Title
RESOLUTION NO. 2014-155 OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF CHULA VISTA APPROPRIATING $155,451 TO THE POLICE GRANT FUND FOR THE PUBLIC SAFETY REALIGNMENT (4/5 VOTE REQUIRED)
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RECOMMENDED ACTION
Recommended Action
Council adopt the resolution.
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SUMMARY
In 2011, Governor Edmund G. Brown Jr. signed Assembly Bill (AB) 109 and AB 117, historic legislation to enable California to close the revolving door of low-level inmates cycling in and out of state prisons. This legislation implemented the Public Safety Realignment, which provides funding to counties to develop and implement evidence-based practices and alternatives to incarceration to limit future crimes and reduce victimization.
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, historic legislation to enable California to close the revolving door of low-level inmates cycling in and out of state prisons. It is the cornerstone of California's solution to the U.S. Supreme Court order to reduce the number of inmates in the state's 33 prisons to 137.5 percent of original design capacity. All provisions of AB 109 and AB 117 were prospective and implementation of the 2011 Realignment Legislation began October 1, 2011. No inmates currently in state prison were or are transferred to county jails or released early.
Under the 2011 Public Safety Realignment, 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 of about 28,000 (-17%).
The 2011 Realignment is funded with a dedicated portion of state sales tax revenue and Vehicle License Fees (VLF) outlined in trailer bills AB 118 and SB 89. The latter provides revenue to counties for local public safety programs and the former establishes the Local Revenue Fund 2011 for counties to receive the revenues and appropriate funding for 2011 Public Safety Realignment. The intent of Realignment is to encourage counties to develop and implement evidence-based practices and alternatives to incarceration to limit future crimes and reduce victimization.
The City of San Diego has been designated as the fiscal agent of Public Safety Realignment funds for the San Diego County region. A Memorandum of Agreement between the City of San Diego and participating cities in the county has been created to outline the disbursement of Realignment funds. The county allocation will be disbursed to each city based on its percentage of population as determined by the California Department of Finance. These funds are restricted to monitoring those individuals who have been released from custody under the AB109 Public Safety Realignment legislation.
The City of Chula Vista has been allocated $155,451 this fiscal year. The Police Department will allocate $140,000 to purchase vehicles for the Investigations Division, $10,000 for vehicle radios and $5,451 to purchase uniforms for investigators.
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 the Public Safety Realignment Program support the goal of Strong and Secure Neighborhoods by providing equipment and resources to sworn personnel to monitor newly-convicted low-level offenders.
CURRENT YEAR FISCAL IMPACT
Approval of this resolution will result in the appropriation of $15,451 to supplies and services and $140,000 to the capital category of the Police Grant Fund. Funding through the city's allocated Public Safety Realignment will completely offset these costs, resulting in no net fiscal impact.
ONGOING FISCAL IMPACT
AB 109 provides a dedicated and permanent revenue stream to the counties through Vehicle License Fees and a portion of the State sales tax. Realignment allocations in subsequent years will be included in the proposed budget and will be considered as part of the normal budget process.
ATTACHMENTS
None.
Staff Contact: Captain Lon Turner