City of Gonzales
CITY MANAGER DEPARTMENT
STAFF REPORT
TO: Honorable Mayor Rios and City Council
DATE: September 16, 2024
FROM: Carmen Gil, City Manager
THROUGH: Carmen Gil, City Manager
SUBJECT: MOA Between the City of Gonzales and Gonzales Unified School District for a School Resource Officer
RECOMMENDATION
It is recommended that the City Council Authorize the City Manager to sign a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) between the City of Gonzales and the Gonzales Unified School District (GUSD), to co-sponsor a Resource Officer position jointly funded by the City and GUSD.
BACKGROUND
The Gonzales Police Department and GUSD have been working collaboratively for years. In 1996, through grant funding, Officers begun being placed at the school sites to better serve GUSD. After multiple failed tries at securing grant funding, GUSD and the City decided to collectively fund a School Resource Officer position in 2016. Since then, we have continued to collectively fund the position (50% each).
REVIEW AND ANALYSIS
Although there is an old MOA in place that extends on a year-to-year basis, GUSD and the City Manager thought it was prudent to put a new MOA in place that can cover the next five years (July 1, 2024 – June 31, 2031) and make any revisions necessary.
Having a dedicated SRO that effectively works with GUSD students, teachers and parents, can make all the difference when it comes to prevention and establishing a safe environment for everyone not only within the halls of GUSD schools, but also throughout the community. As a result, it is important to remain vigilant and not take safety for granted. This proactive step is aligned with our “Gonzales Youth Achieve 21st Century Success Initiative.”
AGENDA
ITEM
16 With that in mind, the City and School District first entered talks about jointly funding the hiring of a SRO, with the District and the City each paying half of the cost of the position and developed the initial MOA. Years later, the partnership has proven successful; the school district values the partnership, the direct access to the Officer and the additional support.
The MOA delineates the responsibilities, expectations of and funding obligations for the SRO.
Essentially, the SRO would patrol all four of the District’s Schools with certain days set aside for each school site. The SRO would also be available to respond to incidents away from the schools when needed, and the normal Patrol Officers would respond to assist at the schools when needed. GUSD and the City would give the SRO the ability to flex the hours worked so that he/she would be able to attend games and other school events while keeping overtime costs down. In addition, the MOA provides for feedback from the GUSD on the performance of the SRO and establishes a new 5-year Agreement term.
Explain Recommendation and How it Supports the Vision
Gonzales will continue to be a safe, clean, family-friendly community, diverse in its heritage, and committed to working collaboratively to preserve and retain its small town charm.
Explain: Gonzales prides itself on being a safe community. The requested action provides further safety measures for GUSD and the community at-large.
The City Council and Staff of the City of Gonzales will realize our Vision by providing the leadership, commitment, and resources necessary to provide excellent services that enhance the quality of life of our diverse community.
Explain: Having an SRO who can work well with the School District can make a positive and proactive difference in the lives of those that may struggle with unwanted behaviors, thus supporting our youth, families and community.
City services will be delivered in a cost-effective, respectful, and friendly manner to insure the safety and well being of the residents and the promotion of business, recreational, housing and employment opportunities in an environmentally sustainable manner.
The collaborative approach to funding the SRO will provide the City with a needed resource with the benefit of half the costs being funded by the School District.
Strong fiscal policies allow us to provide appropriate infrastructure for:
• Public Safety X Yes ___ No NA
• Housing Yes ___ No X NA
• Recreation Yes ___ No X NA
• Environment Yes ___ No X NA
• Education X Yes ___ No NA
Explain: The SRO will provide both public safety and educational benefit to our youth and residents.
Having an Officer trained to respond to and deal with the youth, will benefit the City and School District with increased public safety presence in our schools.
ALTERNATIVES
The City Council can consider 1) not approving the MOA, or 2) direct staff to modify the MOA.
However, not approving the MOA for the SRO is not recommended, because it is a position that has been budgeted for in the current fiscal year and is an important resource for GUSD and the City. Additionally, issues have surfaced that the SRO has been able to handle more appropriately by being directly connected to the School District.
BUDGET IMPACT
Fifty percent of the SRO position, approximately $83,500 has already been included in this year’s (FY 24/25) Budget. Therefore, there would be no unbudgeted expense.
CONCLUSION
It is recommended that the City Council Authorize the City Manager to sign a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) between the City of Gonzales and the Gonzales Unified School District (GUSD), to co-sponsor a Resource Officer position jointly funded by the City and GUSD.
Attachments:
1. MOA with GUSD for SRO