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 Selective Traffic Enforcement Program (STEP) grant
1. ***Authorize the Chief of Police to accept $500,000 in grant funding for the 2023 STEP grant awarded to the Fresno Police Department from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) through the California Office of Traffic Safety (OTS)(Subject to Mayor’s Veto)
2. Authorize the Chief of Police or his designee to execute the agreement, extensions and all related documentation applicable to the 2023 STEP grant
3. ***RESOLUTION - Adopt the 9th Amendment to the Annual Appropriation Resolution (AAR) No. 2022-154 appropriating $375,000 for the Police Department’s STEP grant (Requires five affirmative votes) (Subject to Mayor’s veto).
Body
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends that Council authorize acceptance of $500,000 in grant funding from the OTS, allowing the Chief of Police, or his designee to enter into and execute the agreement and all required documents, and adopt the 9th Amendment to AAR No 2022-154 to appropriate $375,000 funding into the FY 2023 budget. The remaining funds will be utilized in FY 2024. Funds have been awarded for the 2023 Selective Traffic Enforcement Program grant to the Fresno Police Department’s Traffic Bureau.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The City of Fresno has been awarded grant funds of $500,000 from the Office of Traffic Safety to undertake the Selective Traffic Enforcement Program (STEP). The grant period is from October 1, 2022, through September 30, 2023. 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. Grant funds will be used to fund overtime pay for officers to implement approved best practices strategies, travel expenses for staff to attend conferences and events supporting the grant goals and objectives, the purchase checkpoint supplies, Crash Data Retrieval tools, and expenses related to collaborative meetings with other law enforcement agencies. There is no match requirement.
BACKGROUND
The OTS grant for the STEP program will pay for overtime to allow the department to employ innovative enforcement 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 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, and a “HOT Sheet” program. The program will 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. The educational component of this grant targets junior high and high school students emphasizing the importance of pedestrian safety and the dangers of impaired and distracted driving.
In addition to the enforcement and educational programs, the grant funds training and supplies components. The training component will provide for appropriate staff to attend conferences and training events supporting the grant goals and objectives and/or traffic safety. The supplies component will provide on-scene supplies needed to conduct sobriety checkpoints, such as traffic cones for use during high risk traffic operations (DUI checkpoints and accidents), lighting, reflective banners, flares, compliant high visibility vests; Crash Data Retrieval Tools to download the Event Data Recorder (EDR) for certain make and model vehicles to conduct road testing, road audits and measure brake efficiency and performance during crash data reconstruction investigations; and costs for collaborative meetings for law enforcement agencies to discuss traffic safety trends and plan collaborative operations.
ENVIRONMENTAL FINDINGS
This is not a “project” for the purposes of CEQA, pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15378.
LOCAL PREFERENCE
Local preference was not considered because accepting grant funds does not include a bid or award of a construction or service contract.
FISCAL IMPACT
There will be no net impact to the general fund. The grant provides full cost recovery for all operations, training, and supplies 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.
Attachment:
Grant Agreement
9th Annual Appropriation Resolution No. 2022-154