City Council Memorandum
TO: HONORABLE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL DATE: JANUARY 25, 2022 FROM: RIVERSIDE POLICE DEPARTMENT WARDS: ALL
SUBJECT: RESOLUTION TO ACCEPT GRANT FUNDS IN THE AMOUNT OF $218,502 FROM THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA, DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE - TOBACCO GRANT PROGRAM FOR THE PERIOD OF JULY 1, 2021 THROUGH JUNE 30, 2024 ISSUE:
Adopt a resolution to accept the State of California, Department of Justice Tobacco Grant Program grant award in the amount of $218,502 to increase enforcement activity aimed at reducing illegal sales and marketing of cigarettes and tobacco related products, including e-cigarettes, to minors for the period of July 1, 2021 through June 30, 2024.
RECOMMENDATION:
That the City Council adopt a resolution to accept the State of California, Department of Justice Tobacco Grant Program award in the amount of $218,502 to increase enforcement activity aimed at reducing illegal sales and marketing of cigarettes and tobacco related products, including e-cigarettes, to minors for the period of July 1, 2021 through June 30, 2024.
BACKGROUND:
In 2016, voters approved Proposition 56, the California Healthcare, Research and Prevention Tax Act of 2016. The proposition increased taxes on cigarettes and other tobacco products by $2 effective April 2017. The tax increase established a grant program for local governments, administered by the California Department of Justice. It is estimated for Fiscal Year 2021/22 a total of $26.8 million in grant funding will be available statewide to support local enforcement efforts to reduce the illegal sale of tobacco products to minors.
On June 1, 2021, City Council unanimously approved the acceptance of grant funding in the amount of $218,502 for the California Department of Justice Tobacco Grant Program, authorized a supplemental appropriation in the grant amount, and authorized the City Manager, or designee, to execute all necessary grant documents, including making minor and non-substantive changes.
DISCUSSION:
The Riverside Police Department was awarded $218,502 on November 18, 2021 by the State of California, Department of Justice Tobacco Grant Program. These funds will support the City’s efforts to reduce underage tobacco use, sales to minors, and educational awareness to youths and retail vendors.
The Tobacco Grant Program will be implemented by the Riverside Police Department, Special Investigations Bureau, Vice Unit. The funding will provide overtime for two tobacco enforcement programs including Minor Decoy and Shoulder Tap.
Minor Decoy Program
Allows law enforcement agencies to use persons under 20 years of age as decoys for the purpose of purchasing tobacco products from licensed premises.
Shoulder Tap Program
Enforcement program used by local law enforcement agencies wherein a minor decoy, under the supervision of law enforcement officers, solicits adults outside licensed stores to buy tobacco products for the minor.
In addition, to tobacco enforcement programs, grant funding will provide for training, prevention, and educational programs. The grant programs will operate July 1, 2021, through June 30, 2024.
STRATEGIC PLAN ALIGNMENT:
This item contributes to Strategic Priority No. 2 Community Well-Being and Goal No. 2.4 – Support programs and innovations that enhance community safety, encourage neighborhood engagement, and build public trust.
This item aligns with EACH of the five Cross-Cutting Threads as follows:
Community Trust – The Riverside Police Department is dedicated to improving quality of life by creating a safe environment in partnership with the people it serves. RPD’s ability to enforce tobacco related regulations, serves the public interest, benefits the City’s diverse populations, and results in the greater public good.
Equity – RPD endeavors to provide public safety services to all residents in the City of Riverside. The addition of tobacco policing funds assists in the achievement of this goal and ensures that only those that should be buying and selling tobacco are doing so.
Fiscal Responsibility – This grant will provide partial funding for tobacco related operations, lessening the financial 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 funding from this grant ensures the Police Department has the capacity to preserve, adapt, and grow with the needs of the community.
FISCAL IMPACT:
There is no fiscal impact to this action. This is a resolution requirement for the acceptance of the grant award. Previous Council approval for appropriation was authorized on June 1, 2021. No matching funds are required.
Prepared by: Larry 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
Attachment: Resolution
Tobacco FY 22-24 Grant Award