City Council Memorandum
TO: HONORABLE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL DATE: JANUARY 4, 2022 FROM: RIVERSIDE POLICE DEPARTMENT WARDS: ALL
SUBJECT: U.S. DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION, FEDERAL RAILROAD ADMINISTRATION – CONSOLIDATED RAIL INFRASTRUCTURE AND SAFETY IMPROVEMENTS PROGRAM GRANT IN THE AMOUNT OF $24,520.39 – MATCHING FUNDS IN THE AMOUNT OF $12,260.20 – INTERFUND TRANSFER AND SUPPLEMENTAL APPROPRIATION ISSUES:
Approve the acceptance of grant funding in the amount of $24,520.39 from the U.S. Department of Transportation, Federal Railroad Administration for the Consolidated Rail Infrastructure and Safety Improvements Program grant for the tentative period of April 1, 2022 through March 31, 2023 and a supplemental appropriation in the amount of $36,780.59.
RECOMMENDATIONS:
That the City Council:
Approve the acceptance of the Consolidated Rail Infrastructure and Safety Improvements Program Grant funding in the amount of $24,520.39 from the U.S. Department of Transportation, Federal Railroad Administration for the tentative period of April 1, 2022 through March 31, 2023; and Authorize the City Manager, or designee, to execute all required grant documents including making minor and non-substantive changes to documents associated with the grant; and With five affirmative votes, and upon receipt of the grant award, authorize the Chief Financial Officer, or designee, to record a supplemental appropriation in the amount of $24,520.39 and record an increase in revenue in the same amount to the Grants and Restricted Programs Fund, Consolidated Rail Infrastructure and Safety Improvements Program Grant; and With five affirmative votes, and upon receipt of the grant award, the Chief Financial Officer, or designee, to record an interfund transfer in the amount of $12,260.20 from General Fund Police Department Overtime account to the Grants and Restricted Programs Fund, Consolidated Rail Infrastructure and Safety Improvements Program Grant for matching funds for the Consolidated Rail Infrastructure and Safety Improvements Program Grant account.
BACKGROUND:
The mission of the Federal Railroad Administration is to enable the safe, reliable, and efficient movement of people. The Federal Railroad Administration accomplishes this mission primarily through issuance, implementation, and enforcement of safety regulations.
DISCUSSION:
The Federal Railroad Administration Consolidated Rail Infrastructure and Safety Improvements Program Grant assists communities at risk for rail trespassing related incidents and fatalities. The grant program funds would support City of Riverside efforts to reduce rail trespassing occurrences. The object of the program is to evaluate the effectiveness of funding local law enforcement activities intended to reduce trespassing on the rail right-of-way. Grant applications were due no later than November 29, 2021 at 2 p.m.
In 2020 and 2021, there were three railroad-related accidents in the City of Riverside. In previous years, there have also been fatalities among students from the local high schools located near the railroad tracks. As encroachment in the railroad right-of-way continues, these occurrences have the potential to increase.
An application was submitted by the Riverside Police Department for the Consolidated Rail Infrastructure and Safety Improvements Program Grant on November 29, 2021. The Department requested $24,520.39 in grant funding and committed to $12,260.20 in matching funds. If awarded, the grant will fund overtime for four police officers and one sergeant to conduct ten railroad trespass enforcement related activities, five follow-up operations, and an after-action meeting. The program will be implemented by the Riverside Police Department’s Special Operations Division. All activities and their associated benefits will be reported to the Federal Railroad Administration.
The grant term is one year from the program start date, tentatively April 1, 2022 through March 31, 2023.
STRATEGIC PLAN ALIGNMENT:
This item contributes to Strategic Priority No. 2 Community Well-Being and Goal No. 2.5 – Foster relationships between community members, partner organizations, and public safety professionals to define, prioritize, and address community safety and social service needs.
This item aligns with EACH of the five Cross-Cutting Threads as follows:
Community Trust – The Riverside Police Department is dedicated to improving the quality of life by creating a safe environment in partnership with the community it serves. RPD acts with integrity and grit to reduce fear and crime, while treating all with respect, compassion, and fairness.
Equity – RPD endeavors to provide public safety services to all residents in the City of Riverside. The additional railroad trespass patrols assist in the achievement of this goal and ensures that every member of the community has access to these services.
Fiscal Responsibility – This grant will provide partial funding for four police officers and one sergeant to conduct railroad trespass enforcement and follow-ups, lessening the salary and benefits burden on the Police Department.
Innovation – RPD must constantly change and adapt to meet the community’s changing needs and prepare for the future.
Sustainability & Resiliency – The additional railroad trespass operations that will be made possible with this grant ensures the Police Department has the capacity to preserve, adapt, and grow with the needs of the community.
FISCAL IMPACT:
The total fiscal impact of this action is $36,780.59 which includes grant funds in the amount of $24,520.39 and City matching funds in the amount of $12,260.20.
Sufficient funds for the City match are budgeted in the General Fund, Police Department Special Operations Overtime Account 3125000-413120. Upon City Council approval and following receipt of the grant award, the following entries will be recorded:
Grants and Restricted Programs Fund
Grant Revenue
9174700-331100
$36,780.59
Grant Expenditure – Overtime Costs
9174700-413120
$24,520.39
Grant Expenditure – City Match
9174700-413120
$12,260.20
General Fund
Police Department Overtime Costs - City Match
3125000-413120
$(12,260.20)
Prepared by: Larry V. Gonzalez, Chief of Police
Certified as to
availability of funds: Edward Enriquez, Chief Financial Officer/City Treasurer Approved by: Lea Deesing, Assistant City Manager
Approved as to form: Phaedra A. Norton, City Attorney
Federal Railroad Administration - Page 2