Agenda Item Wording:
title
Confirm a grant submittal for the Alcohol Policing Program - Confirm the Visalia Police Department’s grant submission to the California Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control Office of Traffic Safety Grant Program for the maximum amount of $30,000 funded by the Office of Traffic Safety through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, which was submitted on August 7, 2026.
body
Agenda Date: 08/17/2026
Prepared by:
Police Chief Jason Salazar, 559-713-4215, jason.salazar@visalia.gov;
Police Lieutenant Mona Whaley, 559-713-4105, mona.whaley@visalia.gov;
Financial Analyst Liz Ybarra, 559-713-4250, liz.ybarra@visalia.gov
Department Recommendation:
Confirm the Visalia Police Department’s grant submission on August 7, 2026, for the California Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) Office of Traffic Safety (OTS) Grant Program for the maximum amount of $30,000 funded by OTS through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). The grant is effective from 10/1/2026 to 8/31/2027. Due to time constraints, staff was unable to request authorization prior to the application deadline and are therefore requesting confirmation of the grant submission.
Summary:
The Visalia Police Department plans on utilizing the funds to provide staffing and resources for one (1) year. It focuses on enforcement and training campaigns aimed at reducing sales of alcoholic beverages to minors at ABC licensed businesses. The evaluations of these operations throughout the year will include the success of enforcement actions and statistics showing the compliance rate for said establishments. The department's objectives are to increase compliance through educational outreach, decrease calls for service regarding alcohol sales to minors, and an increase in merchant and public awareness regarding underage drinking. The Visalia Police Department will utilize media outlets to create merchant and public awareness. The Department plans to achieve these objectives by: (1) Providing education to ABC licensed establishments through the IMPACT program; (2) conducting an education/ information campaign through media and social media outlets; (3) conducting enforcement details using the best and most promising practices and; (4) training law enforcement officers regarding ABC enforcement and procedures.
The Visalia Police Department is committed to providing all necessary staff and resources to ensure that the grant is effectively managed. All proposed personnel assigned to manage this grant have lengthy experience in the writing, managing, and executing of grant projects. The Visalia Police Department will utilize a Sergeant to supervise the grant and up to four (4) Visalia Police Department officers to assist with the required enforcement and compliance operations. The officers assigned to assist with the grant are experienced with ABC enforcement and compliance.
Background Discussion:
Staff were notified by the California Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) to participate in the ABC-OTS Local Enforcement Grant. The deadline for the grant application was August 14, 2026 and city staff submitted the application on August 7, 2026.
The City of Visalia has 205 on-sale retail establishments and 116 off-sale establishments totaling 321 locations.
The grant, in cooperation with Alcoholic Beverage Control Agents and Visalia Code Enforcement Officers enhances the abilities and resources available for compliance, enforcement and education campaign aimed at reducing alcohol related crimes and the sale of alcohol to minors at the 321 ABC licensed establishments with the City of Visalia. These grant operations have been successful in the past. The Department’s expectations are to see a decline in calls for service regarding alcohol sales to minors and an increase in merchant and public awareness regarding underage drinking.
Fiscal Impact including annual maintenance and operating costs:
If awarded, staff will return to Council for the required acceptance of the agreement, appropriations, and resolution. There are no matching funds required.
Prior Council Action: None.
Alternatives: N/A
Recommended Motion (and Alternative Motions if expected):
recommendation
I move to confirm the Visalia Police Department’s grant submission to the California Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) Office of Traffic Safety (OTS) grant program for the maximum amount of $30,000 funded by OTS through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), which was submitted on August 7, 2026.
Environmental Assessment Status: N/A
CEQA Review: N/A
Deadline for Action: 08/17/2026
Attachments: Grant Announcement.
Strategic Goal: Indicates which City Strategic Goal(s) this item supports. Check all that apply.
|
☐ Economic Vitality |
☐  Organizational Excellence |
☒ Fiscal Strength |
☐  Infrastructure & Growth |
☒  Quality of Life |