REPORT TO THE CITY COUNCIL
FROM: MINDY CASTO, Chief of Police
Police Department
BY: BURKE FARRAH, Deputy Chief
Support Division
SUBJECT
Title
Actions pertaining to the 2025 Selective Traffic Enforcement Program (STEP) grant:
1. Authorize the Chief of Police to accept additional grant funding of $98,000 for the 2025 STEP grant awarded to the Fresno Police Department from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) through the California Office of Traffic Safety (OTS) for a total of $733,000
2. Authorize the Chief of Police or her designee to execute the revised agreement, extensions, and all related documentation applicable to the 2025 STEP grant
3. ***RESOLUTION - Adopt the 31st Amendment to the Annual Appropriation Resolution (AAR) No. 2025-179 to appropriate $98,000 from the California Office of Traffic Safety for the 2025 Selective Traffic Enforcement Program (STEP) Grant (Requires Five Affirmative Votes) (Subject to Mayor’s Veto)
4. Approve the license agreement between the City of Fresno Police Department and Veritone, Inc. in an amount not to exceed $86,000 for a one-year license for software for the reporting of Racial and Identity Profiling Act (RIPA) data, authorizing the Chief of Police, or her designee, to execute the agreement and any related documents.
Body
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends that Council authorize acceptance of an additional $98,000 in grant funding from the OTS, for a total of $733,000, allowing the Chief of Police, or his designee to enter into and execute the agreement and all required documents, and adopt the 31st Amendment to AAR No 2025-179 to appropriate $98,000 in funding into the FY 2026 budget. Funds have been awarded for the 2025 Selective Traffic Enforcement Program grant to the Fresno Police Department’s Traffic Bureau. Staff also recommends that Council approve the license agreement between the City of Fresno Police Department and Veritone, Inc. in an amount not to exceed $86,000 for a one-year license for software for the reporting of Racial and Identity Profiling Act (RIPA) data, authorizing the Chief of Police, or her designee, to execute the agreement and any related documents.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The City of Fresno was awarded grant funds of $635,000 from the Office of Traffic Safety to undertake the Selective Traffic Enforcement Program (STEP) and approved by Council on September 25, 2025. The grant period is from October 1, 2025, through September 30, 2026. The goal of the STEP program is to reduce the number of persons killed and injured in crashes involving alcohol, speed, distracted driving, and other primary collision factors. In December 2025, the Office of Traffic Safety (OTS) notified the department of additional funding in the amount of $98,000. These additional grant funds will be used to fund a one-year license with Veritone, Inc. under the uniquely qualified findings exception to the competitive bid process in the amount of $86,000 for software for the reporting of Racial and Identity Profiling Act (RIPA) data within the City of Fresno and a public service campaign for $12,000 for the remaining grant funding amount, both supporting the grant goals and objectives of the grant. There is no match requirement.
BACKGROUND
The additional funding from the OTS grant for the STEP program will pay for a one-year service agreement with Veritone Contact starting January 1, 2026 through December 31, 2026. The annual cost of this service is $86,000.
The California Identity Profiling Act of 2115 (Statutes of 2115, Ch. 466 and Statutes 2117, Ch. 46) and the adoption of Assembly Bill (AB) 953 requires every agency that employs police officers must electronically report to the Attorney General, on an annual basis, data on all "stops" made. The data collected details perceived demographic information during traffic or pedestrian stops. Also required are the officer's ID number, years of experience and type of assignment.
In addition to the above, the law enforcement agency is required to ensure no personally identifiable information (PII) is provided when making the submissions to the Department of Justice's (DOJ's) Stop Data Collection System (SOCS).
Veritone Contact was founded in 2014 and is located in Irvine, California. Veritone's software helps officers quickly and efficiently collect Racial Identity Profiling Act (RIPA) compliant stop data. The system was built in conjunction with the California DOJ and several city law enforcement agencies. Veritone Contact expedites collection and entry of RIPA data by officers. Veritone Contact also provides command staff with the ability to quickly review all RIPA data for prohibited PII prior to submission. In addition, it allows the department to easily determine which officers are not in compliance with completing RIPA data entries.
The public service campaign component will consist of public service announcements and the purchase of Traffic Stop Safety brochures, not to exceed $12,000.
All purchases of equipment, products, or supplies will go through the appropriate procurement process as required by the Fresno Municipal Code.
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 this is a uniquely qualified purchase.
FISCAL IMPACT
There will be no net impact on the general fund. The grant provides full cost recovery for all services for this program. Expenses will be claimed and reimbursed on a quarterly basis. This funding will enable the Fresno Police Department to continue its efforts to educate the public and reduce the number of persons killed and injured in traffic collisions within the City of Fresno.
Attachments:
Grant Agreement
31st Annual Appropriation Resolution No. 2025-179
Service Agreement Between City of Fresno Police Department and Veritone, Inc.
Uniquely Qualified Memo - Veritone, Inc.