REPORT TO THE CITY COUNCIL
September 15, 2016
FROM: JERRY P. DYER, Chief of Police
Police Department
BY: ANDREW HALL, Police Captain
Traffic Bureau
SUBJECT
Title
Actions pertaining to the 2017 Selective Traffic Enforcement Program (STEP) grant
1. Authorize the Chief of Police to accept $448,462 in grant funding for the 2017 STEP grant awarded to the Fresno Police Department from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) through the California Office of Traffic Safety (OTS)
2. ***RESOLUTION - 9th amendment to the Annual Appropriation Resolution (AAR) No. 2016-118 appropriating $338,000 for the Police Department’s STEP grant (Requires 5 affirmative votes)
Body
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends that Council authorize acceptance of $448,462 in grant funding from the OTS, allowing the Chief of Police to enter into and execute the agreement and all required documents, and adopt the 9th Amendment to AAR No 2016-118 to appropriate funding into the FY 2017 budget. Funds have been awarded for the 2017 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 $448,462 from the Office of Traffic Safety to undertake the Selective Traffic Enforcement Program (STEP). The grant period is from October 1, 2016, through September 30, 2017. 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. The remaining funds will be budgeted and expended in FY 2018.
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.
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 and will be reimbursed on a quarterly basis.
Attachment:
9th Annual Appropriations Resolution No. 2016-118
Grant Agreement