REPORT TO THE CITY COUNCIL FROM: PACO BALDERRAMA, Chief of Police Police Department BY: MARK SALAZAR, Deputy Police Chief Investigations Division SUBJECT ..Title Actions pertaining to the 2023 Law Enforcement Specialized Unit Program: 1. Authorize acceptance of $203,143 in grant funding from the California Governor's Office of Emergency Services' Law Enforcement Specialized Unit Program to the Fresno Police Department 2. ***RESOLUTION - Adopt the 23rd Amendment to the Annual Appropriation Resolution (AAR) No. 2022-154 appropriating $203,100 for the Police Department's Law Enforcement Specialized Unit Program Grant in the department's Domestic Violence Unit (requires five affirmative votes) (Subject to Mayor's veto) 3. Approve a Memorandum of Understanding with the Marjaree Mason Center ..Body RECOMMENDATION Staff recommends that Council approve acceptance of $203,143 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 $203,143 from CalOES to augment the current capabilities of the DV Unit. The grant period is from January 1, 2023, to December 31, 2023. The goal of the LE Program grant is to work in partnership with the 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 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 This is not a "project" for the purposes of CEQA, pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15378. LOCAL PREFERENCE Local preference was not implemented; however, MMC is a local business. 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. 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. Attachment: Grant Agreement 23rd Annual Appropriation Resolution No. 2022-154 Memorandum of Understanding - Marjaree Mason Center