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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2012/04/24 Item 08CITY COUNCIL AGENDA STATEMENT ~`~~ CITY OF CHULAVISTA 04/24/2012 Item ITEM TITLE: SUBMITTED BY REVIEWED BY: PUBLIC HEARING TO CONSIDER ACCEPTANCE OF THE 2012 EDWARD BYRNE MEMORIAL JUSTICE ASSISTANCE GRANT FUNDS RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF CHULA VISTA ACCEPTING $57,324 FROM THE BUREAU OF JUSTICE ASSISTANCE FOR THE 2012 EDWARD BYRNE MEMORIAL~JUSTICE ASSISTANCE GRANT CHIEF OF POLICE (T CITY MANAGE YES NO X SUMMARY The Police Department has recently received notice of the 2012 Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant award in the amount of $57,324 from the Bureau of Justice Assistance. These funds were allocated to the Police Department based on city population and Part 1 violent crime statistics. ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW This proposed activity has been reviewed for compliance with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and it has been determined that the activity is not a "Project" as defined under Section 15378 of the State CEQA Guidelines because it will not result in a physical change in the 15060(c)(3) of the State CEQA Guidelines, environmental review is necessary. RECOMMENDATION environment; therefore, pursuant to Section the activity is not subject to CEQA. Thus, no Council conduct the public hearing and adopt the resolution. BOARDS/COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION Not Applicable. 8-1 04/24/2012, Item Page 2 of 3 DISCUSSION Proposed to streamline justice funding and grant administration, the Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) Program allows states, tribes, and local governments to support a broad range of activities to prevent and control crime based on their local needs and conditions. JAG blends the previous Byrne Formula and Local Law Enforcement Block Grant (LLEBG) Programs to provide agencies with the flexibility to prioritize and place justice funds where they are needed most. Federal funds from the Edward Byme Memorial JAG Program must be used to supplement existing funds for program activities and cannot replace, or supplant, nonfederal funds that have been appropriated for the same purpose. The unit of local government must provide an assurance that the application or any future amendment was made public and an opportunity to comment was provided to citizens and the neighborhood or community organizations to the extent of applicable law. Local match is not required with the JAG Program. The Police Department received notice on March 28, 2012, of an Edward Byrne Memorial JAG award in the amount of $57,324 from the Bureau of Justice Assistance. These funds were allocated to the Police Department based on city population and Part 1 violent crime statistics. Part 1 violent crimes include murder and non-negligent manslaughters, forcible rape, robbery, and aggravated assaults as reported by the FBI. Acceptance and appropriation of these funds requires a public hearing per stipulations of the Justice Assistance Grant. The Police Department recommends using the JAG funds for the personnel costs of a Police Community Relations Specialist. The Community Relations Unit was disbanded in the Police Department during previous budget cuts. The Police Community Relations Specialist was reinstated through 2009 American Reinvestment and Recovery Act (ARRA) funds, covering atwo-year period of July 2009 to June 2011. When ARRA funds were depleted, JAG funds covered this position for another year. The Police Department is recommending to use JAG again to provide continued funding for the Police Community Relations Specialist during fiscal year 2012/2013. The Police Community Relations Specialist provides a vital link between the community and the Police Department by attending community meetings, coordinating events which involve the community, providing Crime Prevention through Environmental Design assessments for homeowners and businesses, coordinating the annual Citizens Police Academy and the Teen Police Academy, and responds to general inquiries and questions to the Police Department. This position plays an invaluable role in the Department's Geographic Policing philosophy. $-2 04/24/2012, Item Page 3 of 3 DECISION MAKER CONFLICT Staff has reviewed the decision contemplated by this action and has determined that it is not site specific and consequently the 500-foot rule found in California Code of Regulations section 18704.2(a)(1) is not applicable to this decision. CURRENT YEAR FISCAL IMPACT Approval of this resolution will result in the acceptance of $57,324 for the 2012 Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant from the Bureau of Justice Assistance. These funds will be spent next fiscal year, which has no net fiscal impact in the current yeaz. ONGOING FISCAL IMPACT A $57,324 appropriation to the personnel category of the Local Law Enforcement Block Grant Fund will be incorporated in the fiscal year 2012/2013 proposed budget and be considered as part of the normal budget process. The funding from the 2012 Edwazd Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant will completely offset the personnel costs, resulting in no net fiscal impact to the General Fund. The current proposal provides one year funding for the position outlined in this report. The Department will seek additional funding in subsequent fiscal years. If no additional funding is obtained, then the position may need to be eliminated. ATTACHMENTS None. Prepared by: Jonathan Alegre, Principal Management Analyst, Police Department 8-3 RESOLUTION NO. RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF CHULA VISTA ACCEPTING $57,324 FROM THE BUREAU OF JUSTICE ASSISTANCE FOR THE 2012 EDWARD BYRNE MEMORIAL JUSTICE ASSISTANCE GRANT WHEREAS, the Police Department received notice from the Bureau of Justice Assistance of the 2012 Edwazd Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant awazd in the amount of $57,324; and WHEREAS, the grant funding from the Bureau of Justice Assistance for the 2012 Edwazd Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant will be used for the personnel costs of one Police Community Relations Specialist; and WHEREAS, the Police Community Relations Specialist provides a vital link between the community and the Police Department and plays an invaluable role in the Department's Geographic Policing philosophy; and WHEREAS, a public heazing was conducted to seek input regarding the grant appropriations. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED with the above findings incorporated herein, the City Council of the City of Chula Vista does hereby accept $57,324 from the Bureau of Justice Assistance for the 2012 Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant and authorize staff to incorporate said funds to the personnel category of the fiscal yeaz 2013 proposed budget of Local Law Enforcement Block Grant Fund. Presented by: Approved as to form by: David Bejarano Police Chief Glen R. Googins City Attorney 8-4