Agenda Item Wording:
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Authorize the acceptance of the California Healthcare, Research, and Prevention Tobacco Tax Act Grant award totaling $101,746 and, for the expenses in this fiscal year, appropriate $16,460 for the first year provided by the California Department of Justice (DOJ) for the Tobacco Grant Program authorized under the California Healthcare, Research and Prevention Tobacco Act of 2016, and adopt Resolution 2022-05 regarding the Grant to be executed. The Grant is effective through 6/30/2025.
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Deadline for Action: 2/7/2022
Submitting Department: Police Department
Contact Name and Phone Number: Chief Jason Salazar, ext. 4215, jason.salazar@visalia.city <mailto:jason.salazar@visalia.city>; Lieutenant Kevin Kroeze, ext. 4573, kevin.kroeze@visalia.city <mailto:kevin.kroeze@visalia.city>; Financial Analyst Liz Ybarra, ext. 4250, liz.ybarra@visalia.city <mailto:liz.ybarra@visalia.city>; Sergeant Bill Diltz, ext. 4160, bill.diltz@visalia.city
Department Recommendation:
Authorize the acceptance of the California Healthcare, Research, and Prevention Tobacco Tax Act Grant award totaling $101,746 and, for the expenses in this fiscal year, appropriate $16,460 for the first year provided by the California Department of Justice (DOJ) for the Tobacco Grant Program authorized under the California Healthcare, Research and Prevention Tobacco Act of 2016, and adopt Resolution 2022-05 regarding the Grant to be executed. The Grant is effective through 6/30/2025.
Summary:
The Visalia Police Department recently received notification of the California Healthcare, Research and Prevention Tobacco Tax Act Grant award from the California Department of Justice (DOJ) on November 18, 2021. The Department of Justice provides participating agencies the overtime funds, equipment, resources, and training necessary to educate minors, enforce state and local laws regarding tobacco sales to minors, and conduct retailer enforcement. The Grant will supply funding for the Department to conduct a variety of enforcement and education actions, including but not limited to: minor decoy operations, shoulder tap operations, educational presentations, and retailer training. All of which will be directed at the sales of tobacco products to minors.
Background Discussion:
Through enforcement strategies, compliance checks, and training of retailers, the dangers of tobacco use/consumption by minors is important to the Visalia Police Department. The Grant is dedicated to enforcing the rising concern of sales of tobacco to minors. Operations will be conducted at locations throughout the City of Visalia that have had complaints of minors buying/using tobacco, locations known to sell to minors, and other criteria. Tobacco and vaping products have become increasingly popular among minors and have been proven to cause health problems. The Tobacco Tax Act Grant is designed to help law enforcement focus on businesses that have been selling these products to the youth within the city.
Fiscal Impact:
The Grant was approved only for staff overtime and benefits of Workers Compensation and Federal Insurance Contributions Act (FICA) for reimbursement. Adjust division 2102 overtime budget in the amount of $16,460 in year one (1); the remaining amount will be appropriated within the next two budget cycles. The grant is effective through 6/30/2025. Staff can submit up to three (3) budget modifications per fiscal year but is limited to moving funds from one fiscal year to another.
Prior Council Action: None.
Other: N/A
Alternatives: Refuse Grant acceptance.
Recommended Motion (and Alternative Motions if expected):
recommendation
Authorize the acceptance of the California Healthcare, Research, and Prevention Tobacco Tax Act Grant award totaling $101,746 and, for the expenses in this fiscal year, appropriate $16,460 for the first year provided by the California Department of Justice (DOJ) for the Tobacco Grant Program authorized under the California Healthcare, Research and Prevention Tobacco Act of 2016, and adopt Resolution 2022-05 regarding the Grant to be executed. The Grant is effective through 6/30/2025.
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Environmental Assessment Status: N/A
CEQA Review: N/A
Attachments: Yes.