HomeMy WebLinkAbout01-17-2017 Item 09 Sex Offender Register and Notification Act (SONA) Grant Application Meeting Date: 1/17/2017
FROM: Deanna Cantrell, Chief of Police
Prepared By: Brian Amoroso, Police Lieutenant
SUBJECT: SEX OFFENDER REGISTRATION AND NOTIFICATION ACT (SORNA)
GRANT APPLICATION
RECOMMENDATION
1. Authorize staff to pursue a grant application submitted to the U.S. Department of Justice,
California Sex Offender Registry, for a total amount not to exceed $25,000 for equipment and
training that will enhance our ability to manage our local sex offender population; and
2. Authorize the City Manager to execute the necessary grant documents, and appropriate the grant
amount into the Police Department’s budget upon grant award.
DISCUSSION
Financial Management Manual Policy 740 requires the City Council to authorize the submittal o f
grant applications that are $5,000 or greater. The purpose of this item is to seek the City Councils
approval of the application and to authorize the City Manager to execute documents should the
grant be awarded to the City.
The San Luis Obispo Police Department is required to register and manage all registered sex
offenders that reside in the City of San Luis Obispo. We currently have approximately 59
registrants, with almost half listing ‘transient’ as their address. All registrants are required to
report to the Police Department and register in scheduled intervals. In addition, pro-active
compliance checks are conducted to ensure registrants are living at the locations they claim.
With many of our registrants listing areas of public open space, bridges and creeks as their
residence, Officers are required to search these out of the way areas in an attempt to make
contact at these locations.
GRANT DETAILS
In late October of 2016, staff received notification of the availability of a federal grant to fund the
purchase of equipment and training to enhance the management and notification process of sex
offenders in our community. Funds for the expansion of existing registration and notification
programs will be used for computers, cameras and training related to sex offender registration
and notification.
The grant application deadline was November 10, 2016. Due to the delayed awareness of the
grant and timeliness considerations, staff timely submitted the application prior to receiving City
Council approval. This has been a historic practice when Staff becomes aware of grant
opportunities and there is not sufficient time to obtain City Council approval as required by
Financial Management Policy 740. Should Council not support the submittal of the effort, staff
will withdraw the application.
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FISCAL IMPACT
The grant specifically requires that approved expenditures be funded initially by the agency, then
reimbursed by the grant after invoicing. All grant expenditures must be expended, invoiced, and
reported to the California Department of Justice prior to May 15, 2017. Additionally, purchased
items cannot be removed from an existing budget and purchased with Grant funds. The San Luis
Obispo Police Department will be required to comply with grant reporting and auditing
requirements on funding usage.
ALTERNATIVE
The City Council may direct staff to withdraw the application for federal grant funding. Staff does
not recommend this alternative, as the funding will enhance the Police Department’s ability to meet
registration and notification requirements related to the local sex offender population.
Attachments:
a - SORNA Grant San Luis Obispo Police Department
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