Report Prepared by: Lance Eber, Crime Analyst, Police Department
Title
SUBJECT: Authorization to Accept $130,000 in Grant Funds from the California Office of Traffic Safety to Conduct DUI Checkpoints, DUI Saturation Patrols, Traffic Safety Enforcement, Distracted Driving Enforcement, Motorcycle Enforcement, Pedestrian/Bicycle Enforcement, Street Racing Enforcement, and Educational Presentations, Along with Funds for Attending Training and Funds for Checkpoint Supplies as Part of the California Office of Traffic Safety Traffic Enforcement Program Grant
REPORT IN BRIEF
Considers accepting grant funding from the California Office of Traffic Safety offered to the Merced Police Department in the amount of $130,000 from the Traffic Enforcement Program Grant to conduct DUI Checkpoints, DUI Saturation Patrols, Traffic Safety Enforcement, Distracted Driving Enforcement, Motorcycle Enforcement, Pedestrian/Bicycle Enforcement, Street Racing and Sideshow Enforcement, Educational Presentations; and, to purchase checkpoint supplies, and to attend training related to alcohol enforcement.
RECOMMENDATION
City Council - Adopt a motion:
A. Accepting the California Office of Traffic Safety Traffic Enforcement Program Grant in the amount of $130,000; and,
B. Approving the use of pooled cash until grant funds are reimbursed; and,
C. Authorizing the City Manager and required City Officials to execute the OTS Grant Award and other necessary documents.
Body
ALTERNATIVES
1. Approve, as recommended by Staff; or,
2. Deny; or,
3. Refer back to Staff for reconsideration of specific items.
AUTHORITY
Charter of the City of Merced, Section 200.
CITY COUNCIL PRIORITIES
As provided for in the 2024-25 Adopted Budget.
DISCUSSION
Background
The Merced Police Department (MPD) first received this same grant funding beginning in October 2007. This upcoming grant funding/award will be our seventeenth year that the California Office of Traffic Safety (OTS) has offered us grant funding to operate their traffic/DUI enforcement grants.
Description
The MPD submitted a grant application for grant funding from the OTS. OTS is offering the grant funding to the MPD.
The grant requested funding under OTS’s Traffic Enforcement Program Grant. The grant’s mission is to reduce the number of persons killed and injured in alcohol involved crashes and other primary collision factors. The funded strategies include conducting DUI checkpoints and DUI patrols. Other operations include targeted patrols for traffic safety, motorcycle safety, pedestrian/bicycle safety, distracted driving, street racing and sideshow enforcement, and educational presentations. These operations are designed to earn media attention with press releases thus enhancing the overall deterrent effect for drinking and driving and obeying traffic laws. All operations are conducted on overtime status.
The funds from this grant will assist in covering travel expenses related to training on DUI enforcement.
The funds from this grant will be used to purchase checkpoint supplies, changeable message sign trailer with radar, oral fluid drug screening device and supplies, and radar devices.
The application included our request to fund the program accordingly:
Personnel & Benefits = $90,340
Travel (in state only) = $2,900
Equipment = $20,000
Supplies = $16,760
TOTAL REQUEST = $130,000
Match Amount = $-0-
This grant does not require a match of any type (in-kind or cash). It is a 100% reimbursement grant. Funds are first expended by the MPD and then requests for reimbursement are submitted on a quarterly basis. The grant program period will be October 1, 2024 through September 30, 2025.
IMPACT ON CITY RESOURCES
Staff is requesting that Council accept the grant award; and allow the use of pooled cash until reimbursement from the grant is received; and authorize the City Manager to execute the necessary documents. Without grant funding, the operations described in this grant would not get accomplished.
ATTACHMENTS
1. OTS Grant Agreement/Award