HomeMy WebLinkAboutItem 5d. Authorize PD to submit a grant app to the Office of Traffic Safety for FY 2026-27 and adopt a Reso authorizing acceptance of funds for FY 2025-26 Tobacco Grant Program Item 5d
Department: Police
Cost Center: 8001
For Agenda of: 2/17/2026
Placement: Consent
Estimated Time: N/A
FROM: Rick Scott, Police Chief
Prepared By: Melissa Ellsworth, Senior Administrative Analyst
SUBJECT: AUTHORIZE THE POLICE DEPARTMENT TO SUBMIT A GRANT
APPLICATION TO THE OFFICE OF TRAFFIC SAFETY FOR FY 2026-27
AND ADOPT A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE ACCEPTANCE OF
FUNDS FOR THE FY 2025-26 TOBACCO GRANT PROGRAM
RECOMMENDATION
1. Approve submission of a FY 2026-27 grant application to the California Office of Traffic
Safety in an amount not to exceed $180,000.
2. If the grant is 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.
3. Approve a resolution titled: “A resolution of the Council of the City of San Luis Obispo,
California, authorizing the acceptance of grant funds in the amount of $74,276 from
the State of California Department of Justice, Office of Attorney General, Tobacco
Grant Program to increase education and enforcement programs focusing on reducing
the illegal sale of tobacco products to minors in the city.” (Attachment A)
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 (“Department”) utilizes grant funds annually to offset costs
associated with focused enforcement activities related to traffic safety, underage drinking
and tobacco enforcement. Grant funding is used to pay for officer overtime and related
equipment.
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Item 5d
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.
The Department has been awarded funding from the OTS annually for over twenty years.
The grant funding is used to conduct numerous operations specifically focused on alcohol
or drug impaired drivers. The grant application was due January 30, 2026, and staff
submitted the application in late January to meet the quick turnaround deadline. 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. 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.
Tobacco Grant Resolution
On July 15, 2025, Council authorized staff to submit a grant application to the California
Department of Justice for a Tobacco related grant program which funds efforts to reduce
the illegal sale and marketing of tobacco products to minors. On November 24, 2025, the
Department was notified of the grant award and in mid-December, the granting agency
hosted a virtual workshop to discuss grant requirements. After the award, the grant
requires an approved resolution to authorize the acceptance of grant funds from the State
of California.
Public Engagement
This item is on the agenda for the February 17, 2026, 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 recommendation.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
The California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) does not apply to the recommended
action in this report because the action does not constitute a “Project” under CEQA
Guidelines Section 15378.
FISCAL IMPACT
Budgeted: No Budget Year: 2025-26
and 2026-27
Funding Identified: No
Fiscal Analysis:
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Item 5d
Funding
Sources
Total Budget
Available
Current
Funding
Request
Remaining
Balance
Annual
Ongoing
Cost
State Grant –
Office of Traffic
Safety
$180,000 $ $ $
California
Department of
Justice
$74,276
Total $254,276 $ $ $
Matching funds are not required for these grants. The OTS grant runs on a Federal fiscal
year, and the Tobacco grant will coincide with the City’s fiscal year. Both grants operate
under a reimbursement basis for repayment.
ALTERNATIVES
Do not submit grant application or decline funding. 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.
ATTACHMENT
A - Draft Resolution authorizing the acceptance of grant funds from the State of California
Department of Justice
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R _____
RESOLUTION NO. _____ (2026 SERIES)
A RESOLUTION OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SAN LUIS
OBISPO, CALIFORNIA, AUTHORIZING THE ACCEPTANCE OF GRANT
FUNDS IN THE AMOUNT OF $74,276 FROM THE STATE OF
CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE, OFFICE OF ATTORNEY
GENERAL, TOBACCO GRANT PROGRAM TO INCREASE EDUCATION
AND ENFORCEMENT PROGRAMS FOCUSING ON REDUCING THE
ILLEGAL SALE OF TOBACCO PRODUCTS TO MINORS IN THE CITY
WHEREAS, the San Luis Obispo Police Department (the “Police Department”)
through the City of San Luis Obispo desires to undertake programs to increase education
and enforcement to focus on reducing illegal sales of tobacco products to minors; and
WHEREAS, the City Council authorized the Police Department to submit a grant
application through the California Department of Justice for the Tobacco Grant Program
on July 15, 2025, to conduct enforcement activities to reduce illegal sales and marketing
of tobacco products to minors; and
WHEREAS, in November 2025, the Police Department was notified of the Tobacco
Grant award in the amount of $74,276; and
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Council of the City of San Luis
Obispo as follows:
SECTION 1. The City Manager or Chief of Police is hereby authorized to accept
grant funding in the amount of $74,276 from the State of California DOJ.
SECTION 2. The City Manager or Chief of Police is hereby authorized to execute
the grant documents and to submit all documents including without limitation, contracts,
amendments, extensions and payment requests as appropriate to accept the funds under
and comply with the conditions of the grant.
SECTION 3. The Finance Director is authorized to make the necessary budget
adjustments upon the award of the grant.
SECTION 4. Grant funds received hereunder shall not be used to supplant
expenditures controlled by this body.
Upon motion of __________________, seconded by___________________, and
on the following roll call vote:
AYES:
NOES:
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Resolution No. _____ (2026 Series) Page 2
R ______
ABSENT:
The foregoing resolution was adopted this ______day of _____________2026.
__________________________
Mayor Erica Stewart
ATTEST:
____________________________
Teresa Purrington
City Clerk
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
____________________________
J. Christine Dietrick
City Attorney
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the official seal of the
City of San Luis Obispo, California, on ______________________.
__________________________
Teresa Purrington
City Clerk
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