July 28, 2026
Police Department
DATE: July 28, 2026
TO: Mayor Martinez and Members of the City Council
FROM:
Timothy Simmons, Chief of Police
Subject:
Accept and Appropriate the Department of California
Highway Patrol Cannabis Tax Fund Grant
FINANCIAL IMPACT: The proposed $204,505.47 expenditure is funded by the California Highway Patrol Cannabis Tax Fund Grant
Program. The budget for the Police Department will be
increased by $204,505.47, and the Police Department
grant revenue account will be increased by $204,505.47.
There is no net change to the budget.
PREVIOUS COUNCIL
ACTION:
None.
STATEMENT OF THE
ISSUE:
The Richmond Police Department has been awarded
$204,505.47 through the California Highway Patrol’s
Cannabis Tax Fund Grant Program to support traffic-
safety enforcement and education. City Council action is needed to accept and appropriate the grant funds for
efforts addressing impaired driving, speeding, distracted driving, and related risks to drivers, cyclists, and
pedestrians.
RECOMMENDED ACTION:
ADOPT a resolution to ACCEPT and APPROPRIATE
$204,505.47 of reimbursable grant funds from the
Department of California Highway Patrol Cannabis Tax
Fund Grant Program to reduce and mitigate the impacts
of impaired driving within the community, and
AUTHORIZE the City Manager or their designee to
execute all necessary documentation - Police
Department (Chief Timothy Simmons 510-621-1802).
AGENDA
REPORT
July 28, 2026
DISCUSSION:
Background and Purpose
The City of Richmond – Richmond Police Department (RPD) has been identified as a grantee for the California Highway Patrol (CHP), Cannabis Tax Fund Grant Program (CTFGP), with an allocation of $204,505.47 (Attachment 1). This grant is specifically intended to support the Richmond Police Department’s efforts to reduce and mitigate the impacts of impaired driving within the community. The scope includes addressing issues related to alcohol, drugs, speeding, and distracted driving, all of which directly affect the safety of drivers, cyclists, and pedestrians.
Community Impact
Acceptance of these funds will enable the Police Department to implement best practice strategies in enforcement operations, increase high-visibility patrols, and leverage media outreach as a deterrent. These actions are expected to enhance public safety and reduce incidents of impaired driving, thereby protecting residents and visitors throughout Richmond.
Compliance and Oversight
The grant requires the City Council to hold a public meeting to consider the Police Chief’s funding request. The City will abide by all terms and conditions set forth by the California Highway Patrol, ensuring that grant funds are used exclusively for their intended purpose and not to supplant existing expenditures. The City Manager will establish appropriate accounting codes for fund management, and the Police Department Accountant will submit all required reports and summaries to maintain compliance with state law (Attachment 3).
Recommendation
The RPD staff recommend that the City Council adopt the resolution to accept and appropriate the $204,505.47 in reimbursable CTFGP grant funds, and authorize the City Manager, or their designee, to execute all necessary documentation (Attachment 4).
Doing so will reinforce Richmond’s commitment to public safety, provide critical resources for impaired driving prevention, and ensure transparent stewardship of state funds.
DOCUMENTS ATTACHED:
Attachment 1 – CHP Letterhead
Attachment 2 – Grant Award Signature Page
Attachment 3 – Quick Reference Guide
Attachment 4 – Resolution