CITY COUNCIL STAFF REPORT
Meeting Date: July 15, 2024
TO: THE HONORABLE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCILMEMBERS
SUBJECT: ADOPT RESOLUTION NO. ___-24 ACCEPTING FUNDS AND
AUTHORIZING EXPENDITURES FROM THE CALIFORNIA
SUPPLEMENT LAW ENFORCEMENT SERVICES ACCOUNT (SLESA)
SYNOPSIS
The purpose of this item is to accept Fiscal Year 2024-25 grant funds and authorize the recommended use of grant funds from the California Supplemental Law Enforcement Services Account (SLESA), formerly known as “Supplemental Law Enforcement Services Fund” (SLESF).
DISCUSSION
Background
In 1996, California state legislation (AB 3229) created the Citizens Options for Public Safety (COPS) program, allocating a minimum of $100,000 to eligible local governments yearly for frontline law enforcement services. These funds are distributed through the SLESA. The funds cannot be used to supplant resources, but instead must be used to supplement existing resources or funding. SLESA funds can be used for salaries, services, supplies, equipment, and administrative overhead. SLESA funds cannot be diverted into an entity’s general fund and must be used for the aforementioned front-line law enforcement services. The total award to each recipient is proportionate to the population, with the minimum award for all entities set at $100,000 yearly.
The Pleasant Hill 2024-25 fiscal year award is $186,000. Enabling legislation specifies a city council must appropriate funds as specified in the written request of the entity’s chief of police.
Funds are distributed from the State to the County, which then distributes the funds to the City.
Analysis
The Police Department’s proposed use of SLESA funds in Fiscal Year 2024-25 will go toward funding the following items:
Automated License Plate Reader and Real Time Information Center Cameras Expansion of the current Automated License Plate Reader (ALPR) program. ALPR captures digital images of vehicle license plates as they pass the reader camera. Any license plate matched to a license plate in the system’s database is reported in real-time to law enforcement. This information enables officers to act based on the data type received. ALPR systems are very effective in locating and recovering stolen vehicles, alerting law enforcement officers to vehicles wanted in connection with other crimes, and obtaining investigative data that assist law enforcement in investigating and solving criminal cases. This technology is one of many programs designed to keep the City of Pleasant Hill safe and prevent property crimes.
In addition, the City of Pleasant Hill is home to many retail establishments that could be targets for organized retail theft and other crimes. It is imperative that the Police Department leverage additional resources to supplement our current community-oriented policing model with a technology-driven policing approach to reducing crime. Adding live stream pan tilt zoom video cameras in fixed key locations will provide greater deterrence, coverage, and more detailed information for law enforcement to prevent crime, increase public safety, and solve cases. In addition, this added technology can be utilized to assess and respond to traffic related issues and accidents. It can also be used as a component of the City’s Emergency Operation Center.
The Police Department requests a commitment of $24,000 from SLESA funds to purchase ALPR equipment and real-time information center cameras.
Dispatch Supervisor Position
Until 2019, the supervision of the professional staff in the Support Services Division fell to a single civilian supervisor, but because of the ongoing changes and significantly increased work requirements, it was no longer feasible to have a single supervisor oversee the numerous employees and job functions. Consequently, this led to a reorganization of the Services Division and the recommendation of a new Dispatch Supervisor position. The Police Department requests a commitment of $20,000 from SLESA funds to offset the cost of this position.
Secondary Dispatch Room Furniture & Carpeting
The Police Department’s large secondary dispatch room in the front office contains three dispatch stations with supportive seating and motorized monitor/data entry desks to provide an ergonomic workspace. The motorized work desks have been essential components of this workspace as dispatchers have options for various work postures, both standing and sitting. The existing motorized desks are old, and one has become inoperable. In addition, new lower-profile computer storage cabinetry can hold all essential equipment while allowing for less clutter in the confined space of the secondary dispatch room. Finally, the secondary dispatch room’s old antistatic carpeting is heavily worn and needs replacement. The Police Department requests a commitment of $60,000 from SLESA funds to cover the cost of new furniture and electrostaticreducing carpeting in the secondary dispatch room.
Data Integration Platform
The Police Department is committed to enhancing technology that enables staff to provide a higher quality level of service and increased public safety. The evolving demands of police work have increased the burden on staff to efficiently access multiple data sets and analyze that data quickly. This is true not only of sworn personnel during criminal investigations, but also with professional staff fulfilling Public Records Act (PRA) and subpoena requests and general records management. The Police Department has recognized the need for efficient information delivery to enhance public safety. This has become increasingly challenging as rapid technological changes and staff relying on technology services have impacted workflow and efficiency, creating a need for a data integration platform.
The Police Department is seeking a Data Integration Platform that provides a single point of access to quickly view and analyze large-scale data from various internal data sources into useful analysis products and significantly reduces staffing time. Data Integration Platforms are currently used by other law enforcement agencies in Contra Costa County, including the Contra Costa County District Attorney’s Office. These agencies can also seamlessly and securely share/exchange information. The Police Department requests a commitment of $57,000 from SLESA funds to cover the cost of a Data Integration Platform.
Police Department Sign and Electronic Message Board
During the completion of the Civic Drive and Taylor Boulevard intersection upgrade project, the old and deteriorated Police Department sign structure had to be removed. The Police Department needs a new sign structure with an electronic message board, like the one in front of City Hall, which will allow the City and the Police Department to communicate notifications and public outreach information more effectively to the general public. The proposed electronic message sign will replace the existing A-frame signs currently used for public noticing purposes at the Police Department. The Police Department requests a commitment of $25,000 from SLESA funds to cover half the cost of an electronic message board.
FISCAL IMPACT
No general fund fiscal impact is anticipated. By statute, funds from SLESA may not be combined with general fund accounts. The use and administration of SLESA grant funds require minimal staff time to manage. The Finance Department has confirmed funds exist in the SLESA account to cover all recommended expenditures.
PUBLIC CONTACT
Public contact was made through posting of the City Council agenda on the City’s official notice bulletin board, at the Pleasant Hill Senior Center, and at the Pleasant Hill Police Department.
The agenda and staff report are posted on the City’s web page.
RECOMMENDED CITY COUNCIL ACTION
Staff recommends that the City Council adopt the proposed resolution accepting the grant and the proposed use of funds.
ALTERNATIVES TO RECOMMENDED ACTION
The Council could direct staff to not accept the grant or revise the list of recommended items.
ATTACHMENT(S):
Proposed Resolution
Prepared by: Captain Matt Kristic
Reviewed by: Chief Scott Vermillion