Agenda Item Wording:
title
Authorization to Accept the ABC Grant - Confirm the Visalia Police Department’s grant submission on September 12, 2025, and authorize the City of Visalia to accept, and if awarded appropriate, $30,000 and authorize Resolution 2025-68 for the Fiscal Year 2025-2026 California Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) Grant Program.
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Prepared by:
Police Chief Jason Salazar, 559-713-4215; jason.salazar@visalia.gov;
Police Lieutenant Mona Whaley, 559-713-4105; mona.whaley@visalia.gov;
Financial Analyst Liz Ybarra, 559-713-4250; liz.ybarra@visalia.gov
Department Recommendation:
Confirm the Visalia Police Department’s grant submission on September 12, 2025, and authorize the City of Visalia to accept, and if awarded appropriate,e $30,000 and authorize Resolution 2025-68 for FY 2025-2026 California Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) grant program.
Summary:
The Visalia Police Department plans on utilizing the funds to provide staffing and resources for one (1) year. It focuses on enforcement and training campaigns aimed at reducing sales of alcoholic beverages to minors at Alcoholic Beverage Control (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 the writing, managing, and executing of grant projects. The Visalia Police Department will utilize a Police Sergeant to supervise the grant and up to four (4) Police 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 199 on-sale retail establishments and 113 off-sale establishments totaling 312 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 awarded, funds will be used for staff overtime. Reimbursement claims and progress reports will be submitted as required by the grant. The grant will reimburse the General Fund. A standard State contract will be executed.
Prior Council Action: N/A
Other: N/A
Alternatives: Do not accept the grant.
Recommended Motion (and Alternative Motions if expected):
recommendation
Confirm the Visalia Police Department’s grant submission on September 12, 2025, and authorize the City of Visalia to accept, and, if awarded, appropriate $30,000 and authorize Resolution 2025-68 for the FY 2025-2026 California Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) Grant Program.
Environmental Assessment Status: N/A
CEQA Review: N/A
Deadline for Action: 9/15/2025
Attachments: Grant Guidelines.