Agenda Item Wording:
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Public Hearing: Authorization to accept and appropriate federal funding for the 2021 Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) Program through the Bureau Justice Assistance (BJA) in the amount of $37,397.
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Deadline for Action: 11/15/2021
Submitting Department: Police Department
Contact Name and Phone Number: Chief Jason Salazar, ext. 4215, jason.salazar@visalia.city <mailto:jason.salazar@visalia.city> ; Captain Luma Fahoum, ext. 4103, luma.fahoum@visalia.city <mailto:luma.fahoum@visalia.city> ; Financial Analyst Liz Ybarra, ext. 4250, liz.ybarra@visalia.city <mailto:liz.ybarra@visalia.city>
Department Recommendation:
It is recommended that the City Council authorize the City of Visalia to accept and appropriate a JAG Grant award in the amount of $37,397.
Summary:
The City of Visalia is eligible for federal allocation of funds in the amount of $37,397. The 2021 JAG Grant was announced on June 8, 2021 and will fund projects that might otherwise not have been purchased. The Grant application was submitted by the required due date of August 9, 2021. The Grant duration for the expenditure is four (4) years and is effective October 01, 2020, through September 30, 2024. The Grant does not require a local match.
The 2021 JAG Grant requires the City of Visalia to comply with the special conditions and the City Mayor is required to execute the Certification and Assurances document prior to the release of funds. The form is attached for the City of Visalia Mayor’s signature.
Background Discussion:
The Edward Byrne Memorial Assistance Grant (JAG) is the primary provider of federal criminal justice funding to state and local jurisdictions. The Grant provides states and local governments with critical funding necessary to support a range of program areas including law enforcement, court, prevention, education, drug treatment, enforcement, and technology improvement programs. The JAG Grant is administered through the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ).
The City of Visalia has received the JAG Grant for several years and the funds have primarily been used for public safety equipment and technology upgrades. Funding for JAG 2021 increased by $7,630 compared to the 2020 funds of $29,767. Funding for this Grant is calculated by a JAG formula and is determined by the level of violent crime data reporting.
The 2021 JAG application was submitted on July 27, 2021. The City will use the funds for six (6) Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS), one session in the Executive Leadership Institute at Drucker School of Management at Claremont Graduate University and for the required 3% set aside for the National Incident-Based Reporting System (NIBRS) training. A brief description of each expenditure is presented below.
The Police Department established an Unmanned Aerial System (UAS) Unit in 2017 consisting of six (6) pilots. The UAS Team recently selected four (4) new pilots in 2020. These new members have not been issued drones for use during training and on-duty deployments. UAS staff has identified the DJI Mavic Mini 2 as the desired equipment platform for this application after conducting research and testing of the product. Selecting the lower priced DJI Mavic Mini 2 will allow the remaining four pilots to be issued drones without compromising quality. Purchasing these four drones will outfit the remaining members of the Team, which will allow for more coverage when a drone is needed.
Currently, the UAS Team does not have a drone with Forward-Looking Infrared (FLIR) capabilities. The DJI Mavic 2 Enterprise Advanced with Fly More Kit is outfitted with a FLIR camera and allows the user to function both the FLIR camera and standard camera at the same time, which is beneficial when searching for missing persons. The additional accessory, DJI Mavic 2 Enterprise Fly More Kit, provides extra parts to service the drone as well as long lasting batteries. Purchasing this drone with its accessory will allow the Team to better serve the community during missing person investigations by providing UAS services during nighttime hours.
The UAS Team does not have a drone capable of conducting building searches. Utilizing a drone to conduct such building searches provides a much safer alternative than using an officer. The Loki MK2 Multi-Drone Set is the industry standard device for conducting indoor searches and tasks. The additional accessory, Loki MK2 Negotiator Payload, will allow pilots to communicate via a speaker attached to the drone. Purchasing this drone with its accessory will allow the Team to conduct building searches with a drone, rather than an officer, providing employees with a tool that keeps them safe.
There are currently three members of the UAS Team that have not been issued Apple iPad minis to operate their assigned drones. Outfitting these members of the Team will allow full deployment during operations as well as creating more coverage by on duty personnel. Each Apple iPad mini becomes the controlling device for the drone; therefore, requires a data plan to use in the field.
The purchase of these six drones, two attachments, and three Apple iPad minis with data plans will enhance the Department’s tactical competencies during critical incidents, missing person searches, and building searches. The UAS Team can visually survey locations at the request of several City of Visalia Departments such as Fire, Planning and Code Enforcement. This specialized equipment saves lives and keeps officers out of danger. It is a valuable tool that provides vital information and de-escalation options during critical incidents. It can be deployed to assist with coordinating a response to mass casualty events and natural disasters. UAS technology enhances our crime scene and accident investigation capabilities and is used for search and rescue operations and for locating missing and endangered persons. Aerial surveillance is a vital tool when monitoring protests, mass gatherings, and other large events. It is a cost-effective alternative to helicopters and fixed-wing aircraft. The budget for this is $26,305.
The cost of the UAS is detailed below:
|
Quantity |
Item Description |
Unit Cost |
Amount |
|
4 |
DJI Mavic Mini 2 |
$600 |
$2,400 |
|
1 |
DJI Mavic 2 Enterprise Advanced |
$6,500 |
$6,500 |
|
1 |
Loki MK2 Multi-Drone Set |
$470 |
$470 |
|
1 |
Loki MK2 Negotiator Payload (Accessory) |
$9,750 |
$9,750 |
|
1 |
DJI Mavic 2 Enterprise Fly More Kit (Accessory) |
$3,105 |
$3,105 |
|
3 |
Apple iPad Mini |
$650 |
$1,950 |
|
|
Tax/Freight |
|
$2,130 |
|
Total |
$26,305 |
In addition to the cost of the equipment, there will be annual data plan charges of approximately $1,400 that will be charged to Police operations.
The City will use its JAG 2021 funds to send a command staff executive to the Executive Leadership Institute (ELI) at Drucker School of Management at Claremont Graduate University. This course is provided through the California Police Chiefs Association and is comparable to the Senior Management Institute for Policing that is held on the east coast and presented by the Police Executive Research Forum. The course is designed for senior police law enforcement managers and executives to enhance the abilities of law enforcement leaders to provide modern leadership strategies for their departments and communities. ELI offers students the opportunity for a Drucker inspired learning environment where the principles of Peter F. Drucker, the inventor of modern management, are taught from a law enforcement perspective. It is an all-inclusive 14-day program that includes lodging, meals, books, materials, and program activities. All students must stay on campus and must have a bachelor’s degree to attend. The training is designed for management level staff. A Lieutenant will be attending this training located in Claremont, CA. The budget for this is $9,800
As required by the Grant, the City of Visalia will set aside $1,292 for the National Incident-Based Reporting System (NIBRS) training. In 2021, the Department of Justice will be transitioning their reporting requirements from Uniform Crime Reporting (UCR) to NIBRS. In anticipation of these changes, Department staff will attend NIBRS training courses, which are scheduled for Fall of 2021.
Fiscal Impact:
The equipment and training will be reimbursed by the grant. A nNew CIP for UAS equipment of $26,305 will be established and add $9,800 added to CIP CP0375 for executive training that will take place within 24 months. The budget for the NIBRS training is included in the Departments training budget. In addition, there will be annual data plan charges of approximately $1,400 that will be funded by the General Fund annually.
Prior Council Action: N/A
Other: N/A
Alternatives: Not to accept the Grant.
Recommended Motion (and Alternative Motions if expected):
recommendation
Authorization to accept and appropriate federal funding for the 2021 Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) Program through the Bureau Justice Assistance (BJA) in the Amount of $37,397.
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Environmental Assessment Status: N/A
CEQA Review: N/A
Attachments: Yes.