal grant through the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.
The grant, called Stonegarden, assists local authorities that contribute to border security.
Local agencies would work closely with the Border Patrol
“This grant has been going on along the southern border for a while,” Morris explained.
“This year, they opened it up to any border county. Clallam County is applying for one of these grants.”
The grant will be awarded in September.
If approved, funds would become available to the county almost immediately, Morris said.
The Clallam County Board of Commissioners would take action if the grant is approved.
The local agencies involved in the grant are the Port Angeles Police Department, Sequim Police Department, Forks Police Department, Clallam County Sheriff’s Office and the four tribes of Clallam County — the Lower Elwha Klallam, Jamestown S’Klallam, Makah and the Quileute tribes.
Much of the border surveillance gear — like spike strips and communications equipment — is already available to local law enforcement agencies.
The grant would provide more of the same equipment and introduce new radar and night vision technology.
Also in the work session, the Board of Commissioners signed a grant application for the Community Litter Cleanup Program.
If approved, the county would receive $35,772.50 from the Department of Ecology in each of the next two years for roadside cleanup projects.
Clallam County jail superintendent Ron Sukert said the county has been successful this decade in securing grant funds for the cleanup projects.
The current grant expires on July 1.
“This is simply a reapplication for another two-year cycle,” Sukert said.
In today’s regularly scheduled 10 a.m. board meeting, commissioners are expected to rule on a three-month extension for the ARINC, Inc., contract for the Olympic Peninsula Safety Communications Alliance Network.
The network is designed to eliminate radio “dead spots” on the Peninsula, which will enable emergency response agencies to communicate more effectively.
Other items on today’s agenda are:
• A change in the order with Hoch Construction Inc. for the west-wing basement remodel of the county courthouse.
The company will reimburse the county for electrical work that wasn’t needed.
• Purchase agreements with TechDepot, Pacific Office Equipment and GovConnection.
• An agreement with Pierce & Associates modifying terms for increased funding.
• A contract with Peninsula Community Mental Health Center for developmental disabilities services.
• Opening bids for juvenile corrections medical services.
At 10:30 a.m., commissioners will reconvene in a work session to discuss compliance efforts with the Western Washington Growth Management Hearings Board. Commissioners last week extended interim controls on lands disputed in a ruling in April.
Reporter Rob Ollikainen can be reached at 360-417-3537 or at rob.ollikainen@peninsuladailynews.com.
