REPORT TO THE CITY COUNCIL
January 25, 2018
FROM: JERRY P. DYER, Chief of Police
Police Department
BY: PATRICK FARMER, Deputy Police Chief
Investigations Division
SUBJECT
Title
Actions pertaining to the 2017 Law Enforcement Specialized Unit Program:
1. ***Authorize acceptance of $203,143 in grant funding from the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services’ Law Enforcement Specialized Unit Program to the Fresno Police Department. (Subject to Mayoral Veto)
2. Approve a Memorandum of Understanding with the Marjaree Mason Center.
3. ***RESOLUTION - 45th amendment to the Annual Appropriation Resolution (AAR) No. 207-165 appropriating $116,400 for the Police Department’s Domestic Violence grant. (Requires 5 affirmative votes) (Subject to Mayoral veto)
Body
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends that Council approve acceptance of $203,143 in grant funding from the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services (CalOES) Law Enforcement Specialized Unit (LE) Program for the Fresno Police Department’s Domestic Violence (DV) Unit within the Family Justice Bureau (Domestic Violence grant); approve a Memorandum of Understand (MOU) with the Marjaree Mason Center (MMC) as identified in the LE Program grant agreement; adopt the 45th Amendment to AAR No 2017-165 to appropriate $116,400 funding into the FY 2018 budget; and authorize the Chief of Police to enter into and execute the agreements and all required documents. The remaining grant funds will be utilized in FY 2019.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The City of Fresno has been awarded grant funds of $203,143 from CalOES to augment the current capabilities of the DV Unit. The grant period is from January 1, 2018, to December 31, 2018, with two additional non-competitive funded years with a grant end date of December 31, 2020. The goal of the LE Program grant is to work in partnership with the MMC for the purpose of providing maximum available assistance for victims of domestic violence and their children within the City of Fresno. The program will allow for the addition of three victim advocates, for a total of five advocates. This will meet the need for immediate response to victims and their families, and provide resources to them as soon as law enforcement is notified of the incident. The grant funds will be used to fund the additional victim advocates and enhance the DV Unit by addressing violence against victims through investigation, immediate response, immediate victim advocacy, and training for law enforcement officers
BACKGROUND
The Domestic Violence grant will allow us to expand our current capacity in response to victims and their children. With this funding, we are requesting to add three additional domestic violence victim advocates, for a total of five advocates. With three additional advocates the City will allow advocate coverage for evening hours and weekends. The advocates will be assigned to the field and respond with patrol officers to calls for service related to domestic violence. By creating this quick response, victims will feel as though they have instantaneous help and reassurance that law enforcement cares and is doing everything possible to support them. Additionally, victims of domestic violence and their children will have immediate resources available through the MMC, such as emergency housing, provided crisis intervention, advocacy, support groups, counseling, legal advocacy, 24-hour crisis hotline, survival skills, legal options classes, and information and referrals. This grant program will allow us to expand our capabilities as an agency to reach out to all victims and ensure that services are offered and encouraged for all victims.
The MOU with the MMC has been reviewed and approved by the City Attorney’s Office.
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. Advocates hired by the Marjaree Mason Center are contracted for the three years of the grant. At the conclusion, they will return to MMC to work on other projects. 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 victims of domestic violence within the City of Fresno.
Attachment: 45th Annual Appropriations Resolution No. 2017-165
Grant Award Letter
MOU Agreement with Marjaree Mason Center