Report Prepared by: Lance Eber, Crime Analyst, Police
Title
SUBJECT: Adopt a Resolution Authorizing the Police Department to Accept Grant Funds in the Amount of $85,566 from the United States Department of Justice (USDOJ), Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA), and Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) Program to Purchase Two Mobile Video Surveillance Camera Trailers and Associated Cellular Service and Supplies
REPORT IN BRIEF
Considers adopting a Resolution authorizing the Police Department to accept grant funds in the amount of $85,566 from the United States Department of Justice (USDOJ), Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA), and Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) Program to purchase two mobile video surveillance camera trailers and associated cellular services and supplies.
RECOMMENDATION
City Council - Adopt a motion adopting Resolution 2026-68, A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Merced, California, Approving Accepting the 2025 Edward Byrne Justice Assistance Grant Program Award in the Amount of $85,566.
Body
ALTERNATIVES
1. Approve, as recommended by Staff; or,
2. Deny; or,
3. Refer back to Staff for recommendation of specific items (specific items to be addressed in the motion).
4. Take no action
AUTHORITY
Charter of the City of Merced, Section 200 and Merced Municipal Code, Section 3.04.210 - Exemptions from Competitive Bidding.
CITY COUNCIL PRIORITIES
Public Safety Priority - Traffic Solutions & Safety and as provided in the FY 2026/27 Adopted Budget.
DISCUSSION
The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) is the primary provider of federal criminal justice funding to state and local jurisdictions. JAG funds support all components of the criminal justice system, from multijurisdictional drug and gang task forces to crime prevention and domestic violence programs, courts, corrections, treatment, and justice information sharing initiatives. JAG funded projects may address crime through the provision of services directly to individual and/or communities and by improving the effectiveness and efficiency of criminal justice systems, processes, and procedures.
The JAG program solicits applications from eligible tribes, and units of local government for local initiatives, technical assistance, training, personnel, equipment, supplies, contractual support, and information systems for criminal justice, as well as research and evaluation activities that will improve or enhance the following areas:
• Law enforcement programs
• Prosecution and court programs
• Prevention and education programs
• Corrections and community corrections programs
• Drug treatment and enforcement programs
• Planning, evaluation, and technology improvement programs
• Crime victim and witness programs (other than compensation)
JAG funded projects may address crime through the provision of services directly to individuals and/or communities and by improving the effectiveness and efficiency of criminal justice systems, processes, and procedures.
The City Manager approved the Police Department submitting an application for this grant funding opportunity. The Police Department submitted a timely application to receive grant funding for the 2025 JAG grant program. The City of Merced was eligible to request funding up to the amount of $85,566. This amount is established by the USDOJ. There is no match requirement on this grant award.
JAG funds were requested to spend $85,566 to purchase the following items:
• (2) two mobile video surveillance camera trailers
• Associated cellular service and supplies for each camera trailer
On January 6, 2025, on Consent Item I.7 24-1213, City Council approved accepting the 2024 JAG funding in the amount of $43,820. On this grant, one mobile surveillance video camera trailer was approved. The MPD followed Merced Municipal Code 3.4.210 to go out to bid for the purchase of the trailer. On June 16, 2025 on Consent Item I.8 25-562, City Council awarded the bid for one trailer to Mid Valley Protection. In that consent item, authorization was granted to purchase two additional trailers during fiscal year 2025/26 allowing the MPD to standardize equipment with a previously purchased trailer from Mid Valley Protection.
The MPD is requesting to waive the competitive bidding requirement in order to standardize equipment with the two current trailers that the MPD have deployed and active in the city.
The grant requires that the application and subsequent award be made available in a public meeting and that the public has an opportunity to comment on the acceptance of the funding before it is accepted by the City Council.
The USDOJ deemed the Merced Police Department and the Merced County Sheriff’s Department as a Joint Application (Disparate). In some cases, the USDOJ determines that a disparity may exist between the funding eligibility of a county and its associated municipalities. The localities in a disparate group must agree on which locality will serve as the fiscal agent and a Memorandum of Understanding must be signed by each government agency. This Memorandum of Understanding must identify which jurisdiction will serve as the fiscal agent and identify the agreed upon funding amount for each locality. The Merced County Sheriff’s Office agreed to allow the Merced Police Department to be allocated 100% of the $85,566 grant funding amount.
The Grant Agreement will be electronically signed in the JustGrants website operated/hosted by the USDOJ.
The City Manager will complete the Certifications and Assurances as the Chief Executive Officer for our local agency.
HISTORY AND PAST ACTIONS
In 2020, MPD set aside mandatory 3% at $977 for the mandatory transition from UCR to IBR as mandated by the FBI; and, $3,425 for a new storage shed at the range; and, $13,455 for new spike strips that are stored in patrol vehicles and used for slowing/stopping vehicles; and, $11,220 to purchase Rifles (AR-15) for patrol vehicles; and, $3,480 to purchase ballistic shields to be used in critical incidents.
In 2021, MPD set aside mandatory 3% at $1,180; and, $6,356 was set aside for upgrading our community engagement vehicle; and, $31,740 was set aside for upgrading the investigation’s interview rooms with cameras and recording equipment.
In 2022, MPD used all grant funds in the amount of $42,866 for an ATV with trailer for the Bomb Unit that serves a three-county region including Yosemite National Park.
In 2023, the MPD used grant funds in the amount of $46,169 for SWAT equipment such as goggles, helmets, robot, and aiming devices, in addition to a new computer for the Real Time Information Center.
In 2024, the MPD used grant funds in the amount of $43,820 in the Real Time Information Center to purchase one mobile video surveillance camera trailer and supplies for video surveillance camera boxes.
Each year, the grant award was presented to City Council for acceptance and subsequently accepted by the City Council.
IMPACT ON CITY RESOURCES
This grant does not require any matching funds; therefore, no additional funding is needed.
Acceptance of grant award in the amount of $85,566 and appropriating the same to Police Department expenditures.
The Police Department will use pooled cash up to $85,566 to make grant purchases until grant reimbursement is received.
This item will require five affirmative votes for approval.
ATTACHMENTS
1. Copy of the Grant Agreement
2. Resolution 2026-68
3. Memorandum of Understanding with Merced County
4. Quote from Mid Valley Protection