Agenda Item Wording:
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Authorization to Apply for the CHP Cannabis Tax Fund Grant - Authorize the Visalia Police Department to apply for the California Highway Patrol Cannabis Tax Fund Grant Program for up to $200,000 and submit the application by the February 23, 2024, deadline.
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Deadline for Action: 2/20/2024
Submitting Department: Police Department
Contact Name and Phone Number:
Chief Jason Salazar, ext. 4215, jason.salazar@visalia.city <mailto:jason.salazar@visalia.city>;
Lieutenant Celeste Sanchez, ext. 4573, celeste.sanchez@visalia.city <mailto:celeste.sanchez@visalia.city>;
Sergeant Henry Martinez, ext. 4222, henry.martinez@visalia.city <mailto:henry.martinez@visalia.city>;
Financial Analyst Liz Ybarra, ext. 4250, liz.ybarra@visalia.city <mailto:liz.ybarra@visalia.city>
Department Recommendation:
Authorize the Visalia Police Department to apply for the California Highway Patrol (CHP) Cannabis Tax Fund Grant Program (CTFGP) for up to $200,000 and submit the application by the February 23, 2024, deadline. The grant is effective for FY 24/25, July 1, 2024, through June 30, 2025. Matching funds are not required. Awards will be announced by early summer 2024.
Summary:
The Cannabis Tax Fund Grant Program (CTFGP) can provide funding to enhance current enforcement efforts against alcohol and drug impaired driving. Although this grant is funded by the Adult Use Marijuana Act (AUMA), it is not limited to marijuana impairment and provides specific enforcement and training opportunities to combat all DUI offenses. It specifically allocates funds for equipment, training, and specialized enforcement operations relating to drug and alcohol DUI enforcement efforts. This grant helps equip participating agencies with essential overtime funds, equipment, and resources crucial for comprehensive Driving Under the Influence (DUI) enforcement programs. These programs include, but are not limited to, educational presentations, Alcohol and Drugs Advance Roadside Impairment Detection and Enforcement (ARIDE) trainings, DUI Saturation Patrols, and DUI Checkpoints. Furthermore, the City’s operations can now extend beyond the scope of the Selective Traffic Enforcement Program (STEP) grant awarded in September 2023. This will allow for additional DUI enforcement operations and the acquisition of additional equipment, complementing and expanding upon the resources already secured through the STEP Grant.
The department will request approximately $195,000 in funding for overtime staffing to add 12 DUI Saturations, three (3) DUI Checkpoints, a vehicle to replace a 2003 Ford F150 traffic truck, drugs and narcotics impairment training, supplies for a preliminary Drager Drug Test 5000 drug detector and other essential DUI supplies, such as a generator, lighting, equipment, message boards, and Preliminary Alcohol Screening (PAS) devices.
Background Discussion:
The CHP Grant provides financial assistance to allied agencies for the education, prevention, and the enforcement of laws related to driving under the influence of alcohol and drugs. The intent of the program is to educate the public regarding the dangers of impaired driving, enforce impaired driving laws on the roadway, and improve the agency’s effectiveness through training and development of new strategies. Public education strategies include social media posts and press releases relating to the dangers of impaired driving and upcoming Department DUI enforcement operations. Education efforts will also include presentations at local schools and community events to inform future drivers of the dangers and consequences of driving under the influence of alcohol and drugs.
Funding for the Grant passed with Proposition 64 in 2016, The Control, Regulate and Tax Adult Use Marijuana Act (AUMU); pursuant to Section 34019(f)(3)(B) Revenue and Taxation Code. The CHP adopted regulations within Title 13 of the California Code of Regulations (CCR), Division 2 by adding Chapter 13 which governs this grant.
Fiscal Impact:
Staff will go back to Council to appropriate the funds if Grant is awarded. There are no matching funds required.
The proposed Grant budget is as follows:
|
CHP Cannabis Grant |
Budget |
|
Traffic Truck w/ Upfit |
$96,000 |
|
Overtime |
$75,000 |
|
Training Travel (Required) |
$6,000 |
|
Supplies |
$12,000 |
|
Drager Drug Test Kits |
$6,000 |
|
Total Budget |
$195,000 |
Prior Council Action: N/A
Other: N/A
Alternatives: To not apply for the Grant.
Recommended Motion (and Alternative Motions if expected):
recommendation
Authorize the Visalia Police Department to apply for the California Highway Patrol (CHP) Cannabis Tax Fund Grant Program (CTFGP) for up to $200,000 and submit the application by the February 23, 2024, deadline.
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Environmental Assessment Status: N/A
CEQA Review: N/A
Attachments: Grant Solicitation and Chapter 13 CCR for eligible and ineligible project cost details.