HomeMy WebLinkAboutItem 6d. Authorize the PD to apply for FY 25-26 Office of Traffic Safety and California Highway Patrol Grant Programs Item 6d
Department: Police
Cost Center: 8001
For Agenda of: 2/18/2025
Placement: Consent
Estimated Time: N/A
FROM: Rick Scott, Police Chief
Prepared By: Melissa Ellsworth, Senior Business Analyst
SUBJECT: AUTHORIZE THE POLICE DEPARTMENT TO SUBMIT GRANT
APPLICATIONS FOR FY 2025-26 OFFICE OF TRAFFIC SAFETY AND
THE CALIFORNIA HIGHW AY PATROL GRANT PROGRAMS
RECOMMENDATION
1. Authorize staff to submit FY 2025-26 grant applications to the following agencies:
a. California Office of Traffic Safety in an amount not to exceed $155,000.
b. California Highway Patrol Cannabis Tax Fund Grant Program in an amount not
to exceed $185,000.
2. If the grants are awarded, authorize the City Manager and the Chief of Police to execute
grant related documents and authorize the Finance Director to make the necessary
budget adjustments upon the award of the grant.
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 must approve all grant applications in excess of $5,000 and delegates receipt and
contract execution to the City Manager.
DISCUSSION
The police department utilizes grant funds annually to offset costs associated with focused
enforcement activities related to traffic safety. Grant funding is used to pay for officer
overtime and related equipment.
Office of Traffic Safety
The California Office of Traffic Safety (OTS) provides annual grant funding to agencies
aimed to prevent deaths and injuries on roadways through special enforcement and public
awareness efforts. Grant funds help the City’s efforts to improve traffic safety and quality of
life in the community.
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Item 6d
The department has been awarded funding from the Office of Traffic Safety for over twenty
years. The grants enable the Police Department to conduct numerous operations
specifically focused on alcohol or drug impaired drivers. On January 22, 2025, an
application for the FY 2025-26 OTS grant was submitted in an amount not to exceed
$155,000. If awarded, grant funds will be used for overtime costs associated with the
following activities: DUI checkpoints, DUI saturation patrols, traffic enforcement, distracted
driving, traffic safety education, and pedestrian and bicycle enforcement. Due to the timing
of the grant deadline, the application was submitted prior to Council’s review; however, if
Council denies this request, the application can be withdrawn.
Cannabis Tax Fund Grant Program
In 2016, Proposition 64 (the Control, Regulate, and Tax Adult Use of Marijuana Act) was
passed which mandated the state to set aside funding for the California Highway Patrol to
award grants to local governments and non-profits to work toward reducing impaired driving
accidents, increase public awareness surrounding dangers of impaired driving and support
safer roadways. If authorized by Council, staff will be requesting funds to conduct additional
DUI saturation patrols and to purchase a DUI trailer and vehicle. DUI trailers are used to
store equipment and supplies (lighting, tables, etc.) related to enforcement activities such
as DUI checkpoints. The department’s current trailer is over twenty years old and is showing
signs of wear and tear; unfortunately, replacement is not forecasted until FY 2028-29. The
vehicle requested will be used to tow the trailer; both the vehicle and trailer will be stored at
the police department. Department staff reached out to Public Works to discuss the fleet
related request, and they are in concurrence. Fleet will decommission the existing trailer per
City policy.
If the grant is awarded, staff will return to Council in June to request a Resolution authorizing
the City to enter into an agreement with the California Highway Patrol for the total amount
of the grant award. The grant application was submitted on February 12th, 2025. If Council
denies this request, the application can be withdrawn.
Public Engagement
This item is on the agenda for the February 18, 2025, 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.
CONCURRENCE
The Director of Finance concurs with staff’s recommendations.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
The California Environmental Quality Act does not apply to the recommended action in this
report because the action does not constitute a “Project” under CEQA Guidelines Section
15378.
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Item 6d
FISCAL IMPACT
Budgeted: No Budget Year: 2025-26
Funding Identified: No
Fiscal Analysis:
Funding Sources
Total
Budget
Available
Current
Funding
Request
Remaining
Balance
Annual
Ongoing
Cost
State Grant – Office
of Traffic Safety
$155,000
State Grant –
California Highway
Patrol
$185,000
Total $340,000 $ $
Matching funds are not required for these grants.
ALTERNATIVES
Do not submit grant applications or decline funding. This alternative is not
recommended. These grants provide funding for specialized equipment purchases and
overtime for targeted education and enforcement opportunities. Without grant funds the
department would not be able to carry out these types of programs which increase safety in
our community.
ATTACHMENTS
None
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