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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2003-09-23 - AGENDA REPORTS - LAW ENFORCEMENT BLOCK GRANT (2)CONSENT CALENDAR DATE: SUBJECT: DEPARTMENT: Agenda Item: CITY OF SANTA CLARITA AGENDA REPORT City Manager Approval: Item to be presented by: September 23, 2003 E' Adele Macpherson BUREAU OF JUSTICE ASSISTANCE LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT BLOCK GRANT NO. 8 Parks, Recreation & Community Services RECOMMENDED ACTION City Council accept the Bureau of Justice Assistance Local Law Enforcement Block Grant No. 8 in the amount of $77,561, and authorize City Manager, or designee, to execute any contracts, change orders, or amendments arising out of this program, subject to City Attorney's approval. Increase estimated revenues in the Bureau of Justice Local Law Enforcement Block Grant No. 8, account number 108-5267 for $77,561, and the Transfers In account number 108-6801 for $8,618. Approve transfer of $8,618 from City Council Contingency Fund account number 2250-7401 to the Transfers Out account number 001-9501 for the required cash match. Appropriate $862 to account number 74953-7011 and $85,317 to account number 74953-8110. BACKGROUND In July 2003, the Bureau of Justice Assistance announced the availability of funding for the Local Law Enforcement Block Grant Program. The City of Santa Clarita has been granted a direct award of $77,561. The grant requires a cash match by the City of $8,618, for a total program budget of $86,179. The purpose of the Local Law Enforcement Block Grant is to provide local jurisdictions with opportunities to reduce crime and improve public safety. This is done through the implementation of diverse strategies ranging from addressing the issue of violent juvenile crime, to establishing crime prevention programs involving cooperation between residents and law enforcement personnel. Since 1996, the City of Santa Clarita has been receiving funding from the Bureau of Justice Assistance Local Law Enforcement Block Grant. These funds were used for summer bike patrol, truancy sweeps, alcohol stings, targeted DUI checkpoints, and the Community Interaction Team. The grant stipulates that funding must be used for activities above and beyond the regular duties of the Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff's Station. Funding from this new grant, Local Law Enforcement Block Grant No. 8, will replace existing funding as prior grants end and will enable the City of Santa Clarita to continue supporting community-based policing and the Community Interaction Team. The grant also requires an advisory board that includes representation from groups with recognized interest in criminal justice and crime, or substance abuse, prevention, and treatment. The Prevention Policy Board is assigned as the oversight body to comply with this grant requirement. ALTERNATIVE ACTIONS 1. Decline grant funding. 2. Other direction as determined by City Council. FISCAL IMPACT The anticipated cost of this program is estimated to be $86,179. The grant award of $77,561 requires a cash match of $8,618 requested from the City Council Contingency Fund. Local Law Enforcement Block Grant funding has been cut in the federal budget this year, resulting in a 33% allocation reduction for the City of Santa Clarita. At this funding level, the Community Interaction Team (CIT) Sergeant funded by this grant will be able to provide 40 weeks of service at the current rate of 32 hours per week. The Sheriff's Department is aware of the reduced allocation and its potential impact on the Community Interaction Team. Staff is working closely with the Sheriffs Department to explore options to reduce the negative impact on the programs and services. ATTACHMENTS Award Letter from U.S. Department of Justice U.S. Department of Justice }' Office of Justice Programs Bureau opustice Assistance Office of the Director Washington, D.C. 20531 August 20, 2003 Mr. Pulskamp City Manager, Santa Clarita City 23920 Valencia Blvd. Santa Clarita, CA 91355-5306 RE: Fiscal Year 2003 Local Law Enforcement Block Grants Program Dear Mr. Pulskamp: I am pleased to inform you that I have approved the application for funding under the Bureau of Justice Assistance's (BJA) Fiscal Year 2003 Local Law Enforcement Block Grants (LLEBG) Program in the amount of $77,561 for Santa Clarita City. The purpose of the LLEBG Program is to reduce crime and improve public safety. This Block Grant Award may be used for any of the purpose areas described in the statute. Enclosed you will find the Grant Award and Special Conditions documents. If you have any programmatic questions regarding this award, please contact BJA's Programs Office at (202) 514-6638. In addition, all financial questions regarding this award should be directed to the Office of the Comptroller, Customer Service Division at (800) 458-0786. 1 look forward to a continuing partnership with Santa Clarita City in furtherance of this important criminal justice program. Sincerely yours, C. Camille Cain Acting Director Attachments