Title
RESOLUTION NO. 2015-072 OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF CHULA VISTA ACCEPTING $566,925 FROM THE CALIFORNIA GOVERNOR'S OFFICE OF EMERGENCY SERVICES, WAIVING THE CONSULTANT SELECTION PROCESS, APPROVING THE CONTRACTUAL AGREEMENT WITH SOUTH BAY COMMUNITY SERVICES AND APPROPRIATING $94,488 TO THE POLICE GRANT FUND FOR THE DOMESTIC VIOLENCE RESPONSE TEAM (4/5 VOTE REQUIRED)
Body
RECOMMENDED ACTION
Recommended Action
Council adopt the resolution.
Body
SUMMARY
The Police Department and South Bay Community Services have been working in partnership for the past 18 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
The Development Services Director 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(b)(4) of the State CEQA Guidelines because the proposed action consists only of accepting a grant and approving a contract for the Domestic Violence Response Team, which would not result in a physical change to the environment. Therefore, pursuant to Section 15060(c)(3) of the State CEQA Guidelines, the activity is not subject to CEQA.
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 $188,975 annually for the 3-year funding cycle of January 1, 2015 to December 31, 2017 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. Immediate response is construed to mean 20 minutes and current average response time is 19-22 minutes. 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 if 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.
Calendar Year 2014 DVRT Accomplishments
Ø Investigated 475 cases of suspected domestic violence
Ø Made contact and offered 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 475 victims
Ø Provided 6 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 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 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 $566,925 will completely offset the DVRT Program costs during the 3-year grant period of January 1, 2015 to December 31, 2017. The grant will fund subcontracted costs from South Bay Community Services, and the City will receive 5% 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 $89,988 to supplies & services and $4,500 to the other expenses category of the Police Grant Fund to cover the current fiscal period of January 1 to June 30, 2015.
ONGOING FISCAL IMPACT
Appropriations for the remaining grant amount of $472,437 will be considered by the City Council as part of the normal budget process for fiscal years 2016 to 2018. Continuing services for the DVRT Program beyond December 31, 2017 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: Jonathan Alegre