DATE: SEPTEMBER 24, 2024
DEPARTMENT: SALINAS POLICE DEPARTMENT
FROM: JOHN MURRAY, ACTING CHIEF OF POLICE
BY: TONYA ERICKSON, POLICE SERVICES ADMINISTRATOR
DIANA CALIZO, ADMINISTRATIVE ANALYST
TITLE: OFFICE OF TRAFFIC SAFETY (OTS) GRANTS AND AGREEMENT WITH ECOLOGY ACTION RECOMMENDED MOTION:
A motion to approve a Resolution:
Authorizing the acceptance of the 2025 California Office of Traffic Safety (OTS) Selective Traffic Enforcement Program (STEP) grant in the amount of $98,000, the execution of all grant-related documents, and the establishment of the 2025 OTS-STEP Grant appropriation of up to $98,000 and corresponding revenue budget to support grant activities.
Authorizing the acceptance of the 2025 California Office of Traffic Safety Pedestrian and Bicycle Safety Program (PBSP) grant in the amount of $170,831, the execution of all grant-related documents, and the establishment of the 2025 OTS-PBSP Grant appropriation of up to $170,831, and corresponding revenue budget to support grant activities.
Authorizing the City Manager to execute an Agreement with Ecology Action for $170,831 to provide services funded by the 2025 California OTS-PBSP grant.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY:
The Salinas Police Department has been awarded two OTS Grants to support the department’s traffic enforcement and education efforts related to traffic, bicycle, and pedestrian safety. The Department is requesting authorization to accept both the OTS-STEP and OTS-PBSP grants, and to execute an agreement with Ecology Action to provide OTS-PBSP grant activities.
BACKGROUND:
Annually the California Office of Traffic Safety (OTS) makes funds available to local agencies to further their traffic enforcement and education efforts related to traffic, bicycle, and pedestrian safety. The Salinas Police Department (SPD) has been awarded OTS Selective Traffic Enforcement Program (STEP) grant funding in the amount of $98,000 to aid in its efforts to reduce the number of people killed and injured in traffic collisions, both alcohol-related and non-alcohol related. SPD has received OTS-STEP grant funding for the last 11 years to support DUI and traffic enforcement activities. This STEP grant will target problems that include speed violations, distracted driving, red-light violations, pedestrian/vehicle right-of-way violations, and enforcement at locations with a high instance of collisions and injuries. The grant will also provide funding for DUI saturation patrols, Distracted Driving patrols, and Sobriety Checkpoints. The grant funds will enable SPD to employ best practice strategies on an overtime basis. To further deter serious traffic collisions, injuries and fatalities, the Police Department will use the grant funds to conduct traffic enforcement operations targeting distracted drivers and other violations that have shown to be the proximate cause of collisions in Salinas. The Police Department will also use the grant funds as reimbursement for training and travel expenses associated with the Department’s traffic enforcement efforts. The grant period will run from October 1, 2024, through September 30, 2025.
The Salinas Police Department has also been awarded OTS Pedestrian and Bicycle Safety Program (PBSP) grant funding in the amount of $170,831 to aid in its efforts to reduce the number of people killed and injured in pedestrian and bicycle traffic collisions. SPD has been awarded the OTS-PBSP grant since 2019. As in previous years, SPD will subcontract the full amount of the OTS-PBSP grant, $170,831, to Ecology Action for the provision of grant activities. Ecology Action is a non-profit organization based in Santa Cruz and they have partnered with the Transportation Agency of Monterey County (TAMC) in hopes of serving every student in Monterey County with pedestrian and bicycle safety education by the time they finish 5th grade. To achieve this goal, Ecology Action works in close collaboration with several community partners, including TAMC, the Monterey County Health Department, the Monterey Peninsula Foundation, the Community Foundation of Monterey County, and others to provide support for these efforts. Through their work with the Salinas Police Department on the 2025 OTS-PBSP grant, Ecology Action will provide 30 Walk Smart Classroom Presentation and related Walking Field Trips, and 27 Bike Smart Classroom Presentations and related Bike Rodeos. In addition to the services provided during the 2024 OTS-PBSP grant, the partnership will expand by offering services to middle school and high school students and by incorporating additional services such as Learn to Ride Workshops, Group Rides, and Bike Repair Clinics. Learn to Ride Workshops are designed to teach elementary students the skills needed to ride a bicycle and provide students who already know how to ride a bicycle a chance to improve their skills. Group Rides are geared toward middle school and high school students and will teach them about bike safety and offer beginner-friendly opportunities to explore safe neighborhood routes, while gaining confidence with street riding. Bike Repair Clinics for Teens are designed to ensure that middle and high school students are riding safe and operable bikes. The clinics will offer free bicycle mechanical checks and basic repair, as well as instruction on bike checks and flat tire repair. Ecology Action will also distribute bicycle helmets and bicycle safety equipment during bicycle safety community events, bicycle safety courses, and other community events. The grant period will run from October 1, 2024, through September 30, 2025.
The Department is requesting City Council approval to accept the 2025 OTS-STEP Grant in the amount of $98,000 and the 2025 OTS-PBSP grant in the amount of $170,831. Staff is also requesting approval to enter into an Agreement with Ecology Action to provide pedestrian and bicycle safety training to the community as funded by the OTS-PBSP grant.
POLICE COMMUNITY ADVISORY COMMITTEE:
The Police Chief discussed the awarding of these OTS grants with the Police Community Advisory Committee during their meeting on August 28, 2024. The Committee had no questions or comments related to these requested actions.
CEQA CONSIDERATION:
Not a Project. The City of Salinas has determined that the proposed action is not a project as defined by the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) (CEQA Guidelines Section 15378).
STRATEGIC PLAN INITIATIVE:
Approving the proposed Resolutions will support the City Council Strategic Plan Goal of Public Safety.
DEPARTMENTAL COORDINATION:
The Police Department will work with the Legal Department during approval, and with the Finance Department during implementation.
FISCAL AND SUSTAINABILITY IMPACT:
No matching funds are required from the City of Salinas to receive the grant funds, and the Resolutions will authorize the establishment of an appropriation and corresponding revenue budget to support grant activities.
Fund
Appropriation
Appropriation
Name
Total Appropriation
Amount for recommendation
FY 24-25 Operating Budget Page
Last Budget Action (Date, Resolution)
TBD
To be established
TBD
to be established
$98,000
n/a
n/a
TBD
To be established
TBD
to be established
$170,831
n/a
n/a
ATTACHMENTS:
Resolution – Acceptance of OTS-STEP Grant
Resolution – Acceptance of OTS-PBSP Grant
Resolution – Agreement with Ecology Action
2025 OTS-STEP Grant Agreement
2025 OTS-PBSP Grant Agreement
2025 Ecology Action Agreement
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