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Consent
Item No. 7.
| MEETING DATE: 10/07/2024 |
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| TO: | HONORABLE MAYOR AND COUNCILMEMBERS |
| FROM: | JIM SADRO, CITY MANAGER By: Adam Foster, Chief of Police |
| SUBJECT: | APPROVE FISCAL YEAR 2024-2025 OFFICE OF TRAFFIC SAFETY "SELECTIVE TRAFFIC ENFORCEMENT PROGRAM" (STEP) GRANT FUNDING IN THE AMOUNT OF $180,000.
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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 $180,000 to fund 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 provides 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 help offset local costs associated with traffic safety operations and to help identify mechanisms that will aid the recipient agency 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:
- Reduce the number of victims killed and injured in crashes.
- Reduce the number of victims killed and injured in alcohol-involved crashes.
- Reduce the number of victims killed and injured in drug-involved crashes.
- Reduce the number of motorcyclists killed and injured in crashes.
- Reduce the number of motorcyclists killed and injured in alcohol-involved crashes.
- Reduce the number of persons injured and killed in alcohol/drug combo-involved crashes.
- Reduce nighttime fatal crashes (9:00 pm to 3:00 am).
- Reduce nighttime injury crashes (9:00 pm to 3:00 am).
- Reduce hit-and-run fatal and injury crashes.
- 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
- 6 Bicycle and Pedestrian Enforcement Operations
- 2 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
- $3,150 for in-state travel to traffic-related safety conferences
- $1,507 for supplies and equipment for the safe operation of DUI Checkpoints.
- $4,800 towards the purchase of 6 new PAS (Preliminary Alcohol Screening) devices, a breathalyzer machine used during field sobriety tests to determine if an individual is under the influence of alcohol.
If approved by Council, the $180,000 in grant proceeds will be distributed as follows:
- $170,543 for Personnel Costs (at an overtime rate associated with the operation of various grant qualified operations)
- $3,150 for staff Travel Expenses
- $6,307 for other Direct Costs related to the program
Personnel costs $170,543
The grant provides funding for personnel costs in the amount of $170,543 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. Costs are calculated based on an approximate overtime hourly rate of $39.02/hour to $130.00/hour.
| Overtime Benefit Rates | |
| Unemployment Insurance | 0.20% |
| Workers' Compensation | 10.02% |
| Medicare | 1.45% |
| TOTAL BENEFIT RATE | 11.67% |
Travel Expense $3,150
Grant funding is available for costs associated with approved staff attending conferences and training events in support of the grant’s goals and objectives, and/or grant-related traffic safety topics. Local mileage for grant activities and meetings is included. All conferences, seminars or training not specifically identified in the budget narrative must be approved by OTS. All claimed travel expenses must be at the agency’s approved rate. Per Diem may not be claimed for meals provided at conferences when registration fees are paid with OTS grant funds.
Other Direct Costs $6,307
These funds will be expended for DUI checkpoint supplies including six new Preliminary Alcohol Screening (PAS) devices in the amount of $4,800, and for other supplies and equipment for the safe operation of DUI checkpoints in the amount of $1,507.
FISCAL IMPACT/SOURCE OF FUNDING:
The amount allocated by the OTS STEP grant to the City of La Habra is $180,000.00. If approved by City Council, this amount will fully fund the salary and benefits related to additional overtime used for grant related 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 areas of the General Plan:
PS 1.10 Education and Crime Prevention
PS 1.2 Sworn Personnel
It is also consistent with the following City Council FY 24/25 Goals and 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 F: 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 City Council FY 24/25 Goals and 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 F: Pursue grant funding where and when possible to supplement and/or replace direct City funding