REPORT TO THE CITY COUNCIL FROM: MINDY CASTO, Interim Chief of Police Police Department BY: MARK SALAZAR, Deputy Police Chief Investigations Division SUBJECT ..Title Actions pertaining to the 2025 Law Enforcement Specialized Unit Program: 1. ***RESOLUTION - Adopt a Resolution authorizing acceptance of $203,142 in grant funding from the California Governor's Office of Emergency Services' Law Enforcement Specialized Unit Program for the Fresno Police Department's Domestic Violence Unit 2025 Law Enforcement Specialized Unit Program (Subject to Mayor's veto) 2. ***RESOLUTION - Adopt the 36th Amendment to the Annual Appropriation Resolution No. 2024-122 to appropriate $101,600 in Law Enforcement Specialized Unit Program Grant funding for the Police Department's Domestic Violence Unit (Requires 5 Affirmative Votes) (Subject to Mayor's Veto) 3. Approve a Memorandum of Understanding with Marjaree Mason Center, Inc. for the total grant amount not to exceed $138,662 4. Authorize the Chief of Police to sign the Memorandum of Understanding with Marjaree Mason Center Inc., on behalf of the City ..Body RECOMMENDATION Staff recommends that Council adopt a resolution for the acceptance of $203,142 in grant funding from the California Governor's Office of Emergency Services (CalOES) Law Enforcement Specialized Unit (LE) Program for the Fresno Police Department's Domestic Violence (DV) Unit within the Family Justice Bureau (Domestic Violence grant); approve a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Marjaree Mason Center (MMC) as identified in the LE Program grant agreement; and authorize the Chief of Police to enter into and execute the agreements, amendments, extensions and modifications and all required documents. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY The City of Fresno has been awarded grant funds of $203,142 from CalOES to augment the current capabilities of the DV Unit. This award is subject to a special condition that the funds cannot be expended until CalOES has access to funds through the applicable FY 2024 Federal Award. The grant period is from January 1, 2025, to December 31, 2025. The goal of the LE Program grant is to work in partnership with Marjaree Mason Center (MMC) for the purpose of providing maximum available assistance for victims of domestic violence and their children within the City of Fresno. The program will continue to allow for funding for the two victim advocates co-locating in the Domestic Violence Unit. This will meet the need for immediate response to victims and their families and provide resources to them as soon as law enforcement is notified of the incident. The grant funds will be used to fund the current victim advocates assigned to the unit and enhance the DV Unit by addressing violence against victims through investigation, immediate response, immediate victim advocacy, and training for law enforcement officers. BACKGROUND In 2023 and 2024, the Domestic Violence Unit handled 10,616 and 9,369 cases, respectively. We believe we will serve over 10,000 in 2025. The Domestic Violence grant will allow us to expand our current capacity in response to victims and their children. With this funding, we will continue to provide two domestic violence victim advocates. With two advocates the City will allow advocate coverage for evening hours and weekends. The advocates will be assigned to the field and respond with patrol officers to calls for service related to domestic violence. By creating this quick response, victims will feel as though they have instantaneous help and reassurance that law enforcement cares and is doing everything possible to support them. Additionally, victims of domestic violence and their children will have immediate resources available through the MMC, such as emergency housing, provided crisis intervention, advocacy, support groups, counseling, legal advocacy, 24-hour crisis hotline, survival skills, legal options classes, and referrals. This grant program will allow us to continue expanding our capabilities as an agency to reach out to all victims and ensure that services are offered and encouraged for all victims. The MOU with the MMC has been reviewed and approved by the City Attorney's Office. ENVIRONMENTAL FINDINGS By definition of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines Section 15378, this action of these items does not qualify as a project as defined by the CEQA. LOCAL PREFERENCE Local preference was not implemented; however, MMC is a local business. FISCAL IMPACT There will be no net impact on the general fund. The remaining grant funds received will be appropriated in FY 26. The grant provides full cost recovery for all operations, training and supplies for this program. Advocates hired by the Marjaree Mason Center are contracted for the one-year performance period of the grant. At the conclusion, they will return to MMC to work on other projects. Expenses will be claimed and reimbursed on a quarterly basis. This funding will enable the Fresno Police Department to enhance its current capabilities and response to victims of domestic violence within the City of Fresno. Attachments: Grant Agreement Resolution 36th Annual Appropriation Resolution No. 2024-122 Memorandum of Understanding - Marjaree Mason Center