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RESOLUTION NO. 2018-006 OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF CHULA VISTA ACCEPTING $609,429 FROM THE CALIFORNIA GOVERNOR’S OFFICE OF EMERGENCY SERVICES, WAIVING THE CONSULTANT SELECTION PROCESS, APPROVING A CONSULTANT SERVICES AGREEMENT WITH SOUTH BAY COMMUNITY SERVICES TO PROVIDE DOMESTIC VIOLENCE RESPONSE AND ADVOCACY SERVICES, APPROPRIATING $101,572 TO THE POLICE GRANTS SECTION OF THE FEDERAL GRANTS FUND FOR THE DOMESTIC VIOLENCE RESPONSE TEAM, AND DIRECTING STAFF TO INCLUDE THE BALANCE IN SUBSEQUENT BUDGETS TO THE POLICE GRANTS FUND FOR THIS TEAM (4/5 VOTE REQUIRED)
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RECOMMENDED ACTION
Recommended Action
Council adopt the resolution.
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SUMMARY
The Police Department and South Bay Community Services have been working in partnership for the past 20 years providing domestic violence services to the community. Adoption of this resolution will accept grant funding from the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services for Domestic Violence Response Team services and approve a contractual agreement with South Bay Community Services to provide services for domestic violence cases.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
Environmental Notice
Environmental Notice
The activity is not a “Project” as defined under Section 15378 of the California Environmental Quality Act State Guidelines; therefore, pursuant to State Guidelines Section 15060(c)(3) no environmental review is required.
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Environmental Determination
The Director of Development Services has reviewed the proposed activity for compliance with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and has 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 required.
BOARD/COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION
Not Applicable
DISCUSSION
Since 1985, the Chula Vista Police Department (CVPD) and South Bay Community Services (SBCS) have partnered to address issues with juveniles. And since 1997, CVPD has been working in a partnership with SBCS to provide direct services to domestic violence victims and protect them from abuse. The partnership between CVPD and SBCS resulted in the formation of a 24-hour/7-day per week Domestic Violence Response Team (DVRT). The Police Department was recently notified of grant funding through the Law Enforcement Specialized Units Program of the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES). The Department has been awarded $203,143 annually for the 3-year funding cycle of January 1, 2018 to December 31, 2020 for the DVRT program.
Because of the established working relationship with SBCS, CVPD is seeking to waive the consultant selection process and approve the contractual agreement with SBCS to provide services for domestic violence cases. SBCS has tailored their programs to meet the needs of the City and their experience, qualifications and community presence make them a unique service provider.
The Domestic Violence Response Team consists of detectives from the Family Protection Unit of the Police Department and Advocates from South Bay Community Services. The Advocates work closely with the Detectives, provide more intensified follow-up services after the violent incident, and help prevent the need for further intervention by law enforcement. SBCS’ Advocates are mandated to provide 24-hour immediate mobile crisis intervention in response to 911 calls to the CVPD on all family violence cases involving children. SBCS emergency staff meets CVPD officers at the scene of domestic violence crimes to assess for child abuse as well as offer services to victims. Additionally, CVPD has dedicated personnel from the Family Protection Unit to arrive in such cases. This dedicated staffing will allow both CVPD and the SBCS Advocate to have increased access to victims after the incident. The following business day, the Advocate will follow-up with victims (alone or with a CVPD Detective), set up home visits with those not sheltered and provide case management and additional services to those placed in shelter. These visits will be coordinated with a Detective, depending on the severity of the abuse and whether the perpetrator is still at large. Other SBCS Advocate services include safety planning, support groups and counseling, Temporary Restraining Order information and assistance, and transportation to a domestic violence shelter.
Fiscal Year 2016/2017 DVRT Accomplishments
Ø Responded to 625 crisis calls, of which 335 victims were directly affected by domestic violence
Ø Made contact and offer advocacy to 100% of victims with cases assigned to the unit
Ø Provided advocacy, including crisis intervention, resource and referral assistance, emergency assistance, and/or restraining order assistance to 372 victims
Ø Provided regular roll call training sessions to officers, highlighting the DVRT process as well as other agency-wide services available to the community
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 Title 2, section 18702.2(a)(11), is not applicable to this decision for purposes of determining a disqualifying real property-related financial conflict of interest under the Political Reform Act (Cal. Gov't Code § 87100, et seq.).
Staff is not independently aware, and has not been informed by any City Council member, 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 from Cal OES supports the goal of Strong and Secure Neighborhoods by providing domestic violence law enforcement and advocacy services to the community.
CURRENT YEAR FISCAL IMPACT
The grant funding from the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services in the amount of $609,429 will completely offset the DVRT Program costs during the 3-year grant period of January 1, 2018 to December 31, 2020. The grant will fund subcontracted costs from South Bay Community Services, and the City will receive 3% of the subcontracted costs to administer the grant. A detective assigned to the Family Protection Unit will fulfill the 25% match requirement of the grant. Adoption of this resolution will result in an appropriation of $98,186 to supplies & services and $3,386 to the other expenses category to the police grants section of the Federal Grants Fund to cover the current fiscal period of January 1 to June 30, 2018.
ONGOING FISCAL IMPACT
Because the grant period covers three years, the adoption of this resolution will also direct staff to include $507,857 in subsequent fiscal year budgets for the period of July 1, 2018 to December 31, 2020. Continuing services for the DVRT Program beyond December 31, 2020 is contingent upon additional grant funding from Cal OES to support the program.
ATTACHMENTS
Agreement with South Bay Community Services for Domestic Violence Response and Advocacy Services
Staff Contact: Maritza Vargas, Police Department