REPORT TO THE CITY COUNCIL FROM: PACO BALDERRAMA, Chief of Police Police Department BY: TOM ROWE, Captain Police Community Relations-SRO, Support Division SUBJECT ..Title Approve an agreement with the Fresno County Superintendent of Schools (FCSS) for the Fresno Police Department to provide a student resource officer (SRO) at the high school, Violet Heintz Educational Academy to perform regular law enforcement duties. ..Body RECOMMENDATION Staff recommends Council authorize and approve the attached agreement with the FCSS for the Fresno Police Department to provide a SRO at their high school, Violet Heintz Academy, and authorize the Chief of Police, or designee, to sign and execute all related documents on behalf of the City of Fresno. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY Council approval is being sought to authorize the City of Fresno Chief of Police, or designee, to execute a contract with FCSS allowing for the police department to obtain reimbursement for 1 officer and 1 sergeant assigned to district high school as SROs. The terms of the contract reimburse 95% of the officer's and 15% of the sergeant's wages. Assigned vehicles are reimbursed at 100%. The total amount to be reimbursed by the Superintendent of Schools would be $230,708. Upon approval of this agreement and when factoring in a recent contract with the Fresno Unified School District, this sergeant's position would be 65% funded. It is our plan to have the remaining 35% of this position covered when our current contract with the Central Unified School District re-opens in July 2024. BACKGROUND This contract follows negotiations where, both FCSS and the City of Fresno have mutually agreed upon a contract that will allow for the creation of the current SRO program within the Violet Heintz Educational Academy. Pre-pandemic, FCSS had a SRO assigned to the Violet Heintz Educational Academy. Due to school site closures during the pandemic, FCSS decided not to continue the contract. As students have returned to in-person instruction, FCOE wishes to reinstitute the SRO program at their school site. The primary functions of officer are two-fold: 1) provide for student and staff security at the school site and 2) to build trust and partnerships with the students, staff and their families. The current plan is to place one officer at the school site. The contract represents the best interests of the City of Fresno along with the students and staff of high school being served. ENVIRONMENTAL FINDINGS Pursuant to California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines Section 15378, this item is not a project for the purposes of CEQA. LOCAL PREFERENCE Local preference is not applicable because this is a contract that does not involve competitive bidding. FISCAL IMPACT There is no fiscal impact to the department as the Fresno County Superintendent of Schools will be reimbursing the department for personnel and vehicles assigned to the school site. Attachments: Agreement