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October 4, 2022
ITEM TITLE
Agreement and Appropriation: Approve a Memorandum of Understanding with Chula Vista Elementary School District for a School Resource Officer Program and Appropriate Funds for that Purpose
Report Number: 22-0270
Location: No specific geographic location
Department: Police
Environmental Notice: The activity is not a “Project” as defined under Section 15378 of the California Environmental Quality Act State Guidelines; therefore, pursuant to State Guidelines Section 15060(c)(3) no environmental review is required.
Recommended Action
Adopt a resolution approving a Memorandum of Understanding with Chula Vista Elementary School District for a School Resource Officer Program, appropriating $156,548 to the Police Department General Fund, and adding one Peace Officer to the authorized staffing level of the Police Department. (4/5 Vote Required)
SUMMARY
The Police Department has worked in partnership with school districts for many years to ensure the safety, welfare and best possible educational opportunities of students and staff on school campuses in Chula Vista.
Adoption of this resolution will approve a Memorandum of Understanding with Chula Vis ta Elementary School District in FY 2022/2023 for the School Resource Officer Program, appropriate $156,548 to the Police Department General Fund, and add one Peace Officer to the authorized staffing level of the Police Department.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
The Director of Development Services has reviewed the proposed activity for compliance with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and has determined that the activity is not a “Project” as defined under Section 15378 of the State CEQA Guidelines because it will not result in a physical change in the environment; therefore, pursuant to Section 15060(c)(3) of the State CEQA Guidelines, the activity is not subject to CEQA.
Thus, no environmental review is required.
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BOARD/COMMISSION/COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION
Not applicable.
DISCUSSION
For decades, Chula Vista Police Department (CVPD) has partnered with the Sweetwater Union High School District (SUHSD) and Chula Vista Elementary School District (CVESD) to ensure the safety, welfare and best possible educational opportunities of students and staff on school campuses in Chula Vista. Campus security is increased by the presence of police officers who proactively and positively interact with students. Police officer presence on campus improves relations bet ween the Police Department and the youth of the community.
It is the goal of the Police Department’s School Resource Officer ( SRO) program to enhance the safety, security and success of the District’s scholastic institutions by maintaining close, consistent and productive relationships with students, their families, and staff. This program was designed to help students to obtain an equal opportunity to achieve academic, social and community success in a safe environment. On-campus, School Resource Officers focus on maintaining a positive partnership with students and staff, providing early intervention services to youth and overall improved community relations through partnership, prevention, intervention, education and progressive enforcement strategies.
During FY 2021/2022, the entire SRO program consisted of one Police Sergeant, one Police Agent, ten (10) Police Officers, and one Secretary. The SRO program has long provided services to 62 public schools (11 high schools, 7 middle schools, 49 elementary schools, and 8 alternative and adult schools associated with the districts) in the City of Chula Vista and served a student population of more than 70,000 students.
Since 2010, a portion of the costs for the SRO program has been shared betwee n the City of Chula Vista, the CVESD, and the SUHSD. The CVESD originally provided funding for slightly less than the cost of one-half (0.5) Police Agent and three (3.0) Police Officers. These three and one-half sworn personnel provided services to more than 49 sites and scholastic institutions and more than 22,453 students within the CVESD.
For the FY 2022/2023 year, CVESD approved an increase in funding to support adding one (1.0) Police Officer to provide services to the district, which results in the addition of one Peace Officer to the authorized staffing of the Police Department. Accordingly, on August 10, 2022, the CVESD School Board approved the amended Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for the SRO program during the 2022/2023 school year that included costs for four and one -half sworn personnel. The cost to CVESD totaled $715,326 in 2022/2023. The MOU covers a one -year period of July 1, 2022 to June 30, 2023, and may be extended for two (2) additional one-year periods upon written approval of both parties.
DECISION-MAKER CONFLICT
Staff has reviewed the decision contemplated by this action and has determined that it is not site-specific and consequently, the 500-foot rule found in California Code of Regulations Title 2, section 18702.2(a)(11), is not applicable to this decision for purposes of determining a disqualifying real property-related financial conflict of interest under the Political Reform Act (Cal. Gov't Code § 87100, et seq.).
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Staff is not independently aware and has not been inform ed by any City Council member of any other fact that may constitute a basis for a decision maker conflict of interest in this matter.
CURRENT-YEAR FISCAL IMPACT
The FY22/23 reimbursement from Chula Vista Elementary School District covers the personnel costs of 0.5 FTE Police Agent and four Police Officers in the SRO program . The personnel costs of 0.5 FTE Police Agent and three Police Officers are already included in the Police Department’s baseline budget. The addition of a fourth Police Officer requi res an additional appropriation of $156,548 to accept this Memorandum of Understanding, and to bring total SRO program staffing to one Police Sergeant, one Police Agent, eleven (11) Police Officers, and one Secretary. The additional appropriation of $156,5 48 to the Police Department General Fund is completely reimbursed by the Chula Vista Elementary School District.
The table below outlines the addition of the 4th SRO, resulting in $715,326 reimbursement from CVESD.
POSITIONS FY 22/23 FY 22/23 FY 22/23
Baseline Budget Appropriation Amended Budget
0.5 FTE SRO Agent $89,134 $0 $89,134
3 SROs $469,644 $0 $469,644
1 SRO $0 $156,548 $156,548
TOTAL SRO COST $558,778 $156,548 $715,326
Adoption of this resolution accepts the Memorandum of Understanding with Chula Vista Elementary School District for the School Resource Officer Program, appropriates $156,548 to the personnel category of the Police Department General Fund, and adds one Peace Officer to the authorized staffing level of the Pol ice Department. The cost of this new officer is fully funded by CVESD, resulting in no net fiscal impact to the General Fund.
ONGOING FISCAL IMPACT
The Police Department will continue providing updated personnel costs of the SRO program when drafting subsequent MOUs, and will seek Council approval of those MOUs.
ATTACHMENTS
Attachment 1: Memorandum of Understanding with Chula Vista Elementary School District for School Resource Officer Program
Staff Contact: Captain Phil Collum, Police Department