title
CC - CONSENT ITEM: Approval of Culver City Amateur Radio Emergency Service (CCARES) to Proceed with the Incorporation of "Friends of CCARES" as a 501(c)(3) Public Benefits Corporation as Being Consistent with the 1995 Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) Between the City and CCARES.
body
Meeting Date: July 8, 2024
Contact Person/Dept.: Christine Parra/Fire Department
Phone Number: (310) 253-5909
Fiscal Impact: Yes [] No [X] General Fund: Yes [] No [X]
Attachments: Yes [X] No []
Public Notification: (E-Mail) Meetings and Agendas - City Council (07/02/2024)
Department Approval: Kenneth Powell, Fire Chief (06/13/2024)
_____________________________________________________________________
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends the City Council approve Culver City Amateur Radio Emergency Service (CCARES)'s plan to form a separate public benefits 501(c)(3) corporation to help fund CCARES' activities as being consistent with the 1995 MOU between the City and CCARES.
BACKGROUND/DISCUSSION
CCARES is an unincorporated group of Federal Communications Commission (FCC)-licensed amateur radio operators ("Hams") living, working, or otherwise connected with the City who have banded together to provide public safety and emergency communications. Those safety-related communications occurring primarily during local and regional emergencies, such as earthquakes and floods. At other times, CCARES provides training for its members and maintains a relationship with the Culver City Emergency Response Team (CERT).
In August 1995, the City formally recognized CCARES by way of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) (Attachment 1) governing the relationship between the City and CCARES. That MOU continues in effect at this time, some 29 years since its inception.
Within the City, the Fire Department provides CCARES with physical space and limited staff support to facilitate CCARES training and disaster communications functions. Additionally,...
Click here for full text