REPORT TO THE CITY COUNCIL FROM: ANDREW JANZ, City Attorney BY: ERICA M. CAMARENA, Chief Assistant City Attorney SUBJECT ..Title *** RESOLUTION - Authorizing submission of an application for Tobacco Grant Program funds, and acceptance of funding in an amount to be determined by the California Department of Justice, and authorizing the City Attorney, City Manager, and/or designee to sign all necessary implementing documents (subject to veto). ..Body RECOMMENDATION Staff recommends Council authorize the City Attorney's Office and Fresno Police Department to jointly apply for funds through the State of California Attorney General's Office, Department of Justice's (DOJ) Tobacco Grant Program. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY Grant funding is available through the State of California, for local enforcement efforts to reduce illegal sale of tobacco products to minors. The City Attorney's Office and Fresno Police Department desire to jointly apply for such grant funding. BACKGROUND The Tobacco Grant Program, administered by the DOJ, makes the use of annual funds available to local law enforcement agencies throughout California, to help promote a healthier community by reducing illegal retail sales and marketing of cigarettes and tobacco products, including e-cigarettes, to minors. An estimated $28.5 million in grant funding is available this year to support this Program, making the DOJ's Tobacco Grant Program application process highly competitive. Funds will be awarded to applicants demonstrating a strong capacity to support and/or hire enforcement officers for activities specifically aimed at reducing the illegal retail sales and/or marketing of tobacco products to minors and youth. Such activities include conducting retailer inspections and enforcement operations; conduct consumer protection enforcement; provide education to retailers and officers regarding state tobacco laws; and overall enforcing state and local laws. The deadline to submit a proposal application is June 28. The Tobacco Grant Program is a reimbursement grant, wherein DOJ will reimburse selected public agencies for approved expenditures upon receipt of invoices, quarterly progress reports, and other enforcement data required. ENVIRONMENTAL FINDINGS By the definition provided in the California Environmental Quality Act Guidelines Section 15378 the award of this contract does not qualify as a "project"; therefore, it is not a project for purposes of the California Environmental Quality Act. LOCAL PREFERENCE Not Applicable. FISCAL IMPACT There will be minimal impact to the City Attorney's Office for staff time to prepare and submit the application. If Fresno is awarded grant funds, the amount of those funds will determine the level of enforcement the City will be able to commit to without impacting the General Fund. The grant does not require the City to match funds. Attachment: Resolution 90954v1 90954v1 90954v1