Agenda Item Wording:
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Authorize the Visalia Police Department to apply for the 2023-2024 California Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) Grant program for up to $100,000 and submit the grant application by April 3, 2023.
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Deadline for Action: 2/23/2023
Submitting Department: Police Department
Contact Name and Phone Number: Chief Jason Salazar, ext. 4215, jason.salazar@visalia.city <mailto:jason.salazar@visalia.city> ; Financial Analyst Liz Ybarra, ext. 4250, liz.ybarra@visalia.city <mailto:liz.ybarra@visalia.city> ; Lieutenant Celeste Sanchez, ext. 4573 celeste.sanchez@visalia.city <mailto:celeste.sanchez@visalia.city> ; Sergeant Mark Feller, ext. 4083, mark.feller@visalia.city <mailto:mark.feller@visalia.city>
Department Recommendation:
Authorize the Visalia Police Department to apply for the 2023-2024 California Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) grant program for up to $100,000 and submit the application by April 3, 2023. There are no matching funds required by the City. The grant period will begin on July 1, 2023, and end on June 30, 2024 and will not be effective until the State of California submits the award contract. In accordance with the State Budget Act, only law enforcement agencies within the State of California can apply.
Summary:
The Visalia Police Department plans on utilizing the funds to provide staffing and resources for 1 year. It focuses on enforcement and training campaigns aimed at reducing sales of alcoholic beverages to minors at ABC licensed businesses. The evaluations of these operations throughout the year will include the success of enforcement actions and statistics showing the compliance rate for said establishments. The Department’s objectives are to increase compliance through educational outreach, decrease calls for service regarding alcohol sales to minors, and an increase in merchant and public awareness regarding underage drinking. The Visalia Police Department will utilize media outlets to create merchant and public awareness. The Department plans to achieve these objectives by: (1) Providing education to ABC licensed establishments through the IMPACT program; (2) conducting an education/information campaign through media and social media outlets; (3) conducting enforcement details using the best and most promising practices, and; (4) training law enforcement officers regarding ABC enforcement and procedures.
The Visalia Police Department is committed to providing all necessary staff and resources to ensure that the grant is effectively managed. All proposed personnel assigned to manage this grant have lengthy experience in writing, managing, and executing of grant projects. The Visalia Police Department will utilize a Sergeant to supervise the grant and up to 4 Visalia Police Department officers to assist with the required enforcement and compliance operations. The officers assigned to assist with the grant are experienced with ABC enforcement and compliance.
Background Discussion:
The City of Visalia has 201 on-sale retail establishments and 110 off-sale establishments totaling 311 locations.
The grant, in cooperation with Alcoholic Beverage Control agents and Visalia Code Enforcement officers, enhances the abilities and resources available for compliance, enforcement, and education campaign aimed at reducing alcohol related crimes and the sale of alcohol to minors at the 302 ABC licensed establishments with the City of Visalia. These grant operations have been successful in the past. The Department’s expectations are to see a decline in calls for service regarding alcohol sales to minors and an increase in merchant and public awareness regarding underage drinking.
Fiscal Impact:
If grant is awarded, staff will go back to Council and appropriate the necessary funds and submit a Resolution for approval. Invoices and progress reports to the State are required monthly.
Prior Council Action: N/A
Other: N/A
Alternatives: Do not authorize the Police Department to submit the grant application.
Recommended Motion (and Alternative Motions if expected):
recommendation
I move to authorize the Visalia Police Department to apply for the 2023-2024 California Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) Grant Program for up to $100,000 and submit the grant application by April 3, 2023.
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Environmental Assessment Status: N/A
CEQA Review: N/A
Attachments: Grant guidelines