REPORT TO THE CITY COUNCIL
September 25, 2014
FROM: JERRY P. DYER, Chief of Police
Police Department
BY: ANDY HALL, Police Captain
Police Department
SUBJECT
Title
Actions pertaining to Office of Traffic Safety
1. Authorize the Chief of Police to enter into and execute the agreement and required program documents with the Office of Traffic Safety
2. *RESOLUTION - 16th Amendment to Annual Appropriation Resolution (AAR) No. 2014-95 appropriating $724,900 for the Selective Traffic Enforcement Program (STEP) grant (Requires 5 affirmative votes)
Body
RECOMMENDATION
It is recommended that Council authorize the Chief of Police to enter into and execute the agreement and required program documents with the Office of Traffic Safety for the STEP grant, and adopt the 16th amendment to Annual Appropriation Resolution 2014-95 to appropriate $724,900.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The City of Fresno has been awarded grant funds of $966,960 from the Office of Traffic Safety to undertake the STEP. The grant period is from October 1, 2014, through September 30, 2015. The goal of this program is to reduce the number of persons killed and injured in crashes involving alcohol, speed, distracted driving, and other primary collision factors. "Best practice strategies" will be conducted on an overtime basis. Council approval is needed to authorize the agreement, and appropriate $724,900 into the FY 2015 budget. The remaining funds will be budgeted and expended in FY 2016.
BACKGROUND
The grant will pay for overtime to allow the department to employ enforcement and innovative strategies to reduce the number of persons killed and injured in traffic collisions. To reduce the number of persons killed and injured in crashes involving alcohol, speed, distracted driving, and other primary collision factors, "best practice strategies" will be conducted on an overtime basis. The funded strategies will include: Driving Under the Influence (DUI) checkpoints, DUI saturation patrols, surveillance to apprehend and hold accountable repeat drunk drivers and those on probation for DUI, warrant service operations targeting DUI violators who failed to appear in court or violate probation, stakeouts, a "HOT Sheet" program and court stings. The program may also concentrate on speed, aggressive driving, intersection operations with disproportionate numbers of traffic crashes and special enforcement operations encouraging motorcycle safety. These strategies are designed to earn media attention thus enhancing the overall deterrent effect.
ENVIRONMENTAL FINDINGS
N/A since there is no new "project."
LOCAL PREFERENCE
N/A due to State and Federal funding used.
FISCAL IMPACT
There will be no negative impact to the General Fund. The grant funds provide full cost recovery for all operations, training and supplies. Expenses will be reimbursed through the Office of Traffic Safety on a quarterly basis.
Attachments: OTS Agreement
AAR #2014-95