City Council Memorandum
TO: HONORABLE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL DATE: JANUARY 16, 2024 FROM: POLICE DEPARTMENT WARDS: ALL
SUBJECT: INTERLOCAL AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE CITIES OF BANNING, BEAUMONT, CATHEDRAL CITY, COACHELLA, CORONA, DESERT HOT SPRINGS, HEMET, INDIO, JURUPA VALLEY, LAKE ELSINORE, MENIFEE, MORENO VALLEY, PALM SPRINGS, PERRIS, CITY OF RIVERSIDE, TEMECULA AND THE COUNTY OF RIVERSIDE, CA CONCERNING DISTRIBUTION OF THE 2023 JUSTICE ASSISTANCE GRANT AWARD AND RIVERSIDE COUNTY SHERIFF’S DEPARTMENT CERTIFIED STANDARD ASSURANCES - SUPPLEMENTAL APPROPRIATION ISSUE:
Approve the Interlocal Agreement between the cities of Banning, Beaumont, Cathedral City, Coachella, Corona, Desert Hot Springs, Hemet, Indio, Jurupa Valley, Lake Elsinore, Menifee, Moreno Valley, Palm Springs, Perris, City of Riverside, Temecula and the County of Riverside, California, concerning distribution of the 2023 Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) Program. Also approve Riverside County Sheriff’s Department Certified Standard Assurances. 2023 JAG funding is in the amount of $120,495 through the County of Riverside who will be acting as the fiscal agent for the grant program.
RECOMMENDATIONS:
That the City Council:
Approve the Interlocal Agreement between the cities of Banning, Beaumont, Cathedral City, Coachella, Corona, Desert Hot Springs, Hemet, Indio, Jurupa Valley, Lake Elsinore, Menifee, Moreno Valley, Palm Springs, Perris, Temecula, City of Riverside, and the County of Riverside, California, concerning the distribution of the 2023 Justice Assistance Grant Award; Approve the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department Certified Standard Assurances; Authorize the Police Department to apply for grant funding in the amount of $120,495 through the County of Riverside, acting as fiscal agent for all eligible entities within the county; Authorize the expenditure of grant funds to continue paying for the salary and benefits of a Senior Forensic Specialist position; With at least five affirmative votes, upon receipt of the grant award, authorize the Chief Financial Officer or designee, to record an increase in revenue and appropriate expenditures in the amount of $120,495, or in the amount of the grant award, in the Grants and Restrictive Programs Fund, JAG 23 Grant Program revenue and expenditure accounts; and Authorize the City Manager, or designee, to execute all grant documents associated with the 2023 Justice Assistance Grant Program, including making minor and non-substantive changes.
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. The amount of funding is distributed on the basis of population and Part 1 crime statistics. Murder, rape, robbery assault, burglary, motor vehicle theft, larceny-theft and arson are Part 1 crimes.
In the past, the Police Department has received funding directly. Since 2013, all eligible agencies in Riverside County have applied as a group through one fiscal agent. Riverside County is the fiscal agent.
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 JAG 2023 is $133,883. Since the County of Riverside is the fiscal agent for 2023, each eligible agency has agreed to provide 10% of their respective allocation to the County for administering the grant. This will leave the City of Riverside with a funding amount of $120,495.
The Police Department proposes to use $120,495 in JAG funds to continue funding the salary and benefits of one Senior Forensic Specialist position for approximately eleven months.
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 total fiscal impact of this action is $120,495. Upon Council approval and receipt of grant award, an increase in revenues and an appropriation of expenditures in the amount of $120,495, or in the amount of the grant award, will be recorded in the Grants and Restricted Programs Fund, JAG 23 Grant Program, revenue account number 9179000-331100 and expenditure account number 9179000-440110.
Prepared by: Brandi Becker, Police Administrator
Approved by: Larry V. Gonzalez, Chief of Police
Certified as to
availability of funds: Kristie Thomas, Finance Director/Assistant Chief Financial Officer Approved by: Mike Futrell, City Manager
Approved as to form: Phaedra Norton, City Attorney
Attachments:
Interlocal Agreement
Certified Standard Assurances
Justice Assistance Grant 2023