HomeMy WebLinkAboutItem 08 - FY 2021-22 Grant Application for the Office of Traffic Safety Grant Program Department Name: Police
Cost Center: 8001
For Agenda of: March 16, 2021
Placement: Consent
Estimated Time: N/A
FROM: Jeff Smith, Interim Police Chief
Prepared By: Melissa Ellsworth, Senior Administrative Analyst
SUBJECT: FY 2021-22 GRANT APPLICATION FOR OFFICE OF TRAFFIC SAFETY
GRANT PROGRAM
RECOMMENDATION
1. Authorize the Police Department to submit a grant application to the Office of Traffic Safety for
a FY 2021-22 Selective Traffic Enforcement Program (STEP) grant not to exceed $250,000; and
2. If the grant is awarded, authorize the City Manager or his designee to execute all grant related
documents and authorize the Finance Director to make the necessary budget adjustments upon
the award of the grant.
DISCUSSION
The California Office of Traffic Safety (OTS) provides grant funding to agencies each year aimed to
prevent deaths and injuries on City roadways through special enforcement and public awareness
efforts. Grant funding helps the City’s ongoing effort to improve traffic safety and quality of life in
the community.
The department has been awarded funding from the OTS for well over twenty years. OTS grant
funding has enabled the Police Department to conduct numerous operations specifically
enforcement focused on alcohol or drug impaired drivers. Funding is essential to continue this type
of specialized enforcement on an ongoing basis.
The grant application was due on January 30, 2021. Due to grant timing, the application has already
been submitted online. If Council denies this request, the application can be withdrawn. In the grant
application, the department requested funding for the following: overtime to conduct DUI
checkpoints, saturation patrols, motorcycle safety, pedestrian & bicycle enforcement, traffic safety
education, and distracted driving enforcement operations. Funding to purchase electronic citation
data collection devices was also requested.
Policy Context
The recommended actions are consistent with the City of San Luis Obispo’s Financial Management
Manual, Section 740 - Grant Management Policy. The policy states that Council will approve all
grant applications in excess of $5,000 and delegates receipt and contract execution to the City
Manager.
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Public Engagement
This item is on the agenda for the March 16, 2021 City Council meeting and will follow all required
postings and notifications. The public may have an opportunity to comment on this item at or before
the meeting.
CONCURRENCES
The Director of the Finance concurs with the staff recommendation.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
No environmental review is required for grant submittals per section 15061(b)(3) General Rule of
the CEQA Guidelines. It can be seen with certainty that the proposed action of the City to apply for
grant funding will have no significant effect on the environment.
FISCAL IMPACT
Budgeted: No Budget Year: 2021-22
Funding Identified:
Fiscal Analysis:
Funding Sources Total Budget
Available
Current Funding
Request
Remaining
Balance
Annual
Ongoing Cost
General Fund
State – OTS GRANT Up to
250,000
Total $250,000
City matching funds are not required for this grant.
ALTERNATIVE
Council may direct staff not to submit an application. Staff does not recommend this alternative as
funding will aid in the City’s ongoing effort to improve traffic safety and quality of life. The grant
objectives are aimed at preventing deaths and injuries on our roadways through special enforcement
and public awareness efforts.
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