REPORT TO THE CITY COUNCIL September 24, 2015 FROM: JERRY P. DYER, Chief of Police Police Department BY: ANDREW HALL, Police Captain Traffic Bureau SUBJECT ..Title Actions pertaining to the 2016 Selective Traffic Enforcement Program (STEP) grant 1. Authorize the Chief of Police to accept $700,000 in grant funding for the 2016 STEP grant awarded to the Fresno Police Department from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) through the California Office of Traffic Safety (OTS) 2. ***RESOLUTION - 11th amendment to the Annual Appropriation Resolution (AAR) No. 2015-104 appropriating $538,300 for the Police Department's STEP grant (Requires 5 affirmative votes) ..Body RECOMMENDATION Staff recommends that Council authorize acceptance of $700,000 in grant funding from the OTS, allowing the Chief of Police to enter into and execute the agreement and all required documents, and adopt the 11th Amendment to AAR No 2015-104 to appropriate funding into the FY 2016 budget. Funds have been awarded for the 2016 Selective Traffic Enforcement Program grant to the Fresno Police Department's Traffic Bureau. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY The City of Fresno has been awarded grant funds of $700,000 from the Office of Traffic Safety to undertake the Selective Traffic Enforcement Program (STEP). The grant period is from October 1, 2015, through September 30, 2016. The goal of the STEP program is to reduce the number of persons killed and injured in crashes involving alcohol, speed, distracted driving, and other primary collision factors. Grant funds will be used to fund overtime pay for officers to implement approved best practices strategies. Council approval is needed to authorize the agreement and appropriate $538,300 into the FY 2016 budget. The remaining funds will be budgeted and expended in FY 2017. BACKGROUND The OTS grant for the STEP program will pay for overtime to allow the department to employ innovative enforcement strategies to reduce the number of persons killed and injured in traffic collisions. To reduce the number of persons killed and injured in crashes involving alcohol, speed, distracted driving, and other primary collision factors, "best practice strategies" will include: Driving Under the Influence (DUI) checkpoints, DUI saturation patrols, surveillance to apprehend and hold accountable repeat drunk drivers and those on probation for DUI, warrant service operations targeting DUI violators who failed to appear in court or violate probation, stakeouts, a "HOT Sheet" program, and court stings. The program will also concentrate on speed, aggressive driving, intersection operations with disproportionate numbers of traffic crashes and special enforcement operations encouraging motorcycle safety. These strategies are designed to earn media attention, thus enhancing the overall deterrent effect. ENVIRONMENTAL FINDINGS This is not a "project" for the purposes of CEQA, pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15378. LOCAL PREFERENCE Local preference was not considered because accepting grant funds does not include a bid or award of a construction or service contract. FISCAL IMPACT There will be no net impact to the General Fund. The grant provides full cost recovery for all operations, training and supplies for this program. Expenses will be claimed and reimbursed on a quarterly basis. This funding will enable the Fresno Police Department to continue its efforts to educate the public and reduce the number of persons killed and injured in traffic collisions within the City of Fresno. Attachments: Annual Appropriations Resolution No. 2015-104 Grant Agreement