Number
260849
Version
ORIGINAL
Reference
Sponsor
CHAIR
Title
Resolution relative to acceptance and funding of a BioWatch Grant Program Grant from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.
Analysis
This resolution authorizes the Milwaukee Fire Department (MFD) to accept and fund the BioWatch Grant Program Grant from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security in the amount of $812,034 if challenged conditions are declared unlawful by a federal court in a pending lawsuit. This is an additional funding source for MFD to assist in detecting aerosolized biological attacks by continuously monitoring the air for specific biological threats using strategically placed air collectors.
Body
Whereas, Under the terms of CFDA/AL Program #97.091, The City of Milwaukee appears to be eligible for grant funds from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security to provide air monitoring for biological threats; and
Whereas, The operation of this grant project from 8/1/2026 to 7/31/2027 would cost $812,034 entirely provided by the grantor; and
Whereas, Several states, including Wisconsin, are challenging certain conditions of the award on behalf of states and their political subdivisions in federal lawsuits titled State of Illinois v. Federal Emergency Management Agency, Case No. 1:25-cv-00206 (D. R.I. 2025) and State of Illinois v. Federal Emergency Management Agency, Case No. 1:26-cv-00485 (D. R.I. 2026) now, therefore, be it
Resolved, By the Common Council of the City of Milwaukee, that application to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security is authorized and, if the challenged award conditions are declared unlawful, the Fire Department shall accept this grant without further approval unless the terms of the grant change as indicated in Milwaukee Code of Ordinances Section 304-81; and, be it
Further Resolved, That, upon the acceptance of the award, the City Comptroller is authorized to commit funds within the Project/Grant Parent of the 2026 Special Revenue Grant and Aid Project fund, the following amount for the project titled BioWatch Grant Program Grant:
Project Grant GR0002600000
Fund 0150
Org 9990
Program 0001
Budget Year 0000
Subclass R999
Account 000600
Project Grantor Share
Amount $812,034
And to create the necessary Special Revenue Fund - Grant and Aid Project/Grant and Project/Grant Levels; budget against these Project/Grant values the amounts required under the grant agreement; and, be it
Further Resolved, That these funds are budgeted through the Fire Department which is authorized to:
1. Expend from the amount budgeted sums for specified purposes as indicated in the grant budgets and incur costs consistent with the award date;
2. Expend from the 2026 grant budget for training and out-of town travel for staff;
3. Enter into sub-contracts as detailed in the grant budgets;
4. Expend from the 2026 grant budget for equipment as specified in the grant budget; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the Common Council directs that, upon acceptance of the award, the 2026 Positions Ordinance C.C. File Number 250699, should be amended as follows:
Under
FIRE DEPARTMENT
OPERATIONS BUREAU DECISION UNIT
Special Operations
ADD:
BioWatch Field Manager (BW) 1 position
ADD footnote (BW) to read as follows:
To expire 7/31/2027 unless the BioWatch Grant Program Grant, is extended.
Requestor
FIRE DEPARTMENT
Drafter
Amanda Lewis
10-02-2026
BioWatch Grant 2026-2027 - RES