Report Prepared by: Stephanie R. Dietz, City Manager
Title
SUBJECT: Authorize the City of Merced to Apply, in Partnership with Merced County Probation Department, for the Organized Retail Theft Prevention Grant Program from the Board of State and Community Corrections
REPORT IN BRIEF
Authorizing the City of Merced to apply for the Organized Retail Theft Prevention Grant Program from the Board of State and Community Corrections (BSCC), in partnership with the Merced County Program Department. No matching funds are required.
RECOMMENDATION
City Council - Adopt a motion authorizing the submission of a grant application to the Organized Retail Theft Prevention Grant Program from BSCC for a total estimated project cost of $12,250,000 and allowing the City Manager or Deputy City Manager to execute any necessary documents related to the grant submission.
Body
ALTERNATIVES
1. Approve as recommended by staff; or,
2. Approve with modifications; or,
3. Refer to staff for reconsideration of specific items as requested by Council; or,
4. Continue to a future Council meeting; or,
5. Deny.
AUTHORITY
Charter of the City of Merced, Section 200
Charter of the City of Merced, Article IV, Section 405
CITY COUNCIL PRIORITIES
Downtown and Public Safety as identified in the FY 23/2 adopted City Council Goals & Priorities.
DISCUSSION
The State Budget Act of 2022 (Senate Bill 154, Chapter 43, Statutes of 2022) established the Organized Retail Theft Prevention Grant Program. Funding is available to support local law enforcement agencies in preventing and responding to organized retail theft, motor vehicle or motor vehicle accessory theft, or cargo theft. Permissible use of grant funds includes, but is not limited to, the purchase of technology or other equipment to help deter and implement strategies for preventing or responding to crimes of this nature.
A total of $242,250,000 is available statewide through BSCC. The maximum an applicant can apply for independently is $6,125,000. Multi-agency partnerships may apply for a maximum grant award multiplied by the number of partnering agencies. Merced County Probation Department approached the City of Merced to partner on this project, allowing for the maximum grant award to be $12,250,000 to establish a multi-jurisdictional Organized Retail Theft Prevention Grant program.
Initial project proposals are due by July 7, 2023. The grant period is from October 1, 2023, through June 1, 2027. Merced County Probation Department will act as lead agency, with the City of Merced receiving any awarded funds via a Memorandum of Understanding.
The initial designated area for implementation is Downtown Merced. Staff are evaluating the acquisition of surveillance equipment to be installed and proactively monitored by a team of Dispatchers and Community Service Officers. Merced County will support these efforts with additional team members from Probation, Behavior Health and Recovery Services and Human Services Agency to ensure an appropriate level of support is provided to the community.
IMPACT ON CITY RESOURCES
No appropriation of funds is required at this time. Should the grant be awarded, a Memorandum of Understanding will be presented to the City Council for future action. There is no required local match for this grant program.
ATTACHMENTS
None.