HomeMy WebLinkAbout03-05-2019 Item 09 - Office of Traffic Safety FY 2019-20 Grant Appication Department Name: Police
Cost Center: 8001
For Agenda of: March 5, 2019
Placement: Consent
Estimated Time: N/A
FROM: Deanna Cantrell, Chief of Police
Prepared By: Melissa Ellsworth, Senior Administrative Analyst
SUBJECT: FY 2019-20 GRANT APPLICATION FOR OFFICE OF TRAFFIC SAFETY
GRANT PROGRAM
RECOMMENDATION
1. Authorize the Police Department to submit a grant application to the Office of Traffic Safety for
a FY 2019-20 Selective Traffic Enforcement Program (STEP) not to exceed $125,000.
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 Office of Traffic Safety’s mission is to effectively and efficiently administer traffic safety
grants while fostering partnerships to deliver innovative programs that reduce traffic deaths,
injuries, and economic losses. The California Office of Traffic Safety (OTS) provides grant
funding opportunities to Ca lifornia agencies annually. Programs are aimed at preventing deaths
and injuries on our roadways through special enforcement and public awareness efforts. OTS’
program goal is to help local communities develop traffic safety programs which will contribut e
toward OTS’ vision of “Saving Lives Through Traffic Safety Efforts.”
The Police department has been awarded funding from the Office of Traffic Safety for well over
seventeen years. Grant funding has enabled the Department to conduct numerous operations
specifically focused on alcohol or drug impaired drivers. Funding is essential to continue this type
of enforcement on an annual basis.
The FY 2019-20 OTS grant applications became available in December and the application
deadline was January 30th, 2019. Since the application has already been submitted, if Council
denies this request, the application can be withdrawn, which is a typical practice with grant
deadlines that don’t line up with Council meeting schedules and related docketing deadlines. The
department will be requesting funding for the following: overtime to fund department participation
in DUI checkpoints, saturation patrols, and distracted driving enforcement operations. Equipment
requests include DUI checkpoint supplies and other traffic control devices.
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Policy Context
Per the City’s Financial Management Manual, Section 740 – Grant Management Policy; Council
approves all grant applications in excess of $5,000 and delegates receipt and contract execution
to the City Manager if delegatio n is allowed by the grantor agency.
Public Engagement
No public engagement is necessary for the application process. However, there will be a public
comment opportunity during the City Council meeting.
CONCURRENCES
The City’s Finance Director concurs with this request.
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 Sec. 15378.
FISCAL IMPACT
Budgeted: N/A Budget Year: FY 2019-20 & FY 2019-21
(grant period is Oct 1, 2019 – September 30, 2020)
Funding Identified: N/A
Fiscal Analysis:
Funding Sources
Total
Budget
Available
Current
Funding
Request
Remaining
Balance
Annual
Ongoing Cost
General Fund N/A N/A N/A N/A
State
Federal
Fees
Other:
Total
City matching funds are not required by the grant. Although grant funding is already secured for
FY 2018-19; funding in subsequent years is requested through the grant application process on an
annual basis.
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.
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