HomeMy WebLinkAbout01 JUSTICE ASSISTANCE GRANTAGENDA REPORT Ree a eid.• m 1 City Manager Finance Director MEETING DATE: SEPTEMBER 20, 2011 TO: WILLIAM A. HUSTON, INTERIM CITY MAN~4GER FROM: SCOTT M. JORDAN, CHIEF OF POLICE SUBJECT: 2011 JUSTICE ASSISTANCE GRANT (JAG) SUMMARY: Congress established the Byrne Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) program in the 2005 Omnibus Appropriations Package. The JAG program blends the previous Edward Byrne Formula Grant (Byrne) and the Local Law Enforcement Block Grant (LLEBG) programs into one program, which is intended to provide agencies with the flexibility to prioritize and place justice funds where they are most needed. The Police Department proposes to use the 2011 JAG funds to provide supplemental funding to the Proactive Methamphetamine Task Force (PROACT) and to purchase 6 laptop computers for use in patrol vehicles and in court. RECOMMENDATION: It is recommended that the City Council: 1. Open and close a public hearing; 2. Authorize the Police Department to apply for JAG funding through the County of Orange, and use the funds as recommended; 3. Authorize the Chief of Police to sign any grant-related paperwork on behalf of the City, including the Transfer Agreement authorizing reimbursement from the County of Orange to the City of Tustin. FISCAL IMPACT: The grant award for the City of Tustin is $10,223. After a 10% PROACT contribution and a 9% County of Orange administration fee, the City will retain $8,281. The County of Orange will serve as the applicant/fiscal agent and will reimburse the City portion upon verification that the funds have been spent in accordance with grant procedures. 2011 Justice Assistance Grant September 20, 2011 Page 2 of 2 BACKGROUND: In the late 1990's, the Proactive Methamphetamine Task Force (PROACT) was formed and is comprised of personnel from several municipal police agencies, agents from the State Bureau of Narcotics Enforcement, the Orange County Sheriff's Department, the Orange County Probation Department and the Orange County District Attorney's Office. This task force was funded by the Byrne grant funds and allowed for reimbursement of an officer's time, equipment and the clean- up of methamphetamine labs. These labs have extremely hazardous materials and require special handling not only for clean-up, but for prosecution of those responsible for operating the lab. Orange County Police Chiefs have agreed that the continued operation of the PROACT task force is a high priority that benefits all Orange County cities. The Orange County cities that receive JAG grant funding routinely designate 10% of their funding for the PROACT task force. For Tustin, this represents a commitment of $1,020 of the total JAG funds available. This is a worthwhile expenditure to insure that methamphetamine labs in Orange County continue to be investigated and cleaned up at minimal costs to each city. The Police Department supports the commitment of these funds to the PROACT task force. After application of a 9% administrative handling fee to the County of Orange, totaling $920, the Police Department recommends the balance of the funds, in the amount of $8,281, be used toward the purchase of 6 laptop computers for use in patrol vehicles and in court. These computers will be used in court to play recordings from the Mobile Audio Video System (MANS). With the evolution of technology and limited budgeting, compatibility issues may occur with playing audio/video recordings in the adjudication of cases. By having laptops that are compatible with the Mobile Audio Video System that Tustin Police Department employs, officers will have the ability to bring a laptop to court and play the recording for the court. Without the laptops, the possibility exists to not have the evidence viewed in the event the equipment provided by the court isn't compatible. Having laptops in the vehicles will also allow patrol officers the ability to type trainee performance evaluations and other reports in their vehicles without taking them out of service to the community. Currently, it is necessary for officers to respond back to the station to complete these tasks. This will allow the officer to remain in the field increasing response times and will allow for increased proactive enforcement time. They will also be utilized for completing necessary paperwork such as reports and trainee evaluations in the patrol vehicle. /~ k SCOTT M. JO AN Chief of Police CHARLIE CELANO Captain Attachment: Amendment to the 2009, 2010 and 2011 Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) MOU Amendment to the 2009, 2010 and 2011 Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) Memoranda of Understanding The 2009, 2010 and 2011 Edwazd Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) Memoranda of Understanding are each hereby amended to add the following pazagraph: "The parties to this Memorandum of Understanding agree that any unexpended funds remaining after the parties have submitted requests for reimbursement from the Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant {JAG) maybe transferred by the County of Orange for use by the Orange County Pro-Active Methamphetamine Laboratory Investigation Team (PROACT)." All other terms of each Memorandum of Understanding remain the same. Print Name and Title Orange County Signature Print Name and Title Anaheim City Signature Print Name and Title Signature Buena Park City Print Name and Title Signature Costa Mesa City JAG Memorandum of Understanding (continued) Print Name Tustin City Print Name and Title Signature Westminster City ,