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8.C.

City Council Meeting - FINAL

Meeting Date:: 04/03/2018
Co-Submitter:: Stacey Brechler-Knaggs
From:: Jennifer Brown, Special Services Manager

Information

TITLE:

Consideration and Approval of Grant Application(s) and Acceptance upon Award: Approval of Arizona Governor's Office of Highway Safety FY2019 Police Department Grant Application(s) for Law Enforcement Projects and Acceptance Upon Award of grant funding for: (1) DUI Abatement Council Proposal; (2) Driving Under the Influence Task Force; (3) Youth Alcohol Prevention and Interdiction Projects; and (4) the purchase of patrol radar units.

STAFF RECOMMENDED ACTION:

Approve the City of Flagstaff Police Department (FPD) grant application(s) and acceptance of an award from the Arizona Governor's Office of Highway Safety (GOHS) for grant funds in the amount of: (1) $30,000.00 for a DUI Abatement Council Proposal; (2) $56,550.00 for a Driving Under the Influence Task Force; (3) $55,200.00 for Youth Alcohol Prevention and Interdiction Task Force Projects; and (4) $23,025.00 for the purchase of 15 handheld patrol radar units and 5 vehicle mounted radar units.

Executive Summary:

Staff seeks approval of the grant applications and approval upon award of GOHS grant funding for DUI abatement projects and purchases. The City has applied for grant funds for overtime DUI enforcement and investigation of alcohol-related crimes in the City and for the purchase of patrol radar units. These grant funds may not otherwise be available in the City's budget. There is no match requirement for this grant.

Financial Impact:

There is no significant financial impact on the City. The expenditures will be budgeted in FY2019 in account number (001-04-062-6069-2) with 100% offset in grant revenue.

Policy Impact:

No policy impact.

Connection to Council Goal, Regional Plan and/or Team Flagstaff Strategic Plan:

Effective Governance.

Has There Been Previous Council Decision on This:

Yes, Council has approved FPD application(s) and acceptance of grant awards from the GOHS in the past.

Options and Alternatives:

Approve the Grant Application(s) and Acceptance Upon Award; or
Disapprove the Grant Applications(s) and Do Not Accept Award.

Background and History:

The City considers any loss of life or limb to a drug or alcohol-related motor vehicle accidents unacceptable. Every officer in the FPD works to protect life and property through DUI collision reduction. To this end, FPD has conducted both in-service and advanced officer training in DUI detection with a longstanding tradition of aggressive DUI interdiction and enforcement.

FPD has applied for a grant from the GOHS DUI Abatement Council to receive funds for officer overtime activities associated with increased DUI enforcement. The purpose is to provide DUI overtime operations such as task force patrols and directed patrols on weekends and holidays. These additional efforts are staffed by officers on overtime to enhance effectiveness.
FPD has also applied for grant funds from the GOHS to promote a Driving Under the Influence Task Force. Without the financial resources provided by this grant, it is difficult, if not impossible, to staff these operations with on-duty officers as they have a primary responsibility to respond to all manner of calls for service during their shift.
The Youth Alcohol Prevention and Interdiction Projects grant application fits in with FPD's mission to protect and preserve life and property. The FPD has a zero-tolerance policy towards alcohol-related crimes including: minors driving under the influence, minor consumption, misrepresentation of age to purchase alcohol, and contributing to the delinquency of a minor. The FPD expects each of its patrol officers to proactively engage in the arrest of liquor violations. FPD officers are typically attached to patrol squads that work during the evening and nighttime hours. During their shift, these officers are responsible for answering calls for service while remaining vigilant for alcohol violations. However, the City feels that we have the potential to be even more effective and have a greater impact in the area of underage drinking enforcement during known times and locations when these types of violations are more likely to occur. The grant would provide overtime reimbursement funds for directed patrol efforts for the enforcement of underage drinking laws, as well as educational components.
FPD has submitted a grant application to fund the purchase of 15 handheld patrol radar units and 5 vehicle mounted radar units which will assist officers in achieving the City's mission of keeping streets safe. These traffic tools provide assistance for enforcement of traffic laws with an emphasis on citizen complaint zones, school zones, and dangerous intersections.

Key Considerations:

The law-abiding citizens of the City expect and deserve that the streets and neighborhoods will be places where they feel safe. The approval of these grant applications will assist with additional resources to help FPD reduce collisions by removing impaired drivers, conducting underage alcohol prevention/education, and providing patrol radar units so officers are able to enforce speeding violations. The numerous letters and comments the FPD receives regarding traffic violations and concerns from citizens reinforce this goal.

Community Involvement:

The FPD grant applications and approval upon award will assist the Flagstaff Police Department to prevent and control crime, administer justice, and educate the citizens of the City.

Expanded Options and Alternatives:

Inform

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