1 STAFF REPORT
DATE: March 11, 2025
TO: Justin Hess, City Manager
FROM: Michael Albanese, Chief of Police
BY: Viviana Garzon, Police Administrator
SUBJECT: Adoption of a Resolution Authorizing the Execution of the 202 4 Grant Agreement with the United States Department of Justice for Law Enforcement Training and Equipment, Acceptance of Grant Funds in the Amount of $1 5,284, 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 HIS DESIGNEE TO EXECUTE THE 202 4 GRANT
AGREEMENT WITH THE UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE FOR LAW
ENFORCEMENT TRAINING AND EQUIPMENT, AND ANY FUTURE AMENDMENTS, ACCEPTANCE OF $15,284 IN GRANT FUNDS, AND AMENDING THE FISCAL YEAR 2024-25 BUDGET BY APPROPRIATING FUNDS.
BACKGROUND
The U.S. Department of Justice, Office of Justice Programs, Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA) provides grants, training, technical assistance, and other resources to enhance the nation’s ability to prevent and reduce crime, support victims, and improve processes within the criminal justice system. The BJA Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) program serves as the primary source of federal criminal justice funding for state and local jurisdictions. JAG funds support various components of the criminal justice system, including multi-jurisdictional drug and gang task forces , crime prevention and domestic violence programs, courts , corrections, treatment, and justice information - sharing initiatives. JAG-funded projects focus on improving the effectiveness and efficiency of criminal justice systems, processes, and procedures.
POLICE
DEPARTMENT
2 DISCUSSION
Each year, the BJA identifies priority areas for grant recipients and encourages local governments to allocate funding to address these issues. In 2024, a key focus wa s election security, emphasizing deterrence, detection, and protection against threats of violence. The BJA recommends that local governments use JAG funds to enhance election security through specialized equipment and training. The Police Department (Department) has been awarded $15,284 in grant funding to support this initiative. This grant is retroactive, allowing the Department to reimburse expenses incurred for approved equipment and training. The funding will be used to purchase gas masks and gas mask pouches, and provide tactical training to ensure officers tasked with securing polling locations are prepared for potential threats.
Equipment
Gas masks and pouches will allow officers to respond to incidents involving hazardous chemicals, airborne toxins, or crowd control situations, to include situations that may arise at polling locations or election-related events. This personal protective equipment will help maintain operational readiness in environments where chemical irritants or airborne threats are present, ensuring the safety of both law enforcement personnel and the public.
Tactical Training
Additionally, the grant will fund specialized training for designated observers within the Department who are specially trained to maintain situational awareness, provide real-time intelligence, and ensure the Department’s response is effective. This advanced tactical training will enhance the Department's ability to respond to high-risk situations, including potential threats to election infrastructure or personnel. The training will focus on precision, decision-making under pressure, and coordination with broader security efforts, ensuring officers have the necessary skills to address threats while minimizing risks to public safety.
These investments will enhance the Department’s ability to secure elections, protect polling locations, and respond effectively to potential threats. By equipping officers with the right tools and training, the Department will be well -positioned to manage election - related incidents, deter violence, and ensure a safe environment for voters, election officials, and the broader community.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
Approval to accept this grant has no potential for resulting 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.
3 FISCAL IMPACT
This is a reimbursement grant with no requirement for matching funds. Staff is requesting Council authority to accept $15,284 in United States Department of Justice 2024 JAG funding and amend the Fiscal Year (FY) 2024- 25 Budget to appropriate the funds as follows:
• $15,284 from revenue account number 121.PD000.48010.1037.25114 (General City Grants, Police Department General, Other Intergovernmental Revenues, DOJ Block Grant, JAG 2024) to the following expenditure accounts:
• $4,750 to expenditure account 121.PD91B.62755.0000.25114 (General City Grants, Police Department Grants – DOJ, Training, JAG 2024) • $10,534 to expenditure account 121.PD91B.62300.0000.25114 (General City Grants, Police Department Grants – DOJ, Special Departmental Supplies, JAG 2024).
Funds will initially be drawn from account 121.ND000.30011.0000.00000 (General City Grant Fund, Non-Departmental, Assigned Fund Balance) until reimbursed.
CONCLUSION
The acceptance of the JAG grant will enhance the Department’s ability to safeguard election sites and respond effectively to potential threats. This investment provides substantial value to the Burbank community by strengthening public safety measures, improving emergency preparedness, and fostering a greater sense of security for residents. Approval of this resolution will allow the Department to allocate resources strategically, reinforcing public safety goals and supporting the City's commitment to ensuring a peaceful and secure voting process for the Burbank community.
ATTACHMENTS
Attachment 1: Resolution
Attachment 2: 2024 Justice Assistance Grant Agreement