Agenda Item Wording:
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Authorize to accept the Selective Traffic Enforcement Program (STEP) FY 2023-24 Grant in the amount of $170,000 awarded by the California Office of Traffic Safety (OTS), appropriate $20,000 from the General Fund and authorize the Chief of Police to execute the Grant Agreement.
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Deadline for Action: 10/16/2023
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>; Sergeant Henry Martinez, ext. 4232, henry.martinez@visalia.city <mailto:henry.martinez@visalia.city>
Department Recommendation:
It is recommended that the City Council accept the Selective Traffic Enforcement Program (STEP) Grant awarded by the California Office of Traffic Safety (OTS) totaling $170,00 and appropriate $20,000 and authorize the Chief of Police to execute the Grant agreement. The Grant is effective from October 1, 2023, to September 30, 2024.
Summary:
The Visalia Police Department has received notification of the Selective Traffic Enforcement Program (STEP) Grant award from the California Office of Traffic Safety (OTS) on October 1, 2023. The Governor’s Office of Traffic Safety provides participating agencies with 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 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, increase the number of DUI enforcement efforts, and raise public awareness regarding the dangers and consequences associated with drinking and driving. Operations are conducted in areas with disproportionate numbers of alcohol related traffic collisions.
In the 2020-21 grant year, the department recorded a total of 64 injuries from alcohol-related traffic collisions. In the subsequent grant year of 2021-22, this number declined to 30. However, in the most recent grant year of 2022-23, there was a slight increase, resulting in 42 injuries and two alcohol-related fatal traffic collisions. The City of Visalia has seen a steady increase in the number of drivers and vehicles traveling within the city. This grant will provide additional resources to aid the department in enhancing enforcement and educational efforts to provide safer roadways.
Fiscal Impact:
This Grant is budgeted annually and currently has a budget of $150,000 in the Traffic Division 2103. An additional $20,000 in appropriations is required. The General Fund will be reimbursed by the Grant.
Prior Council Action: None.
Other: N/A
Alternatives: Not accept the Grant.
Recommended Motion (and Alternative Motions if expected):
recommendation
Authorize to accept the Selective Traffic Enforcement Program (STEP) FY 2022-23 Grant in the amount of $170,000 awarded by the California Office of Traffic Safety (OTS) and authorize the Chief of Police to execute the Grant Agreement and appropriate an additional $20,000.
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Environmental Assessment Status: N/A
CEQA Review: N/A
Attachments: Grant Agreement.