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HomeMy WebLinkAbout06-10-2014 C5 FY 2014 Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant Program ApplicationCity of San Luis Obispo, Council Agenda Report, Meeting Date, Item Number FROM: Steve Gesell, Chief of Police Prepared By: Melissa Ellsworth, Senior Administrative Analyst SUBJECT: FY 2014 EDWARD BYRNE MEMORIAL JUSTICE ASSISTANCE GRANT PROGRAM APPLICATION RECOMMENDATION 1. Authorize staff to submit an application for a 2014 Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant in the amount of $10,355 to help offset costs associated with the purchase of a crime statistical reporting module. 2. If the grant is awarded, authorize the City Manager to execute necessary grant documents and direct the appropriation of monies into the accounts required to administer the grant. DISCUSSION Grant Program Information The U.S. Department of Justice Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) Program is the primary provider of federal criminal justice funding to the State and local jurisdictions. JAG funds may be used to fund technical assistance, training, personnel, equipment, supplies, contractual support, and criminal justice information systems for any of the following purpose areas: 1. Law enforcement programs 2. Prosecution and court programs 3. Prevention and education programs 4. Corrections and community corrections programs 5. Drug treatment and enforcement programs 6. Planning, evaluation, and technology improvement programs 7. Crime victim and witness programs (other than compensation) The JAG Program is a non-competitive formula grant and the funding allocation is based on the population and crime rate of the local jurisdiction. The amount available to the City of San Luis Obispo for 2014 is $10,355. JAG Program funds must be used to supplement existing local funds for program activities and cannot replace or supplant funds that have been appropriated for the same purpose. The Department of Justice requires the City’s grant application be made available for review by the City Council, and members of the public must have an opportunity to comment on the application. Placement of this item on the Council’s June 10, 2014, meeting agenda fulfills these requirements. Applications for this grant program were due on June 10, 2014. Due to the cancellation of the June 3 Council Meeting, staff submitted the grant application prior to Council’s approval. If Council directs staff to not move forward with the grant request, the grant application will be withdrawn. June 10, 2014 C5 C5 - 1 Application for FY 2014 Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) Page 2 Proposed Use of Grant Funds The Police Department would like to obtain a crime statistical analysis and reporting module that integrates with the Department’s existing database. Current data collection procedures with our existing program are cumbersome and time consuming. Because of these limitations, data results are not always consistent requiring more personnel time to check and verify accuracy. Accurate data analysis is important to determine crime trends, effectively manage personnel to address public safety needs, meet public record request expectations and provide valuable data for research, initiatives and education. The JAG funds will help with the costs related to the purchase of a Spillman crime statistical reporting module; CompStat Dashboard. The Department currently uses Spillman Technologies as its Computer Aided Dispatch/Records Management Software database. This module allows agencies to use existing Spillman data to calculate trends and patterns, and presents this data in an easy to search and analyze format. Utilizing this module would enable the department to produce quick and reliable statistical information. The other advantages of this software include: the ability to view comprehensive statistics without having to run multiple reports, monitor crime trends, and the ability to identify problem areas in a more effective manner, and ultimately providing an opportunity for the public to access statistical information from the City’s website. CONCURRENCES The Director of the Finance and Information Technology Department concurs with the staff recommendation. FISCAL IMPACT City matching funds are not required for this grant. The City may draw down any or all JAG funds after acceptance of the award. To do so, a trust fund must be established in order to maintain the funds separate from the General Fund. As illustrated below, total cost of the module is $32,670. The grant will cover approximately 32% of the cost. Based on an analysis of current balances and expected expenditures over the next couple of months, staff anticipates funds for the remaining amount will be available in carryover at the end of the fiscal year. Staff intends to request the use of general carryover for the remaining amount of $22,315. If the department does not realize any carryover at year end, or the department’s request is denied, staff will explore other funding opportunities. Item Cost CompStat Management Dashboard $32,670 Funding Sources 2014 JAG Grant $10,355 General Fund $22,315 Total 32,670 ALTERNATIVES 1. Modify the staff recommendation. Council may direct staff to apply for JAG funds for a C5 - 2 Application for FY 2014 Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) Page 3 different purpose, as long as the use is consistent with the purpose described in this report. 2. Do not submit a grant application. Council may direct staff to not submit a grant application. The alternative is not recommended. The JAG Program is non-competitive and the funds have already been allocated to our City upon application, as long as the use is consistent with the purpose areas described in this report. T:\Council Agenda Reports\2014\2014-06-03\FY 2014 Edward Byrne Memorial Grant Ap (Gesell-Ellsworth)\Council Agenda Report.docx C5 - 3 Page intentionally left blank.