DATE: AUGUST 18, 2026
DEPARTMENT: POLICE DEPARTMENT
FROM: CARLOS ACOSTA, CHIEF OF POLICE
TITLE: ACCEPTANCE OF 2027 CALIFORNIA OFFICE OF TRAFFIC SAFETY (OTS) GRANT AWARDS RECOMMENDED MOTION:
A motion to approve the following:
A Resolution accepting the 2027 California Office of Traffic Safety (OTS) Selective Traffic Enforcement Program (STEP) Grant in the amount of $83,000, delegating authority for the City Manager and the Finance Director to execute all grant related documents, and authorizing the establishment of the 2027 OTS-STEP Grant expense appropriation and corresponding revenue budget of up to $83,000 to support grant activities.
A Resolution accepting the 2027 California Office of Traffic Safety Pedestrian and Bicycle Safety Program (PBSP) Grant in the amount of $100,000, delegating authority for the City Manager and Finance Director to execute all grant related documents, and authorizing the establishment of the 2027 OTS-PBSP Grant expense appropriation and corresponding revenue budget of up to $100,000 to support grant activities.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY:
The Salinas Police Department has been awarded two California 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 the 2027 OTS- STEP Grant in the amount of $83,000 and the 2027 OTS-PBSP Grant in the amount of $100,000, including the execution of all grant-related documents and establishment of associated grant budgets.
BACKGROUND:
Annually the California Office of Traffic Safety (OTS) makes Federal 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 an OTS Selective Traffic Enforcement Program (STEP) Grant in the amount of $83,000 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 more than 10 years to support DUI and traffic enforcement activities. The STEP grant will target 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 funds to conduct traffic enforcement operations targeting distracted drivers and other violations that have been shown to be the proximate cause of collisions in Salinas. The Police Department will also use the grant funds to support training and travel expenses associated with the Department’s traffic enforcement efforts, and for the purchase of DUI checkpoint supplies. The grant period will run from October 1, 2026 through September 30, 2027.
The Salinas Police Department has also been awarded an OTS Pedestrian and Bicycle Safety Program (PBSP) Grant in the amount of $100,000 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 grant award, $100,000, to Ecology Action for the provision of grant activities. Ecology Action is a non-profit organization based in Santa Cruz, with an office in Salinas, 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 2027 OTS-PBSP grant, Ecology Action will provide 12 Walk Smart Classroom Presentations and related Walking Field Trips to 2nd Grade students, 14 Bike Smart Classroom Presentations and related Bike Rodeos to 5th Grade students, one Learn to Ride Workshop, one Community Group Ride, and one Bicycle Repair Clinic. The 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. Community 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. Bicycle Repair Clinics 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 how to perform bicycle checks and flat tire repairs. Ecology Action will also distribute bicycle helmets and bicycle safety equipment during bicycle safety events and courses/workshops, and other community events. The grant period will run from October 1, 2026, through September 30, 2027.
The Department is requesting City Council approval to accept the 2027 OTS-STEP Grant in the amount of $83,000 and the 2027 OTS-PBSP grant in the amount of $100,000, including the execution of all grant-related documents and establishment of the grant budgets. The draft Grant Agreements are attached to this City Council Report.
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). In addition, CEQA Guidelines Section 15061 includes the general rule that CEQA applies only to activities which have the potential for causing a significant effect on the environment. Where it can be seen with certainty that there is no possibility that the activity in question may have a significant effect on the environment, the activity is not subject to CEQA. Because the proposed action and this matter have no potential to cause any effect on the environment, or because it falls within a category of activities excluded as projects pursuant to CEQA Guidelines section 15378, this matter is not a project. Because the matter does not cause a direct or foreseeable indirect physical change on or in the environment, this matter is not a project. Any subsequent discretionary projects resulting from this action will be assessed for CEQA applicability.
CALIFORNIA GOVERNMENT CODE §84308 APPLIES:
No.
STRATEGIC PLAN INITIATIVE:
Approving the proposed Resolutions will support the City Council Strategic Plan Goals of Public Safety and Youth and Seniors.
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.
Fund
General Ledger Number (Operating/CIP)
General Ledger Account Name
Remaining Budget Appropriation
Amount Requested
3157
40.7110-Multiple
Selective Traffic Enf Program (Expense)
n/a
$83,000
3157
40.7110-55.7212
Selective Traffic Enf Program (Revenue)
n/a
$83,000
3158
40.7101-63.5900
Pedestrian & Bike Safety Program (Expense)
n/a
$100,000
3158
40.7101-55.7212
Pedestrian & Bike Safety Program (Revenue)
n/a
$100,000
ATTACHMENTS:
Resolution – 2027 OTS-STEP Grant
Resolution – 2027 OTS-PBSP Grant
2027 OTS-STEP Draft Grant Agreement
2027 OTS-PBSP Draft Grant Agreement
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CITY OF SALINAS
COUNCIL STAFF REPORT