City Council Memorandum
TO: HONORABLE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL DATE: AUGUST 6, 2024 FROM: RIVERSIDE POLICE DEPARTMENT WARD: ALL SUBJECT: RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING ACCEPTANCE OF GRANT AWARD FROM DEPARTMENT OF CALIFORNIA HIGHWAY PATROL'S 2024/2025 CANNABIS TAX GRANT PROGRAM FOR THE EDUCATION, PREVENTION AND ENFORCEMENT OF LAWS RELATED TO DRIVING UNDER THE INFLUENCE IN THE AMOUNT OF $148,364.83 - SUPPLEMENTAL APPROPRIATION ISSUE:
Adopt a Resolution authorizing the acceptance of a grant award from the California Highway Patrol's 2024/2025 Cannabis Tax Grant Program for the education, prevention, and enforcement of laws related to driving under the influence for the period of July 1, 2024, through June 30, 2025, in the amount of $148,364.83.
RECOMMENDATIONS:
That the City Council:
Adopt a resolution authorizing the acceptance of a grant award from the Department of California Highway Patrol's 2024/2025 Cannabis Tax Fund Grant Program for the education, prevention, and enforcement of laws related to driving under the influence in the amount of $148,364.83; With at least five affirmative votes, authorize the Chief Financial Officer, or designee, to record an increase in revenue and appropriate expenditures in an amount equal to the grant award in the Grants and Restricted Programs, Cannabis Tax Grant revenue and expenditure accounts; and Upon grant award, authorize the City Manager, or designee, to execute all grant documents with the Department of California Highway Patrol Cannabis Tax Fund Grant Program, including making minor and non-substantive changes.
BACKGROUND:
With the passage of Proposition 64 in 2016, the Control, Regulate, and Tax Adult Use Marijuana Act (AUMU), California voters mandated the state to set aside funding for the CHP to provide grants to local governments and qualified non-profit organizations for the education, prevention, and enforcement of impaired driving laws pursuant to Section 34019(f)(3)(B) Revenue and Taxation Code (RTC).
DISCUSSION:
The California Department of Highway Patrol Cannabis Tax Fund Grant Program provides financial assistance to allied agencies for the education, prevention, and the enforcement of laws related to driving under the influence of alcohol and other drugs, including cannabis. The intent of the program is to educate the public regarding the dangers of impaired driving, enforce impaired driving laws on the roadway, and improve the agency's effectiveness through training and development of new strategies.
The Riverside Police Department applied for grant funds that would support the City's efforts to reduce occurrences of injury and fatal collisions. Several best practice strategies would be used to impact traffic safety including training, community education, strategic operations, and supplies to support those operations.
Upon City Council approval, the California Department of Highway Patrol Cannabis Tax Fund Grant Program would be implemented by the Riverside Police Department's Field Operations Traffic Division. The grant would fund the overtime operations during the term of July 1, 2024, through June 30, 2025. Strategic operations will include traffic enforcement operations, DUI saturation patrols, education programs for parents and teaching staff, and officer training classes.
Adoption of a resolution by City Council explicitly stating the agency has delegated authority to enter into an agreement for the requested grant amount of $148,364.83 is required for this grant opportunity and prior to execution of the grant documents. Any standard funding agreement would be approved by the City Attorney.
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 (RPD) is dedicated to improving quality of life by creating a safe environment in partnership with the people it serves. RPD’s ability to enforce impaired driving laws and serve the public interest benefits the City’s diverse population, and results in the greater public good.
Equity – RPD provides public safety services to all residents in the City of Riverside. The addition of cannabis policing funds assists in the achievement of this goal and ensures safer streets for everyone.
Fiscal Responsibility – This grant will provide partial funding for cannabis related operations, lessening the financial burden on the City’s General Fund.
Innovation – RPD must constantly evolve and adapt to meet the community’s changing needs and prepare for the future. This grant provides funding for impaired driving and safety enforcement and education programs that might not otherwise be implemented.
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 an increase in revenue and expenditures in the amount of $148,364.83, or the actual award amount. The total grant award is up to $148,364.83, and no matching funds are required. Upon Council approval and receipt of the grant award, an increase in revenue will be recorded and an equal amount of expenditures appropriated in an amount up to $148,364.83 in the Grants and Restricted Programs Fund, Cannabis Tax Grant, Revenue and Expenditure account listed in the table below:
Fund
Program
Account
Amount
Grants & Restricted Programs
Revenue
Cannabis Tax Grant, Revenue
9351700-334100
$148,364.83
Expenditures
Cannabis Tax Grant, Overtime
9351700-411501
$119,678.83
Cannabis Tax Grant, Supplies
9351700-426800
$20,790.00
Cannabis Tax Grant, Travel
9351700-427100
$7,896.00
Total Expenditures
$148,364.83
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 A. Norton, City Attorney
Attachment: Resolution
The California Department of Highway Patrol Cannabis Tax Fund Program - Page 3