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RESOLUTION NO. 2014-202 OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF CHULA VISTA ACCEPTING $475,376 FROM THE CALIFORNIA OFFICE OF TRAFFIC SAFETY AND APPROPRIATING $358,581 TO THE POLICE GRANT FUND FOR THE SELECTIVE TRAFFIC ENFORCEMENT PROGRAM (4/5 VOTE REQUIRED)
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RECOMMENDED ACTION
Recommended Action
Council adopt the resolution.
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SUMMARY
The California Office of Traffic Safety has awarded $475,376 to the Police Department for the Selective Traffic Enforcement Program. The goal of this program is to reduce the number of persons killed and injured in crashes involving alcohol and other primary collision factors.
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
The California Office of Traffic Safety's (OTS) mission is to obtain and effectively administer traffic safety grant funds to reduce deaths, injuries and economic losses resulting from traffic related collisions. The Police Department has been awarded various OTS grants, including the Serious Traffic Offenders Program (STOP), Comprehensive Traffic Safety Program, DUI Enforcement Program, and Selective Traffic Enforcement Program (STEP), which all enhanced the Traffic Unit by funding new positions. Additionally, OTS administers mini-grants such as the Sobriety Checkpoint Program and Click It or Ticket, which funds traffic enforcement operations on an overtime basis.
The Police Department has received funding from the California Office of Traffic Safety for the Selective Traffic Enforcement Program. Throughout the one-year grant period (10/1/2014 to 9/30/2015), traffic enforcement operations will be conducted on an overtime basis. Grant-funded operations include DUI/driver license checkpoints and DUI saturation patrols to reduce the number of persons killed and injured in alcohol-involved collisions. Warrant service operations will target DUI offenders who fail to appear in court. Distracted driving operations will focus on drivers using hand-held cell phones and texting. Other traffic enforcement operations include primary collision factor violations, motorcycle safety enforcement operations, seatbelt enforcement operations and bicycle and pedestrian enforcement operations.
Funds provided by this grant will also be utilized for training and the purchases of a portable light tower and checkpoint supplies used during the traffic operations.
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. This resolution supports the goal of Strong and Secure Neighborhoods by proactively addressing traffic safety in the city, with the goal of reducing deaths and injuries in traffic related collisions.
CURRENT YEAR FISCAL IMPACT
Approval of this resolution will result in the acceptance of $475,376 of grant funding from the California Office of Traffic Safety. Since the grant period crosses between two fiscal years, $358,581 will be appropriated to the fiscal year 2014/2015 budget of the Police Grant Fund and $116,795 will be included in the proposed fiscal year 2015/2016 budget. For the current fiscal year, $345,884 will be appropriated to the personnel category and $12,697 will be appropriated to the supplies and services category. The funding from the California Office of Traffic Safety will completely offset the costs of the Selective Traffic Enforcement Program, resulting in no net fiscal impact.
ONGOING FISCAL IMPACT
There is no ongoing fiscal impact for accepting these grant funds.
ATTACHMENTS
None.
Staff Contact: Jonathan Alegre