REPORT TO THE CITY COUNCIL
FROM: PACO BALDERRAMA, Chief of Police
Police Department
BY: MARK SALAZAR, Deputy Police Chief
Investigations Division
SUBJECT
Title
Actions pertaining to the Proposition 64 Health and Safety Grant Cohort 2 (Prop. 64) Grant program
1. Authorize the Chief of Police to accept $1,958,057 in grant funding for the Proposition 64 Health and Safety Cohort 2 (Prop. 64) Grant awarded to the Fresno Police Department from the State of California, Board of State and Community Corrections (BSCC).
2. ***RESOLUTION - Adopt a Resolution authorizing acceptance of $1,958,057 in grant funding from the State of California Board of State and Community Corrections (BSCC) for the Fresno Police Department’s Proposition 64 Public Health and Safety Cohort 2 (Prop. 64) grant (Subject to Mayor’s Veto)
3. ***RESOLUTION - Adopt the 6th Amendment to the Position Authorization Resolution (PAR) No. 2022-153 adding one full-time position of Community Services Officer to act as a liaison between Fresno Police Department and residents of the city of Fresno for the Police Department’s Proposition 64 Public Health and Safety Cohort 2 (Prop. 64) grant (Subject to Mayor’s Veto)
4. ***RESOLUTION - Adopt the 20th Amendment to the Annual Appropriation Resolution (AAR) No. 2022-154 appropriating $604,400 for the Police Department’s Proposition 64 Public Health and Safety Cohort 2 (Prop. 64) Grant (Requires 5 Affirmative Votes) (Subject to Mayor’s Veto)
5. Authorize the Chief of Police to enter into a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the City of Mendota to hire personnel, purchase equipment, attend training and conduct public outreach and events to raise awareness about the legalization of cannabis in the amount of $452,510 over the three-year performance period of the grant
6. Authorize the Chief of Police to enter into a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Fresno Economic Opportunities Commission (FEOC) for the hiring of personnel to provide therapy and counseling for youth referrals from project partners and conduct monthly youth-focused activities in both the cities of Fresno and Mendota in the amount of $1,100,637 over the three-year performance period of the grant
7. Authorize the Chief of Police to enter into a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Boys & Girls Clubs of Fresno County for the implementation of youth prevention programs including drug prevention and intervention in the amount of $124,410 over the three-year performance period of the grant
8. Authorize the Chief of Police to enter into a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with California State University of Fresno, Foundation to prepare a pre-and post-Local Evaluation Report in the amount of $15,000 over the three-year performance period of the grant
Body
RECOMMENDATIONS
Staff recommends that Council authorize acceptance of $1,958,057 in grant funding from the State of California, Board of State and Community Corrections (BSCC), allowing the Chief of Police to enter into and execute the agreement and any amendments or modifications, adopt a Resolution of the Council of the City of Fresno, authorizing acceptance of $1,958,057 from the California Board of State and Community Corrections (BSCC) for the Fresno Police Department’s Proposition 64 Public Health and Safety Cohort 2 (Prop. 64) grant, adopt the Sixth Amendment to PAR No. 2022-153 adding one full-time Community Services Officer position, and adopt the 20th Amendment to AAR No 2022-154 to appropriate $604,400 funding into the FY 2023 budget. The remaining funds will be utilized in FY 2024. Funds have been awarded for the California Violence Intervention and Prevention Grant program to the Fresno Police Department’s Special Investigations Bureau within the Investigations Division.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The City of Fresno has been awarded grant funds of $1,958,057 from the State of California, Board of State Community Corrections (BSCC) to provide services to the youth and young adolescents on the impacts of the legalization of cannabis within the cities of Fresno and Mendota. The grant period is from May 1, 2021 to October 31, 2024. One full-time position of Community Services Officer (CSO) will be hired to facilitate and administer the city approved public outreach and educational program for youth organizations and educational institutions that outlines the risks of youth use of cannabis, and that identifies resources available to youth related to drugs and drug addiction.
BACKGROUND
In November of 2016, California voters approved Proposition 64, the Control, Regulate and Tax Adult Use of Marijuana Act (AUMA). This act legalized the recreational use of marijuana in California for individuals 21 years of age or older and provided funds in the form of grants to local governments for law enforcement assistance, fire protection, or other local programs addressing public health and safety associated with the implementation of AUMA.
In Fresno County, according to the 2019 Fresno County Student Insight Survey, marijuana was the primary drug of choice for youth ages 12-17; with 82% indicating marijuana was their primary drug of choice in the metropolitan area. According to the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, “of adults 26 years or older who used marijuana before the age of 15, 62% went on to use cocaine at some point in their lives; 9% went on to use heroin at least once; and 54% made some nonmedical use of mind-altering drugs.” In 2017-2018, Fresno County had nearly 3,000 youth under age 26, with over half being between the ages of 12-17, admitted for Substance Use Disorders (SUDs). Fresno County was identified as one of the top five counties with the highest proportion of youth admitted into the Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) monitored SUD treatment facilities.
These statistics are alarming because the brain of youth ages 12-17 are still developing and marijuana use in this age range can lead to declines in school performance, increased risk for mental health issues, impaired driving and potential addiction. Of concern not only for youth, but also for the general public is the increasing potency of THC in cannabis products. According to the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration there has been a 300% increase of THC potency from 1995 at 4% to 17% in 2017. Poverty and a lack of education also play a role. A study published by the Journal of Drug Issues found that the proportion of marijuana users who smoke daily has rapidly grown. In addition, many of those frequent users are poor and lack a high school diploma. The 2017 U.S. Census data indicates that over a third (36.5%) of all youth in Fresno County are living in poverty, and 14% of adults 25 years and older have less than a 9th grade education, which is nearly three times more than the U.S. rate of 5%.
With the grant funding, the City of Fresno Police Department (FPD) and the City of Mendota will collaborate with Fresno Economic Opportunities Commission (Fresno EOC) and the Boys & Girls Clubs to address Youth Development/Youth Prevention and Intervention. This initiative was a mandatory component of the Prop 64 grant. In addition, the FPD and the City of Mendota will prioritize Public Safety so that they may address the impacts of cannabis more broadly. The decision to apply jointly with the City of Mendota was made due to the availability of additional funding under the grant. Individual applicants could apply for up to $1 million and two or more applicants could submit for up to $2 million. And to prevent competition between two geographically close cities and to address the rural community’s issues, the decision was made to apply jointly with the City of Mendota with the City of Fresno being the lead applicant and fiscal agent for the grant.
Over the course of the 3-year grant performance period it is anticipated that a minimum of 4,165 individuals will be served. FPD plans to serve 740 individuals. City of Mendota anticipates serving 2,520. FEOC will serve 680 individuals and the Boys & Girls Clubs will offer services to 225 youth ages 10-18 through their activities under this grant.
The FPD will hire one (1) Community Services Officer (CSO) to facilitate and administer the city approved public outreach and educational program for youth organizations and educational institutions that outlines the risks of youth use of cannabis, and that identifies resources available to youth related to drugs and drug addiction. The CSO will participate and lead neighborhood watch meetings in those districts requesting education on the impacts of the legalization of cannabis, perform community outreach at the various schools and other duties as assigned. FPD also anticipates that overtime will be necessary for officers who are required to conduct enforcement and inspections on businesses not in compliance or those businesses who are operating on the black market.
The City of Mendota intends to conduct public outreach education events and to address the illegal market and ensure local cannabis retail businesses are in compliance with local and state laws. Toward these goals, the City of Mendota plans to add a CSO and a K-9 to be able to build relationships and trust with the community, monitor cannabis activity that may negatively impact the community if not aware of consequences for abuse and violations of the law.
Fresno EOC will use a portion of the allocated grant to fund 30 spots in its Training & Employment (T&E) youth job training/internship program during the three-year grant term. This program targets high school graduates and out-of-school youth and provides them with work-based training, career mentoring, and educational support. Fresno EOC will recruit and hire a clinical psychologist to provide therapy for youth referrals. Fresno EOC will also recruit and hire two substance abuse counselors dedicated to working with youth referrals from all partners in this project. Fresno EOC’s Community Outreach Specialists will conduct monthly youth-focused activities in Mendota, including but not limited to peer support groups, drug-alternative social events, LGBTQ+ friendly safe spaces and more.
The Boys & Girls Club of Fresno County will implement youth prevention programs that increase resistance skills and teach participants to problem-solve in risky situations. With grant funds Boys & Girls Club will offer five programs to 225 youth ages 10-18. The programs are the Phoenix Curriculum, Street SMART, Career Launch Junior Staff - Work Experience and Power Hour. The Phoenix Curriculum is an evidence-based curriculum that provides prevention and intense intervention components. Street SMART is an evidenced-based gang and violence prevention program that offers expanded lessons in drug prevention and an emphasis on resiliency training; Career Launch, is a proven job and career education program; Junior Staff - Work Experience provides teen members with age-appropriate skill-building opportunities with hands-on Club work experience in career development, apprenticeship, customer service and community service and Power Hour, is a homework help and tutoring program.
California State University Fresno, Foundation (CSUFF) will be contracted to provide a Local Evaluation Plan (LEP) and a final Local Evaluation Report (LER). The purpose of the LEP is to ensure that projects funded can be evaluated and is determined at the beginning of the project. The LER is created after project completion to determine whether the overall project was effective in meeting the goals listed in the LEP. In a process evaluation, both qualitative and quantitative research methodologies will be employed as part of a data triangulation strategy, while quantitative data analysis with statistical models will be emphasized in outcome evaluations to assess the impact of each program component.
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 until after October 31, 2024, when the grant expires. The grant provides full cost recovery for all operations, training and supplies for this program during the period of the grant. There is no match. Expenses will be claimed and reimbursed on a quarterly basis. This funding will enable the Fresno Police Department to enhance its current capabilities and response to the impacts of the legalization of cannabis within the City of Fresno.
Attachments:
Grant Agreement
Resolution
Sixth Amendment to the Position Authorization Resolution No. 2022-153
20th Annual Appropriation Resolution No. 2022-154
Memorandum of Understanding with Exhibits - City of Mendota
Memorandum of Understanding with Exhibits - Fresno Economic Opportunities Commission (FEOC)
Memorandum of Understanding with Exhibits - Boys & Girls Clubs of Fresno County
Memorandum of Understanding with Exhibits - California State University Fresno, Foundation