1 STAFF REPORT
DATE: October 1, 2024
TO: Justin Hess, City Manager
FROM: Michael Albanese, Chief of Police
BY: Viviana Garzon, Police Administrator
SUBJECT: Adoption of a Resolution Authorizing Acceptance of Funds from the State Citizen’s Option for Public Safety Program in the Amount of $307,394.25 and Amending the Fiscal Year 2023-24 Budget by Appropriating Funds
RECOMMENDATION
Adopt A RESOLUTION OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BURBANK AUTHORIZING
THE CITY MANAGER OR HIS DESIGNEE TO ACCEPT FUNDS FROM THE STATE CITIZEN’S OPTION FOR PUBLIC SAFETY (COPS) PROGRAM, ACCEPTING $307,394.25 IN FUNDS, AND AMENDING THE FISCAL YEAR 20 23-24 BUDGET BY APPROPRIATING FUNDS (Attachment 1).
BACKGROUND
In 1996, the California State Legislature enacted Assembly Bill 3229 as part of the state budget package. This bill established the Citizen’s Option for Public Safety ( COPS) program, which allocates funding to local law enforcement agencies based on population, to support public safety efforts. For Fiscal Year (FY) 2023-24, the City received $307,394.25 in COPS funds. These funds are designated for frontline police services , including personnel, equipment, and crime prevention/anti-gang programs, and cannot be used to replace the City’s existing law enforcement funding. The funding continues to support positions within the Community Resource Officer (CRO) program under the Burbank Police Department’s (Department) Community Outreach and Personnel Services Bureau.
DISCUSSION
CROs play a vital role in the Department’s outreach and engagement efforts. They organize various community events, including the annual Community Academy, a program designed to give residents an opportunity to learn about the Department’s POLICE
DEPARTMENT
2 divisions, operations, and the broader criminal justice system. Over the course of nine weeks, participants are introduced to the Department’s community policing philosophy, internal policies, and the ethical and legal principles guiding police services wi thin the community.
CROs mentor and instruct in the Youth Academy, an eight -session course aimed at educating young people between the ages of 14 and 17 on how to prepare for careers in law enforcement or public service. Additionally, they participate in speaking engagements at community organizations, assist with public service announcements alongside the City’s Public Information Officer or through the D epartment’s website, and enhance the Department’s social media presence.
CROs further support community events such as National Night Out, Coffee with a Cop, Take a Scoop Out of Crime, and the Shop with a Cop holiday event. They also help manage the Department’s volunteer program, as well as the Burbank Police Explorer and Police Cadet programs.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
Approval of the COPS p rogram allocation 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
Adoption of the proposed resolution will allow the City to appropriate revenues already received. These revenues cover approximately 61 % of the costs for the Community Resource Officer positions. COPS funds are appropriated after the close of each FY to ensure all expenses and revenues are accounted for prior to finalizing the appropriation.
Staff recommends that Council approve an amendment to the FY 2023-24 Budget to accept funds from the COPS Program and appropriate $307,394.25 from revenue account 121.PD000.48010.1039.000000 (General City Grants, PD General, Other Intergovernmental Revenues, State AB3229 COPS) to expenditure account 121.PD91A.60004.0000.000000 (General City Grants, Grants - COPS, State Grant - Salaries).
CONCLUSION
These funds have been awarded to the City from the State to support law enforcement services. By supporting the CRO Program, the COPS P rogram ensures the continued growth of community -centered policing, reinforcing the relationship between the Department and the Burbank community.
ATTACHMENT
Attachment 1 – Resolution