HomeMy WebLinkAbout02/21/2006, C3 - APPLICATION FOR OFFICE OF TRAFFIC SAFETY SELECTIVE TRAFFIC ENFORCEMENT PROGRAM GRANT council M ti sD%a• oc�
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C I T Y OF SAN LUIS OBISPO
FROM: Deborah Linden,Chief of PoficeO
Prepared By: Ian Parkinson,Operations Captain
SUBJECT: APPLICATION FOR OFFICE OF TRAFFIC SAFETY SELECTIVE
TRAFFIC ENFORCEMENT PROGRAM GRANT
CAO RECOMMENDATION
1. Approve the submission by the Police Department of a grant application to the Office of Traffic
Safety for a 2006-07 Selective Traffic Enforcement Program (STEP) Grant in the amount of
$53,019.96.
2. Authorize the Chief of Police to execute all grant related documents.
DISCUSSION
Per the City's Grant Management Policy, staff requests approval from the City Council to submit a
grant application to the Office of Traffic Safety (OTS) for a 2006-07 Selective Traffic Enforcement
Program Grant (STEP) in the amount of $53,019.96. The funding is intended to support the
enforcement of traffic violations at intersections that have a higher than average accident rate in
order to prevent or reduce fatalities and injuries. The grant will also fund the purchase of radar
activated speed display notification signs designed to make drivers more aware of their speed, and
to provide statistical data that will support optimum times of enforcement. In addition, a portion of
the grant funds would be used to enforce violations of Driving under the Influence (DUI) laws. If
awarded a grant,the grant period would run from October 1, 2006 to December 31, 2007.
The City has participated in the OTS Grant program annually for at least five years. However, this
year's program specifically targets intersections with high accident rates. The program has three
main objectives:
1. Reduce the number of persons killed or injured in traffic collisions by concentrated
enforcement of primary collision factor violations at intersections with high accident rates.
2. Reduce the number of DUI collisions by targeting DUI drivers through the use of DUI
checkpoints.
3. Develop a"Hot Sheet' program to notify patrol and traffic officers to be on the look out for
repeat DUI offenders with suspended or revoked licenses as a result of DUI convictions.
C3-�
Council Agenda Report-Application Submittal for STEP Funding
Page 2
These objectives will be accomplished using the following strategies:
1. Police Officers will be deployed on an overtime basis to enforce primary collision factors at
intersections identified as having a high accident rate.
2. The Police Department will conduct two DUI checkpoints during the grant period. These
checkpoints will target DUI drivers and drivers who are unlicensed or suspended.
3. The Police Department will purchase and install four radar-activated speed display devices
at four different locations in the city which will be determined based on need and
consultation with the City's Traffic Engineering Division. The purpose of these devices is
to display the actual speed of vehicles on the roadway and contrast it to the speed limit,-
which is posted directly above the speed display device. This will serve to educate the
driver and reduce speeds on those roadways. The second function of these devices is to
collect statistical data and utilize this data for traffic surveys by the City's Traffic
Engineering Division and the Police Department for enforcement during high violation
times. This data is recorded by the device and downloaded periodically.
The program being proposed is consistent with the City's approved 2005-07 Financial Plan Major
City Goal: Traffic Congestion Relief which states, "Continue efforts to improve traffic flow, safety,
and reduce traffic congestion throughout the City." This grant program would help address traffic
safety issues in the City.
The grant application was due to OTS by January 31, 2005. Staff was not able to develop our grant
proposal in time to bring this item before Council before the application was due. After obtaining
approval from the CAO, staff submitted the grant application pending Council approval. If Council
denies this request, staff can rescind the application.
Staff will return to Council for approval of an expenditure plan if the City is selected as a grant
recipient and after a formal Grant award is received.
CONCURRENCES
The Public Works Department concurs with the CAO recommendation and with the grant proposal.
FISCAL UVIPACT
There is no negative fiscal impact. The OTS grant does not require any matching funds. Additional
enforcement activities will be done using overtime funded by the grant.
ALTERNATIVE
Rescind previously submitted grant application to OTS for the STEP Grant. Staff does not
recommend this alternative as this funding opportunity supports City traffic safety goals and does
not result in any negative fiscal impact to the City.
G:\Staff\Kiser\Agenda Rep Files\Council Agenda Report-OTS Grant Application 2006.DOC