HomeMy WebLinkAbout01-20-2015 C5 OTS Selective Traffic Enforcement Program GrantCity 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 2015-16 GRANT APPLICATION FOR OFFICE OF TRAFFIC SAFETY
SELECTIVE TRAFFIC ENFORCEMENT PROGRAM
RECOMMENDATION
1. Authorize the Police Department to submit a grant application to the Office of Traffic Safety for
a FY 2015-16 Selective Traffic Enforcement Program (STEP) not to exceed $250,000.
2. If the grant is awarded, authorize the Chief of Police 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 annually.
Programs are aimed at preventing deaths and injuries on our roadways through special enforcement
and public awareness efforts. Grant funding will help the City’s ongoing effort to improve traffic
safety and quality of life.
Specifically, the OTS Selective Traffic Enforcement Program (STEP) grant will continue to provide
funding for the night time DUI police officer for the San Luis Obispo Police Department for FY
2015-16. Currently, the department is receiving funding through an existing OTS AVOID grant for
FY 2014-15 for this position which started on October 1, 2013.
Overview of Position
The grant funded position will be responsible for identifying areas where DUI incidents are
prevalent and perform enforcement activities in these areas for the specific purpose of reducing DUI
related incidents. Other patrol officers will still be expected to continue their own DUI enforcement
as part of their regular patrol function while allowing additional specific DUI enforcement to occur
by the DUI officer.
The night time DUI Officer’s duties will include:
1. Enforcement of DUI related laws.
2. Provide DUI related training at briefings.
3. Provide support to Patrol in specific DUI related cases.
4. Participate in community outreach activities which could include public speaking as to the
dangers of driving while intoxicated.
5. Track and maintain statistical data to meet the obligations of the grant and other
departmental purposes.
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FY 2015-16 OTS STEP Grant Application Page 2
Grant Application
The grant application is due on January 31, 2015. The following describes what the department will
be requesting in the application:
1. Salary and Benefits (for a period of 12 months) for the night time DUI police officer.
2. Overtime to fund department participation in DUI Checkpoints, Saturation Patrols,
Distracted Driving Enforcement Operations.
3. Travel costs for a DUI Enforcement Training Course.
4. Equipment related to DUI enforcement.
CONCURRENCES
The Director of Finance & Information Technology concurs with this recommendation and will
review the grant application before it is submitted to the OTS.
FISCAL IMPACT
City matching funds are not required by the grant. Although grant funding is already secured for
FY 2014-15; funding in subsequent years will be requested through the grant application process on
an annual basis. Upon the conclusion of the grant, and if the department is not awarded grant
funding in the following fiscal years, it is anticipated that the position would be absorbed into the
department through attrition.
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.
T:\Council Agenda Reports\2015\2015-01-20\FY 2015-16 Office of Traffic Safety Grant Application (Gesell-Ellsworth)\CAR OTS STEP Grant App 15-16.docx
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