City of Sacramento
City Council - 2PM Report
915 I Street Sacramento, CA 95814
www.cityofsacramento.org
File ID: 2025-01207 6/17/2025 Item 22.
Grant: Authorization to Apply for the California Department of Justice (DOJ) 2025/26 Tobacco Grant Program
File ID: 2025-01207
Location: Citywide
Recommendation: Adopt a Resolution authorizing the Interim City Manager or designee to 1) submit a grant application for up to $950,000 in total project funding through the California Department of Justice (DOJ) 2025/26 Tobacco Grant Program; 2) if awarded, accept grant funding in the amount up to $950,000 from the DOJ 2025/26 Tobacco Grant Program; and 3) authorize the completion of any documents necessary to support the grant application and/or award acceptance.
Contact: Peter Lemos, Code & Housing Enforcement Chief, (916) 808-8183, [email protected]; Shawn Bartosh, Program Manager, (916) 808-8673, [email protected]; Community Development Department Presenter: None
Attachments:
1-Description/Analysis
2-Resolution
3- State DOJ Resolution Template
Description/Analysis
Issue Detail: The California Department of Justice (DOJ) released their annual Tobacco Grant program on April 21, 2025. The Community Development Department (CDD) is seeking approval to submit a Request for Proposal (RFP) for funding a 36-month period of performance grant for enforcement of tobacco related state laws and local ordinances that aim to combat the sale of illegal tobacco products and minimize the youth access to tobacco. If awarded, CDD would be the lead department and jointly work with City Attorney’s Office and Police Department to conduct diversion, education, and enforcement of tobacco laws.
The City of Sacramento Code Compliance Division, in collaboration with the Sacramento Police Department and City Attorney’s Office, is proposing a comprehensive tobacco enforcement project aimed at reducing illegal sales of tobacco products to underage individuals, illegal flavored tobacco
File ID: 2025-01207 6/17/2025 Item 22.
products, and sales from non-permitted retailers. The project will include minor decoy operations, shoulder tap stings, retailer inspections, undercover buys, and targeted education efforts. Grant funds will be used to support employee labor costs, purchase buy money, cover operational expenses such as fuel, and acquire surveillance technology capable of live monitoring, recording, and securely storing audio/video evidence. Code will serve as the leading agency in all field operations, with legal and logistical support provided by the City Attorney’s Office and Sacramento PD as needed. This coordinated effort will focus on high-risk areas across the city, particularly locations near schools and youth-centered spaces, to address the public health risk posed by unlawful tobacco access and ensure strong enforcement of local and state laws.
Policy Considerations: The recommendation in this report is in accordance with Resolution 2024- 0193, Section 11 that requires City Council approval is required for applying and accepting of grant funding. DOJ requires all grant applicants to seek a resolution to apply for the grant from their governing body prior to applying.
Economic Impacts: Not applicable.
Environmental Considerations: Not applicable.
Sustainability: None.
Commission/Committee Action: Not applicable.
Rationale for Recommendation: City Council approval is required to apply for, receive, or establish operating grant projects for more than $250,000. This grant funding will positively impact the City’s ability to provide increased services related to tobacco compliance.
Financial Considerations: There are no match requirements for this grant.
Local Business Enterprise (LBE): Not applicable.
Resolution June 17, 2025 Page 1 of 1
RESOLUTION NO.
Adopted by the Sacramento City Council
June 17, 2025
AUTHORIZATION TO APPLY FOR THE CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE (DOJ) 2025/26 TOBACCO GRANT PROGRAM
BACKGROUND
A. The California DOJ released their annual Tobacco Grant Program application period on April 21, 2025. This program provides approximately $28.5 million in available grant funding to support local enforcement efforts to reduce illegal retail sales and marketing tobacco products to minors and youth.
B. The California Healthcare, Research and Prevention Tobacco Tax Act of 2016 (Proposition 56) funding helps promote a healthier California by reducing illegal retail sales and marketing of cigarettes and tobacco products, including e -cigarettes, to minors.
C. The Tobacco Grant Program is administered by the Office of the Attorney General.
Since its inception in 2017, the Tobacco Grant Program has distributed approximately $212 million in grant funding through a competitive process.
BASED ON THE FACTS SET FORTH IN THE BACKGROUND, THE CITY COUNCIL RESOLVES AS FOLLOWS:
SECTION 1.
The City Manager or the City Manager’s designee is hereby authorized to submit a grant application for up to $xxx in total project funding through the Department of Justice 2025/26 Tobacco Grant Program.
SECTION 2.
If awarded, accept grant funding in the amount up to $xxxx from the DOJ for the 2025/26 Tobacco Grant Program.
SECTION 3.
Authorizing the City Manager or the City Manager’s designee to sign and submi t any documents necessary to support the grant application and/or award acceptance.
21 APPENDIX D – GOVERNING BODY
RESOLUTION (SAMPLE LANGUAGE)
RESOLUTION NO. #####
RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE [APPLICANT/GRANTEE] TO ACCEPT GRANT FUNDS IN THE AMOUNT OF [AWARD AMOUNT] FROM THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA, DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE, OFFICE OF THE ATTORNEY GENERAL, TOBACCO GRANT PROGRAM, AND AMENDING THE FISCAL YEAR [INSERT YEAR] ANNUAL BUDGET.
The [APPLICANT/GRANTEE] is interested in participating in the Tobacco Grant Program, which is made available through The California Healthcare Research and Prevention Tobacco Tax Act of 2016 (Prop 56) and administered by the California Department of Justice (DOJ) to support local efforts to reduce the illegal sale of tobacco products to minors; and
Following the City’s submittal of a proposal for the Program, DOJ offered to award [AWARD AMOUNT] for the [24- OR 36-MONTH] grant project beginning [START DATE] and ending [END DATE].
Grant funds will be used for [COSTS INCLUDED IN BUDGET].
To be considered eligible to receive grant funding, the [APPLICANT/GRANTEE] must submit a completed Grant Award Memorandum of Understanding to DOJ; now, therefore, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF [APPLICANT/GRANTEE], AS FOLLOWS:
1. The City Manager or a designated representative is hereby authorized, on behalf of the City, to accept grant funding in the amount of [AWARD AMOUNT] from DOJ including funding terms and conditions of DOJ, including any amendment thereof.
2. The City Manager or a designated representative is hereby authorized and directed, on behalf of the City, to execute the grant documents and to submit all documents including, without limitation, contracts, amendments, extensions, and payment requests as appropriate to accept the funds and comply with conditions of the grant.
3. The City Manager is hereby authorized and directed to establish all required accounts and make all expenditures, appropriations, transfers, and/or distributions of funds on behalf of the City as are necessary and appropriate to carry out the purpose and intent of this resolution.
4. Grant funds received hereunder shall not be used to supplant ongoing expenditures of the City.
PASSED, APPROVED, AND ADOPTED ON [DATE].
SIGNATURE
ATTESTATIONS
APPROVED AS TO FORM: [CITY ATTORNEY/COUNTY COUNSEL]