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HomeMy WebLinkAboutStaff Report 12158 City of Palo Alto (ID # 12158) City Council Staff Report Report Type: Consent Calendar Meeting Date: 5/10/2021 City of Palo Alto Page 1 Summary Title: Acceptance and Appropriation of State COPS Funds Title: Approval of the Acceptance and Appropriation of State of California Citizens Options for Public Safety (COPS) Funds and Approval of a Budget Amendment (Requires 2/3 Approval) in the Sup plemental Law Enforcement Services Fund From: City Manager Lead Department: Police Recommendation Staff recommends that the City Council: 1. Approve the acceptance and expenditure of Citizens Options for Public Safety (COPS) funds from the State of California; and 2. Amend the Fiscal Year 2021 Budget Appropriation Ordinance (requires 2/3 approval) for the Supplemental Law Enforcement Services Fund (SLESF) by: a. Increasing the estimate for Revenue from the State of California by $105,160; and, b. Increasing the Police Department Facilities and Equipment expense appropriation by $105,160. Background Since 1997, the California State Budget Act has included allocations to counties and cities for the COPS program. This funding is intended to fill the need for additio nal resources at the local level to ensure public safety. Under the provisions of Government Code Section 30061, a percentage of the funds are allocated to counties and cities, based upon population, for law enforcement services. Funds must supplement existing services and are prohibited from supplanting (replacing) state, local, or funds that otherwise would be made available, for the purposes of this grant, as applicable. Each city is also required to deposit the funds into a separate fund so that these funds are not intermingled with General Fund dollars. The funds must be used to benefit front-line law enforcement efforts. Previous uses of COPS funds have included re-starting the Community Service Officer (CSO) program, purchasing an E-Citation system, rifle magnifiers and range safety equipment and upgrades to the patrol vehicle and traffic motorcycle programs, upgraded tools and technology. City of Palo Alto Page 2 Discussion Staff proposes to use the COPS funds in the following manner: Police Officer Training ($65,000) Training police officers is divided between mandatory and non-mandatory training. Mandatory training is established by the state board and currently is approximately 12 hours a year , per officer, in subjects like firearms, arrest control and driving. Mandatory training is funded through the general fund. Non-mandatory training funding is for categories such as critical incident training (CIT), de-escalation tactics, interpersonal skills and implicit bias. This funding will support training in these areas. Officer Wellness ($20,000) Police Officers experience stress in a number of ways due to the extreme emotional and physical demands of the profession, irregular shift work, and regular exposure to vicarious trauma. As a result, officers' relationships with their friends, families, agencies and the public they serve can be adversely affected. Funding of this category will enable the department to add resources, including testing and therapies, during a difficult period in law enforcement. Communication Equipment ($20,000) The purchase of the front-line communication technology to improve organizational communication. Resource Impact The Police Department has received funds each year under this program since its inception in 1998. Annual allocations have averaged approximately $100,000 over the last few years. The City received the official notice from the California Department of Finance in September 2020 that the City's COPS allocation for Fiscal Year 2021 is $105,160. Revenues of $105,160 are recommended to be recognized in the City's Supplemental Law Enforcement Services Fund. A total of $105,160 of expenditures are anticipated as described previously in the memorandum, which will be funded by the COPS grant funding appropriated in FY 2021 ($105,160). There will be no impact to the General Fund as ongoing maintenance costs for the items purchased by the SLESF will be absorbed in the Department 's existing non-salary budget. Policy Implications Expenditures of funds associated with COPS funds are consistent with City Policy. Environmental Assessment Acceptance of COPS funding and the proposed expenditures for public safety equipment are not projects subject to CEQA requirements.