City Council Memorandum
TO: HONORABLE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL DATE: MARCH 14, 2023 FROM: POLICE DEPARTMENT WARDS: ALL
SUBJECT: AUTHORIZE AN APPLICATION TO THE 2022 JUSTICE ASSISTANCE GRANT PROGRAM OFFERED THROUGH THE COUNTY OF RIVERSIDE IN THE AMOUNT OF $124,303, LESS 10% TO THE COUNTY AS FISCAL AGENT, AND APPROVE AN INTERLOCAL AGREEMENT CONCERNING DISTRIBUTION OF THE GRANT AWARD AND ADDITIONAL RIVERSIDE COUNTY SHERIFF’S DEPARTMENT CERTIFIED STANDARD ASSURANCES – SUPPLEMENTAL APPROPRIATION ISSUES:
Authorize the Police Department to apply to the 2022 Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) Program through the County of Riverside in the amount of $124,303, less 10% administration to the County as fiscal agent, and approve an Interlocal Agreement Concerning Distribution of the Grant award along with Riverside County Sheriff’s Department Certified Standard Assurances, and authorize a supplemental appropriation in the amount of $111,872.
RECOMMENDATIONS:
That the City Council:
Authorize the Police Department to apply to the 2022 Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) Program through the County of Riverside in the amount of $124,303, less 10% to be reallocated to the County as fiscal agent; Approve an Interlocal Agreement Concerning Distribution of the 2022 Justice Assistance Grant Award; Approve the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department Certified Standard Assurances; Authorize the Chief Financial Officer, or his designee, to record an increase in revenues and appropriate expenditures in the amount of $111,872, or an amount equal to the grant award, to the Grants and Restrictive Programs Fund, Police Department JAG 22 Grant Program following receipt of the grant award; and Authorize the City Manager, or designee, to execute any and all grant documents associated with the 2022 Justice Assistance Grant Program, including making minor and non-substantive changes as necessary.
BACKGROUND:
The JAG program is administered by the U.S. Department of Justice, Bureau of Justice Assistance. The purpose of the JAG program is to provide funds to states and units of local government to underwrite projects to reduce crime and improve public safety. Funding is distributed on the basis of population and Part 1 crime statistics. Part 1 crimes include murder, rape, robbery assault, burglary, motor vehicle theft, larceny-theft, and arson.
In the past, the Police Department received funding directly from the DOJ. Since 2013, all eligible agencies in Riverside County have applied as a group through one fiscal agent. The County of Riverside will be acting as the fiscal agent for all eligible agencies in Riverside County and takes a 10% charge for this activity.
DISCUSSION:
JAG funds may be used for local initiatives, technical assistance, training, personnel, equipment, supplies, contractual support and information systems for criminal justice. The amount allocated to the City of Riverside for the 2022 JAG program is $124,303, less 10% or $12,431 to be reallocated to the County of Riverside as the fiscal agent. The City of Riverside will receive the remaining $111,872. There is no match required for this grant.
The Police Department proposes to use $108,142 in JAG funds to continue funding the salary and benefits of one Senior Forensic Specialist position for approximately nine months. The remaining $3,730 will be used to pay the cost of overtime that will be needed to implement the new National Incident-Based Reporting System (NIBRS) crime data-reporting program as well as for compliance and training. NIBRS was implemented on January 1, 2023 and is required by the State of California.
STRATEGIC PLAN ALIGNMENT:
This item contributes to Strategic Priority No. 2 Community Well-Being and Goal number 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 employee a Senior Forensic Specialist, 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 Senior Forensic Specialist position assists in the achievement of this goal and ensures that those that commit crimes are brought to justice.
Fiscal Responsibility – This grant will provide funding for a Senior Forensic Specialist, 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:
The net fiscal impact of this action is $0, with no matching requirement. Upon receipt of the grant award, revenues in an amount equal to the grant award will be recorded to Grants and Restricted Programs Fund, Police Department JAG 22 Grant Program, revenue account number 9177700-331100 and expenditures in the same amount will be appropriated to Grants and Restricted Programs Fund, Police Department JAG 22 Grant Program, expenditure account number 9177700-440110.
Prepared by: Larry V. Gonzalez, Chief of Police
Certified as to
availability of funds: Edward Enriquez, Interim Assistant City Manager and Chief Financial Officer/City Treasurer Approved by: Mike Futrell, City Manager
Approved as to form: Phaedra Norton, City Attorney
Attachments:
Interlocal Agreement
Certified Standard Assurances
Justice Assistance Grant 2022