Camarillo City Council
AGENDA REPORT
Date: December 11, 2024
To: Honorable Mayor and City Councilmembers
From: Greg Ramirez, City Manager
Submitted by: David Sanchez, Community Development Director Subject: Tobacco Grant Program Award
BACKGROUND
In 2016, California voters approved the California Healthcare, Research and Prevention Tobacco Tax Act (Proposition 56), which funds initiatives to promote a healthier California by reducing illegal sales and marketing of tobacco products, particularly to minors. As part of this effort, the State of California Department of Justice, under the Office of the Attorney General, administers the Tobacco Grant Program, which provides annual funding to local public agencies to enforce tobacco laws and ordinances. Since its inception in 2017, the program has distributed approximately $212 million statewide through a competitive grant process.
The Camarillo Police Department applied for this grant in June of 2024 for the requested amount of $92,136 to be spent over a four-year budget. In October of 2024, the Camarillo Police Department was awarded $70,662 in Tobacco Grant Program funds for a three- year period to support enforcement and education activities aimed at reducing illegal tobacco sales to youth. The Camarillo Police Department sent a letter of intent to accept the Tobacco Grant Program award for the 2024-25 grant cycle on October 23, 2024, affirming that they will seek a resolution from the governing body to accept the award.
DISCUSSION
The City of Camarillo was awarded a $70,662 grant from the Office of the Attorney General to enhance enforcement and education efforts aimed at reducing illegal tobacco sales to minors. This funding will support overtime operations, enabling the Camarillo Police Department and the City Code Compliance division to conduct additional enforcement activities without diverting resources from primary duties.
Currently, the police department conducts one annual operation targeting tobacco retailers; however, this grant will expand those efforts by funding more frequent
Tobacco Grant Program Award
December 11, 2024
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2 0
inspections, minor decoy operations, and shoulder tap operations. A minor decoy operation involves an underage decoy attempting to purchase tobacco under law enforcement supervision to ensure retailers comply with age laws, while a shoulder tap operation targets adults outside stores, where minors ask them to illegally purchase such products on their behalf. These additional activities will strengthen the enforcement of laws prohibiting tobacco products and sales to underage individuals.
The goals and objectives of the program include annual inspections of all 52 tobacco retailers within the City of Camarillo. Prior to enforcement actions, retailers will receive materials outlining laws such as the flavored tobacco ban and the STAKE Act, developed collaboratively with City staff, Ventura County Public Health, and law enforcement.
Ongoing education will ensure businesses remain informed about compliance standards and best practices. Material issued to retailers will be created in collaboration with the Ventura County Public Health Department.
Enforcement actions include random follow-up inspections where violations, such as sales to minors or flavored tobacco, will result in citations. Criminal violations will be referred to the Ventura County District Attorney’s Office, while non-criminal offenses will be managed administratively. Additionally, the program will conduct two minor decoy operations and one shoulder tap operation annually. During these operations, violations will result in citations and further education for both employees and business owners.
The Office of the Attorney General reduced the initial application amount of $92,136 to the awarded $70,662 due to the competitive nature of the grant and the number of overall applications received statewide. The program prioritizes education and compliance support, with enforcement actions focused on repeat or egregious offenders.
Award Amount
Category of
Expenditure
Budget
FY 2024-2025
Budget
FY 2025-2026
Budget
FY 2026-2027
Budget
FY 2027-2028
Personal Services $22,554 $22,554 $22,554 $
Operating Expenses
and Equipment
$1,500 $1,500 $0 $
Administrative Costs
(Not to Exceed 5%)
$0 $0 $0 $
TOTAL AWARD AMOUNT $70,662
To measure the program’s effectiveness, the City will track key metrics, including the number of inspections, citations issued, educational sessions conducted, and reductions in observed violations over time. As part of the grant requirements, staff will prepare quarterly progress reports and submit them the Office of the Attorney General.
Tobacco Grant Program Award
December 11, 2024
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FISCAL IMPACT
There is no budget impact as a result of this action.
CEQA DETERMINATIONS
Not applicable.
RECOMMENDATION
1. Approve the resolution accepting the $70,662 award from the Office of the Attorney General Tobacco Grant Program.
2. Authorize the City Manager to execute the grant agreement and any related documents or reports necessary to implement the program.
ATTACHMENTS
1. Resolution
2. MOU
3. Tobacco Grant Summary of Award
REFERENCE MATERIALS – AVAILABLE FOR REVIEW AT CITY HALL None