Report Prepared by: Lance Eber, Crime Analyst, Police Department
Title
SUBJECT: 2018 California Office of Traffic Safety Selective Traffic Enforcement Program (STEP) Grant
REPORT IN BRIEF
Consider the acceptance of grant funding in the amount of $100,000 from the California Office of Traffic Safety STEP Grant to reimburse the City for traffic enforcement operations conducted on overtime.
RECOMMENDATION
City Council - Adopt a motion:
A. Accepting the grant award and increasing the revenue budget in account 035-1016-324.01-02 by $100,000; and,
B. Appropriating the same to Fund 035-Police Office of Traffic Safety Grant Fund; and,
C. Approving the use of pooled cash until reimbursement from the grant is received; and,
D. Authorizing the City Manager to execute the 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 2018-19 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 tenth 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 Selective Traffic Enforcement Program (STEP) 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. The program will also conduct stakeout operations for officers to concentrate on repeat DUI offenders on probation who have had their license suspended or revoked. Court sting operations will focus on DUI offenders with suspended or revoked license who get behind the wheel after leaving court. Warrant service operations target repeat DUI violators who failed to appear in court or violated their probation. Other operations include targeted patrols for speeding, distracted driving, motorcycle enforcement, seat belt violations, and other traffic laws. 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.
There is money set aside to conduct assemblies at the middle schools.
There is money set aside to purchase bike helmets for children.
There is money set aside to purchase supplies to conduct DUI checkpoints.
The application included our request to fund the program accordingly:
Personnel & Benefits = $82,504
Travel (in state only) = $7,091
Contractual Services = $4,500
Equipment = $-0-
Other Direct Costs = $5,905
TOTAL REQUEST = $100,000
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, 2018 through September 30, 2019.
IMPACT ON CITY RESOURCES
Staff is requesting that Council accept the grant award and increase the revenue budget in account 035-1016-324.01-02 by $100,000; and, appropriate the same to Fund 035; and, allow the use of pooled cash until reimbursement from the grant is received. Without grant funding, the operations described in this grant would not get accomplished.
ATTACHMENTS
1. OTS STEP Grant Agreement/Award