Title
RESOLUTION NO. 2014-032 OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF CHULA VISTA ACCEPTING $75,507 FROM THE COUNTY OF SAN DIEGO AND APPROPRIATING SAID FUNDS TO THE FISCAL YEAR 2013/2014 POLICE GRANT FUND FOR REGIONAL REALIGNMENT RESPONSE PROGRAMS (4/5 VOTE REQUIRED)
Recommended Action
RECOMMENDED ACTION: Council adopt the resolution.
Body
SUMMARY
In 2011, Governor Edmund G. Brown Jr. signed Assembly Bill (AB) 109 and AB 117, which significantly reduces state jail populations through early release programs and transfer to County jail facilities. This legislation provides funding to counties to develop and implement a targeted, proactive, intelligence-based approach to control and counteract the risks associated with realigned offenders released in San Diego County. The City of Chula Vista has been awarded $75,507 to conduct various operations in relation to this legislation.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
This proposed activity has been reviewed for compliance with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and it has been determined that the activity is not a “Project” as defined under Section 15378 of the State CEQA Guidelines because it will not result in a physical change in the environment; therefore, pursuant to Section 15060(c)(3) of the State CEQA Guidelines, the activity is not subject to CEQA. Thus, no environmental review is necessary.
BOARD/COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION
Not Applicable.
DISCUSSION
In 2011, Governor Edmund G. Brown Jr. signed Assembly Bill (AB) 109 and AB 117, which significantly reduces state jail populations through early release programs and transfer to County jail facilities. This was done in response to the U.S. Supreme Court’s order to reduce the number of inmates in the state’s 33 prisons to original design capacity (currently at 137.5% of capacity).
Under the Assembly Bill (AB) 109 and AB 117 newly-convicted low-level offenders without current or prior serious or violent offenses stay in county jail to serve their sentence. This has reduced the annual state prison admissions to less than 35,000 a year. Prior to Realignment, there were approximately 55,000 to 65,000 new admissions from county courts to state prison. Overall, the diversion of low-level offenders and parole violators to county jail instead of state prison has resulted in a population decrease in State prison of about 28,000 (-17%).
The intent of Regional Realignment Response is to encourage counties to develop and implement evidence-based practices and alternatives to incarceration to limit future crimes and reduce victimization.
The San Diego Sheriff Department has been designated as the fiscal agent of Regional Realignment Response funds for the San Diego County region. A Memorandum of Agreement between the County of San Diego and participating cities in the county has been created to outline the disbursement of Realignment funds.
The City of Chula Vista has been allocated $75,507 this fiscal year. The Police Department will allocate $75,507 to fund overtime operations to conduct compliance checks on San Diego County Probationers.
DECISION-MAKER CONFLICT
Staff has reviewed the decision contemplated by this action and has determined that it is not site specific and consequently the 500-foot rule found in California Code of Regulations section 18704.2(a)(1) is not applicable to this decision. Staff is not independently aware, nor has staff been informed by any City Councilmember, of any other fact that may constitute a basis for a decision maker conflict of interest in this matter.
LINK TO STRATEGIC GOALS
The City’s Strategic Plan has five major goals: Operational Excellence, Economic Vitality, Healthy Community, Strong and Secure Neighborhoods and a Connected Community. Funds received for Regional Realignment Response supports the goal of Strong and Secure Neighborhoods by providing additional law enforcement presence in the community to address the impact of convicted felons who have been released early into the community.
CURRENT YEAR FISCAL IMPACT
Approval of this resolution will result in a one-time appropriation of $75,506 to personnel services of the Police Grant Fund to fund overtime operations. The funding from the County of San Diego will completely offset these costs, resulting in no net fiscal impact to the Police Grants Fund.
ONGOING FISCAL IMPACT
There is no ongoing fiscal impact.