1 STAFF REPORT
DATE: August 27, 2024
TO: Justin Hess, City Manager
FROM: Michael Albanese, Chief of Police
VIA: Viviana Garzon, Police Administrator
BY: John Pfrommer, Lieutenant
SUBJECT: Adoption of a Resolution Authorizing Acceptance of the California Office of Traffic Safety 202 5 Selective Traffic Enforcement Program Grant for $208,000 and Amending the Fiscal Year 2024-25 Budget by Appropriating Funds
RECOMMENDATION
Adopt A RESOLUTION OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BURBANK AUTHORIZING
THE CITY MANAGER OR DESIGNEE TO EXECUTE THE CALIFORNIA OFFICE OF TRAFFIC SAFETY 2025 SELECTIVE TRAFFIC ENFORCEMENT PROGRAM GRANT AGREEMENT AND ANY FUTURE AMENDMENTS, ACCEPTING $208,000 IN GRANT FUNDS, AND AMENDING THE FISCAL YEAR 2024-25 BUDGET BY APPROPRIATING FUNDS.
BACKGROUND
The Burbank Police Department (Department) has been awarded $208,000 in competitive grant funding through the California Office of Traffic Safety (OTS) for the Selective Traffic Enforcement Program (STEP). The program aims to reduce the number of deaths and injuries from vehicular accidents related to alcohol, speeding, red light violations, and other primary collision factors. The grant will fund enforcement operations that target impaired driving, distracted driving, excessive speed, and seat belt compliance. By increasing police presence, these operations will help educate the public and improve adherence to traffic safety laws. In addition to enforcement, the STEP grant supports educational efforts, including t raffic safety presentations and community outreach focused on motorcycle safety, bicycle safety, and pedestrian awareness . The Department will also produce digital content to participate in OTS campaigns like “Click It POLICE
DEPARTMENT
2 or Ticket,” “Sober or Hand ’Em Over,” and “Go Safely, California.” Through social media, the Department will engage with online communities to educate a broader audience and ultimately deter unsafe driving behaviors.
DISCUSSION
The Department is committed to reducing injuries at high- collision intersections by enhancing enforcement efforts against driving under the influence (DUI) through checkpoints and saturation patrols. Additional enforcement initiatives will focus on reducing distracted driving, improving seat belt compliance, and reducing bicycle and pedestrian collisions.
With a total grant allocation of $208,000, the Department’s initiatives are divided as follows:
• $180,325 will be allocated towards traffic safety education activities and increased enforcement through special details aimed at curbing distracted driving, excessive speed, and other primary collision factors.
• $24,025 will be utilized for the purchase of electronic citation printers for traffic officers, LiDAR (light detection and ranging) devices to measure vehicle speeds , and essential supplies for conducting DUI checkpoint operations. These supplies may include traffic cones, signage, high- visibility safety vests, lighting, reflective banners, and electronic flares.
• $3,650 will be allocated to provide officers with specialized training in traffic enforcement, safety, and education.
The City’s cost in accepting the grant will be the future replacement of equipment and supplies. The grant performance period runs from October 1, 2024, through September 30, 2025.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
Approval of the 2025 STEP grant agreement has no potential to result in either a direct physical change in the environment, or a reasonably foreseeable indirect physical change in the environment, and as such, is not a “project” subject to the requirements of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) 14 Cal. Code Regs § 15378.
FISCAL IMPACT
This is a reimbursement grant and will not require any matching funds from the City. Staff is requesting Council authority to accept $208,000 in 2025 STEP grant program funds and amend the FY 2024-2025 budget to appropriate the funds as follows:
3 • $208,000 from revenue account 121.PD000.48010.1022.25061.0000 (General City Grand Fund, Police Department General, Other Intergovernmental Revenues, OTS Safety Grant, 2025 STEP Grant) to the following expenditure accounts:
• $180,325 to expenditure account 001.PD01A.60007.0000.25061 (General Fund, Patrol, Overtime – Safety, 2025 STEP Grant)
• $24,025 to expenditure account 001.PD01A.62300.0000.25061 (General Fund, Patrol, Special Departmental Supplies, 2025 STEP Grant) • $3,650 to expenditure account 001.PD01A.62755.0000.25061 (General Fund, Patrol, Training, 2025 STEP Grant)
Funds will initially be drawn from account 121.ND000.30011.0000.00000 (General City Grant Fund, Non-Departmental, Assigned Fund Balance) until reimbursed.
CONCLUSION
Approval and acceptance of this grant agreement supports the Department’s FY 2024-25 goal of improving traffic safety within the City . The funding enables the Department to enhance enforcement efforts, expand public education, and invest in necessary equipment, all aimed at reducing traffic collisions and pedestrian injuries. These initiatives will contribute to creating a safer Burbank for all residents and visitors.
ATTACHMENT
Attachment 1 – Resolution
Attachment 2 – California Office of Traffic Safety 2025 Selective Traffic Enforcement Program Grant Agreement