City Council
December 19, 2023
RECOMMENDATION
AGENDA REPORT
Staff Recommends That City Council Adopt A Resolution Authorizing The City Administrator To Accept And Appropriate The Fiscal Year 2022 Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) Funds In The Amount Of Three Hundred Eighty-Three Thousand, One Hundred Dollars And Thirty Cents ($383,100.30) For October 1, 2021 Through September 30, 2025, To Upgrade Equipment And Technology, And Fund Department-Wide Training.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The Oakland Police Department (OPD) will use the proposed funding from the 2022 Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) local allocation to send OPD law enforcement personnel to various trainings, courses, and conferences as well as bring specialized training to OPD. Additionally, the department plans to purchase new computers, updated software, and other hardware related to information technology needs that arise. The funding will also cover maintenance and fuel for OPD helicopters.
BACKGROUND / LEGISLATIVE HISTORY
The federal JAG program is divided into two allocations: a state allocation and a local allocation.
The state may distribute its allocation as it sees fit but must distribute the local allocation to eligible units of local government in predetermined amounts. Each county is required to apply as a consortium. Alameda County qualifies for a local allocation of $693,444 in local funds for the 2022 JAG grant. These funds may only be used by agencies for the following areas: local initiatives, technical assistance, training, personnel, equipment, supplies, contractual support, and information systems for criminal justice. Funds may also be used for research and evaluation activities that will improve or enhance law enforcement programs related to criminal justice. The local awards provide funding over a four-year span. The local awards include an initial lump sum distribution, which may be deposited into an interest-bearing account. There is no matching fund requirement.
As part of the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2005, the 108th Congress merged the discretionary Edward Byrne Memorial Grant Program with the formula-based Local Law TO: Jestin D. Johnson FROM: Darren Allison
City Administrator Interim Chief of Police
SUBJECT: OPD Justice Local Assistance Grant
(JAG) Funds
DATE: October 30, 2023
City Administrator Approval Date:
Jestin Johnson (Dec 4, 2023 14:53 PST)
Dec 4, 2023
Jestin D. Johnson, City Administrator
Subject: OPD Justice Local Assistance Grant (JAG) Funds Date: October 30, 2023 Page 2
City Council
December 19, 2023
Enforcement Block Grant (LLEBG) program to establish the JAG program. The Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA) administers the JAG program, and the Bureau of Justice Statistics (BJS) calculates the JAG formula-based award amounts using specifications outlined in the legislation.
To determine local awards, BJS determines which jurisdictions should be included in calculating the three-year violent crime averages on which local awards are based. These crime averages are computed using data published by the FBI’s Uniform Crime Reporting (UCR) Program. To be eligible to receive JAG funds, a jurisdiction must have provided to the UCR the number of violent crimes known to law enforcement each year for a minimum of three years in the last 10.
BJA has developed joint application groups to consolidate certain cities and counties for the JAG program. Alameda County is part of a joint application group with the cities of Alameda, Berkeley, Emeryville, Fremont, Hayward, Livermore, Newark, Oakland, San Leandro, and Union City. The Alameda County Sheriff’s Office (ACSO) is the designated lead for the Alameda County JAG consortium.
The City Council previously authorized acceptance of similar grant funds by Resolution No. 89665 C.M.S. dated April 7, 2023, by Resolution No. 87664 C.M.S. dated May 7, 2019, Resolution No. 86466 C.M.S. dated November 1, 2016, Resolution No. 85870 C.M.S. dated November 3, 2015, Resolution No. 85530 C.M.S. dated April 21, 2015, Resolution No. 84641 C.M.S. dated October 1, 2013, 84338 C.M.S. dated May 7, 2013, Resolution No. 83625 C.M.S. dated November 11, 2011, Resolution No.82934 C.M.S. dated July 20, 2010, Resolution No. 81975 C.M.S. dated May 5, 2009, Resolution No. 81581 C.M.S. dated October 7, 2008, Resolution No. 80873 C.M.S. dated October 2, 2007, Resolution No. 80128 C.M.S. dated September 19, 2006, Resolution No. 79764 C.M.S. dated September 19, 2006, and Resolution No. 79378 C.M.S. dated July 19, 2005.
ANALYSIS AND POLICY ALTERNATIVES
These grants advance the Citywide priorities of holistic community safety and responsive, trustworthy government. This funding helps OPD have up-to-date training and equipment to enable the agency to be responsive to community safety needs. The funds also help OPD collect information that is needed regarding IAD and UOF; thereby, allowing OPD to be transparent and in compliance for its highest-risk activities.
The Alameda County Sheriff’s Office (ACSO) formed the Alameda County JAG consortium in 2005 and updates the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with related amendments annually upon submission of the annual JAG grant application. As the lead agency, ACSO is entitled to ten percent of the award money for administering the JAG funds. Each member of the consortium may draw down its allocated funds less the ten percent administrative fee. OPD relies on JAG grant funding for equipment and training to utilize best practices, ensure transparency, and build public trust.
OPD needs state-of-the-art equipment, modern technological innovations, and investments in training to utilize best practices, ensure transparency and help build public trust. For the FY2022 Byrne JAG Local grant, OPD plans to invest in (1) training: sending OPD law enforcement Jestin D. Johnson, City Administrator
Subject: OPD Justice Local Assistance Grant (JAG) Funds Date: October 30, 2023 Page 3
City Council
December 19, 2023
personnel to various trainings, courses, and conferences as well as bring specialized training to OPD ($100,000), (2) technology innovations: new computers, updated software, other hardware related to IT needs, and other technology needs that arise ($100,000), and (3) maintenance and fuel for OPD helicopters ($183,100.30).
Collectively, these purchases will make OPD better positioned to deliver high-quality policing services, improve police-community relationships, and help keep Oakland safe.
FISCAL IMPACT
Table 1 below outlines the spending plan for the Fiscal Year 2022 JAG Local allocation is as follows:
Table 1: JAG Grant Spending Plan
Description of Funds Computation Amount
FY 2022 Byrne JAG
Local Allocation (City
of Oakland)
$425,667.00
Training Department-wide training $100,000.00
Technology Innovations IT and equipment upgrades $100,000.00
Equipment Upgrades
Helicopter maintenance $183,100.30
Oakland Spending Plan
Total
Total (Actual City of Oakland
Allocation): $383,100.30
Alameda County 10%
Administrative Fee $425,667.00 x 10%: $42,566.70
Funding will be appropriated in the Federal Grant Fund (2112), Fiscal Services Division Org (106510), Agency-wide Administration Program (PS01), and in Projects and Accounts to be determined.
Fiscal Year Fund Source Organization Program Amount
2022 2112 106510 PS01 $383,100.30
PUBLIC OUTREACH / INTEREST
Jestin D. Johnson, City Administrator
Subject: OPD Justice Local Assistance Grant (JAG) Funds Date: October 30, 2023 Page 4
City Council
December 19, 2023
There was no public outreach for the preparation of this report beyond the standard City Council noticing procedures.
COORDINATION
This report was reviewed by the Office of the City Attorney and the Budget Bureau.
SUSTAINABLE OPPORTUNITIES
Economic: When possible, supplies and equipment for this grant will be purchased locally.
Environmental: There are no environmental issues associated with this report.
Race and Equity: Grant funds and other resources contributed by partnering agencies are directed toward achieving increased service levels and long-term benefits for challenged areas.
Jestin D. Johnson, City Administrator
Subject: OPD Justice Local Assistance Grant (JAG) Funds Date: October 30, 2023 Page 5
City Council
December 19, 2023
ACTION REQUESTED OF THE CITY COUNCIL
Staff Recommends That City Council Adopt A Resolution Authorizing The City Administrator To Accept And Appropriate The Fiscal Year 2022 Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) Funds In The Amount Of Three Hundred Eighty-Three Thousand, One Hundred Dollars And Thirty Cents ($383,100.30) For October 1, 2021 Through September 30, 2025, To Upgrade Equipment And Technology, And Fund Department-Wide Training.
For questions regarding this report, please contact LaRaija Marshall, Fiscal Manager, at (510) 238-4767.
Reviewed by:
Kiona Suttle, Deputy Director
OPD, Bureau of Services
Tracey Jones, Police Services Manager
OPD, Research and Planning Unit
LaRajia Marshall, Fiscal Manager
OPD, Fiscal Services Division
Prepared by:
Amber Fuller, Acting Grants Coordinator
OPD, Fiscal Services Division