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Consent
Item No. 9.
| MEETING DATE: 11/06/2023 |
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| TO: | HONORABLE MAYOR AND COUNCILMEMBERS |
| FROM: | JIM SADRO, CITY MANAGER By: Adam Foster, Chief of Police |
| SUBJECT: | APPROVE STATE OF CALIFORNIA OFFICE OF TRAFFIC SAFETY (OTS) "SELECTIVE TRAFFIC ENFORCEMENT PROGRAM" (STEP) GRANT IN THE AMOUNT OF $160,000
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RECOMMENDATION:
That the City Council approve and authorize the Chief of Police to accept and execute an agreement with the State of California’s Office of Traffic Safety (OTS) to accept the “Selective Traffic Enforcement Program” (STEP) grant funding in the amount of $160,000 for overtime costs related to extra enforcement operations, collaborative DUI and Traffic Enforcement, travel, and training.
DISCUSSION:
The California Office of Traffic Safety (OTS), in cooperation with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), provides traffic safety grants annually to municipalities that demonstrate a need for funding and to provide proactive enforcement in the area of traffic safety. Grants are awarded based on an individual municipality's needs and state rankings related to traffic safety and funding is provided by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. The funds are intended to offset local costs associated with traffic safety operations and the identification of mechanisms that will aid the recipient city in improving areas of concern with respect to traffic related issues. OTS oversees the grant funding that is available for California law enforcement agencies.
The goals of the grant program include:
The goals of the grant program include:
- Reducing the number of victims killed and injured due to traffic collisions;
- Reducing the number of victims killed and injured due to alcohol and/or drug-involved collisions;
- Reducing the amount of nighttime fatal and injury crashes, and;
- Reducing the number of hit-and-run fatal and injury collisions.
After participating in a competitive grant application process, the City of La Habra has been awarded a grant in the amount of $160,000 to fund the operation of the following traffic safety measures:
- 30 DUI Saturation Patrols;
- 6 Distracted Driving Patrols;
- 20 Traffic Enforcement Patrols Targeting Primary Collision Factors;
- 4 Motorcycle Safety Enforcement Operations;
- 3 DUI/Driver’s License Checkpoints;
- 3 Traffic Safety Educational Presentations;
- 4 Bicycle and Pedestrian Enforcement Operations;
- 3 Highly visible collaborative DUI Enforcement operations;
- 4 Highly visible collaborative Traffic Enforcement operations;
- 2 Street Racing and Sideshow enforcement operations;
- Additional DUI related training for officers;
- $2,963 for in-state travel for staff to attend traffic-related safety conferences;
- $1,232 for supplies and equipment for the safe operation of DUI Checkpoints; and,
- $5,000 towards the purchase of 2 additional LIDAR speed detection devices (valued at $2,500 each) to safely and effectively conduct traffic enforcement operations.
The grant will also provide funding for personnel costs in the amount of $150,805 for overtime enforcement efforts during grant-funded law enforcement traffic safety operations conducted by police department personnel, including the ranks and positions of Lieutenant, Sergeant, Corporal, Officer, Community Service Officer, Dispatcher, and Records Specialist. Personnel will be deployed as directed by the Traffic Unit Supervisor to accomplish the grant’s goals and objectives and overtime reimbursement will reflect the actual cost of the personnel participating in grant related operations.
FISCAL IMPACT/SOURCE OF FUNDING:
The amount allocated by the OTS STEP grant to the City of La Habra is $160,000. If approved by City Council, this amount will fully fund the salary and benefits of additional overtime enforcement efforts, training for DUI enforcement, and bicycle safety programs. No General Fund monies will be required to match or supplement this grant funding.
GENERAL PLAN RELEVANCE/CITY COUNCIL GOALS & OBJECTIVES:
This recommended action is consistent with the following elements of the La Habra General Plan:
PS 1.10 Education and Crime Prevention
PS 1.2 Sworn Personnel
It is also consistent with the following FY 23/24 City Council Goals & Objectives:
Goal 1, Objective G: Improve and enhance traffic and pedestrian safety through regular traffic enforcement, commercial vehicle enforcement, parking enforcement, and DUI enforcement, as well as provide support to the La Habra Neighborhood Traffic Management Plan
Goal 2, Objective G: Pursue grant funding where and when possible to supplement and/or replace direct City funding
PS 1.10 Education and Crime Prevention
PS 1.2 Sworn Personnel
It is also consistent with the following FY 23/24 City Council Goals & Objectives:
Goal 1, Objective G: Improve and enhance traffic and pedestrian safety through regular traffic enforcement, commercial vehicle enforcement, parking enforcement, and DUI enforcement, as well as provide support to the La Habra Neighborhood Traffic Management Plan
Goal 2, Objective G: Pursue grant funding where and when possible to supplement and/or replace direct City funding