REPORT TO THE CITY COUNCIL
FROM: PACO BALDERRAMA, Chief of Police
Police Department
BY: MINDY CASTO, Deputy Chief
Support Division
SUBJECT
Title
Actions pertaining to the 2023 Off-Highway Vehicle (OHV) Grant Program:
1. Authorize the Chief of Police to accept grant funding in the total amount of $17,406 for the 2023 Off-Highway Vehicle grant program awarded to the Fresno Police Department from the State of California Department of Parks and Recreation;
2. Authorize the Chief of Police to execute the agreement and all related documents applicable to the 2023 OHV grant including amendments and extensions;
3. ***RESOLUTION - Adopt a Resolution authorizing acceptance of $17,406 in grant funding from the State of California Department of Parks and Recreation for the Fresno Police Department’s 2023 Off-Highway Vehicle grant (Subject to Mayor’s Veto);
4. ***RESOLUTION - Adopt the 38th Amendment to the Annual Appropriation Resolution (AAR) No. 2023-185 to appropriate $17,406 for the Police Department’s Off-Highway Vehicle (OHV) grant program (Requires 5 Affirmative Votes) (Subject to Mayor’s Veto).
Body
RECOMMENDATIONS
Staff recommends that Council adopt a Resolution authorizing acceptance of $17,406 in grant funding from the State of California Department of Parks and Recreation for the Fresno Police Department’s 2023 Off-Highway Vehicle Grant to conduct overtime for enforcement near the San Joaquin River bottom, purchase equipment to be used for this enforcement, authorize the Chief of Police or designee to execute all required documents, and adopt the 38th Amendment to AAR No. 2023-185 to appropriate $17,406 in funding into the FY 2024 budget.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The State of California’s Department of Parks and Recreation has awarded $17,406 in grant funding to the City of Fresno Police Department to provide additional enforcement near the San Joaquin River bottom. The grant period began January 1, 2024, and concludes December 31, 2024.
BACKGROUND
The River Bottom Patrol Officers are responsible for enforcing all off-highway vehicle violations and suppressing all other criminal activity in the undeveloped areas surrounding the San Joaquin River in the City of Fresno. These areas are inaccessible by traditional police patrol vehicles and require the use of specialized off-highway vehicles. The department currently uses two 2014 Suzuki DRZ 400 dual-sport motorcycles and an all-terrain police utility vehicle. This grant will fund overtime for sworn officers that are trained on these vehicles and are familiar with the river bottom terrain. Our request for funding in the amount of $25,000 to purchase two new dual sport motorcycles was not fully funded and we instead received a $5,000 allocation. Upon obtaining a fully executed project agreement, a modification will be submitted to the grantor to purchase safety equipment, such as motorcycle helmets.
Officers will provide enforcement and education to patrons near the San Joaquin River bottom focusing on Off-Highway Vehicle laws and other problems surrounding river bottom use. Grant funds will augment the Traffic Bureau’s River Bottom Patrol by providing overtime enforcement operations. The grant requires a minimum cost share/match of 25% of the total project cost or about $5,802. The match will be provided through additional enforcement operations through the Police Department Traffic Enforcement Bureau’s general fund.
ENVIRONMENTAL FINDINGS
This is not a “project” for the purposes of CEQA, pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15378.
LOCAL PREFERENCE
Local preference is not applicable because authorizing receipt of grant funds is not a bid or award of a services contract.
FISCAL IMPACT
If approved, funding for this program will have no impact on the City of Fresno’s General Fund. There is a 25% minimum cost share/match on this grant funding. The Police Department will redirect Traffic Bureau officers on straight time to focus on river bottom enforcement as the 25% cost share/match requirement totaling $5,802. This is a reimbursement-based grant with all expenditures reimbursed on a quarterly basis.
Attachments:
Project Agreement
Resolution
38th Annual Appropriation Resolution No. 2023-185