Agenda Item Wording:
title
Accept and appropriate the Selective Traffic Enforcement Program (STEP) FY 2021/22 Grant in the amount of $235,000 awarded by the California Office of Traffic Safety (OTS) and authorize the Chief of Police to execute the Grant Agreement.
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Deadline for Action: 9/20/2021
Submitting Department: Police Department
Contact Name and Phone Number: Chief Jason Salazar, ext. 4215, jason.salazar@visalia.city <mailto:jason.salazar@visalia.city> ; Captain Candido Alvarez, ext. 4303, candido.alvarez@visalia.city <mailto:candido.alvarez@visalia.city> ; Financial Analyst Liz Ybarra, ext.4250, liz.ybarra@visalia.city <mailto:liz.ybarra@visalia.city> ; Sergeant Greg Byerlee, ext.4232, greg.byerlee@visalia.city <mailto:greg.byerlee@visalia.city> ; Agent Nate Henry, ext. 4233, nathan.henry@visalia.city <mailto:nathan.henry@visalia.city>
Department Recommendation:
It is recommended that the City Council accept and appropriate the Selective Traffic Enforcement Program (STEP) Grant awarded by the California Office of Traffic Safety (OTS) totaling $235,000 and to authorize the Chief of Police to execute the Grant Agreement. The Grant is effective from October 1, 2021, to September 30, 2022.
Summary:
The Visalia Police Department has received notification of the Selective Traffic Enforcement Program (STEP) Grant award from the California Office of Traffic Safety on August 31, 2021. The Governor’s Office of Traffic Safety provides participating agencies the overtime funds, equipment, and resources necessary to operate complete Driving Under the Influence (DUI) enforcement programs. The Grant will supply funding for the Department to enhance its traffic enforcement and educational efforts including, but not limited to: DUI Checkpoints and saturation patrols, distracted driver, motorcycle safety, pedestrian/bicycle enforcement operations, and several traffic safety educational presentations.
Background Discussion:
With various strategies, DUI enforcement is aggressively targeted through checkpoints, saturation details, traffic enforcement, distracted driver, motorcycle details and traffic safety education. The Grant is dedicated to reducing the number of alcohol-related collisions, increasing the number of DUI enforcement efforts, and raising general public awareness regarding the problems associated with drinking and driving. Operations are conducted in areas with disproportionate numbers of traffic collisions. In 2019, the Department had a total of 75 injuries and fatalities attributed to alcohol-related traffic collisions. In 2020, the number of injuries and fatalities increased to 83. This Grant will provide additional resources to aid the Department in enhancing our enforcement and educational efforts to provide for safer roadways in the City of Visalia that have seen a steady increase in the number of drivers and vehicles in transit within the City.
Fiscal Impact:
Appropriate an additional $5,000 in Division 2103 for FY 2021/22 in the General Fund which will be reimbursed by the Grant. $230,000 was appropriated in Division 2103 during the City-wide budget approval process for FY 2021/22.
Prior Council Action: N/A
Other: N/A
Alternatives: Not accept the Grant.
Recommended Motion (and Alternative Motions if expected):
recommendation
Accept and appropriate the Selective Traffic Enforcement Program (STEP) FY 2021/22 Grant in the amount of $235,000 awarded by the California Office of Traffic Safety (OTS) and authorize the Chief of Police to execute the Grant Agreement.
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Environmental Assessment Status: NA
CEQA Review: N/A
Attachments: (1) PDF - Grant Agreement