STAFF REPORT
City of Lancaster
CC 16
5/26/26
TN
Date: May 26, 2026
To: Mayor Parris and City Council Members
From: Rodrick Armalin, Chief of Police - Lancaster Police Department Subject: Approve Memorandum of Agreement to RAND Corporation for ECO system Evaluation Services
Recommendations:
1. Approve a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with RAND Corporation for evaluation of the ECOsystem project in accordance with the California Board of State and Community Corrections - CalVIP Chort 5 grant, for a period of three (3) years, not to exceed $200,000.
2. Authorize City Manager, or his designee, to execute the MOA, including all necessary documents, agreements, amendments, and provisions, subject to City Attorney approval.
G.C. Section 84308: No
Fiscal Impact:
No impact to the General Fund. Funds available in Lancaster Police Department expenditure account 23030000.5656.
Background:
In 2017, the California Board of State and Community Corrections (BSCC) established the California Community Violence Intervention and Prevention (CalVIP) grant program as an evidence-based violence reduction initiative. Over the past eight years, BSCC has awarded 4 cohorts.
As of July 2024, the program has benefited from an excise tax on the retail sales of firearms and ammunition, established by AB 28 (Gun Violence Prevention and School Safety Act). The first $75 million collected annually from this tax will be continuously appropriated to the BSCC for CalVIP, ensuring a dedicated and potentially substantial funding source for violence intervention initiatives.
2 3
7 5
In 2025, Cohort 5 opened to receive proposals. The City of Lancaster, through the Lancaster Police Department, developed a comprehensive grant application. The proposed project titled “The ECO System“ included funding to expand existing intervention programs for youth and targeted adults who may be vulnerable to gang and gun violence. The application also included the creation of an evaluation plan to insure program success and capture data necessary to support receiving state funding.
On February 12, 2026, the BSCC Board approved the Lancaster Police Department grant application and awarded funding in the amount of $2,031,333. Council accepted this award and appropriated the funds to revenue account LPDCALVIP.STATEOTHER.23030000.4998 on March 24, 2026 and April 28, 2026.
The Lancaster Police Department, through this MOA is partnering with RAND Corporation to evaluate the effectiveness of the Community Violence Intervention (CVI) strategy, which will directly address the root causes and immediate threats of violence. Through this partnership, Lancaster can enhance the ecosystem that reduces violence today while laying the foundation for long-term resilience and opportunity.
This report focuses on approving the MOA between the City of Lancaster and the RAND in the amount of $200,000.00, funded by the CalVIP grant through the executed grant agreement between the California Board of State and Community Corrections and the City of Lancaster for project evaluation services.
RA/cm
Attachment:
MOA between City of Lancaster and RAND Corporation
BSCC CalVIP Grant Agreement