TO: HONORABLE MAYOR
AND CITY COUNCIL
FROM: Paul Joseph
SUBJECT: See Below DATE: November 24, 2025
Approved
Date:
12/3/25
COUNCIL DISTRICT: Citywide
SUBJECT: Actions Related to the 2025 California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force Grant
RECOMMENDATION
Adopt a resolution authorizing the City Manager or her designee to:
(a) Apply to and accept the 2025 California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force Grant in the amount of $1,350,000; and
(b) Execute any Grant Agreements, amendments, and all related documents, including online certifications at time of award application, award acceptance, and reimbursement requests.
SUMMARY AND OUTCOME
The City Council’s approval of this recommendation will allow the Police Department (Department) to apply for continued grant funding for the Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force in the amount of $1,350,000. Past grant funding has been used to investigate and allow for the prosecution of child predators.
BACKGROUND
Since 1976, commercial child sexual abuse material has expanded significantly and become more sophisticated as the technology to reproduce and distribute the illicit material has rapidly developed. The internet has provided predators with easier access to children with greater anonymity. It has also enabled child predators to form clubs and other organizations to expand their exploitation of children.
COUNCIL AGENDA: 12/16/25
FILE: 25-1320
ITEM: 2.22
HONORABLE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL
November 24, 2025
Subject: Actions Related to the 2025 California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force Grant
In February 2003, the Department applied for and was awarded its first ICAC grant from the United States Department of Justice. From that point forward, the Department has applied for and received numerous ICAC continuation grants. ICAC grants have provided funding for overtime, salaries and benefits for professional staff positions, equipment, vehicles for investigations, and for training (including national ICAC conferences). Funding has also provided equipment and training for investigators from 11 Bay Area counties participating in the Silicon Valley ICAC Task Force. Investigators from the Department’s Child Exploitation Detail were instrumental in developing the first series of nationwide investigative trainings for ICAC. The Department’s ICAC Task Force received the first California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES) ICAC grant award in 2007 to aid in meeting the objectives of the Task Force.
In August 2025, Cal OES released a grant solicitation for the Fiscal Year 2025 ICAC Task Force Grant Program and the Department wishes to submit a grant proposal. This is a one-year reimbursable grant, and the Department will be responsible for ensuring the expenditures are allowable as set forth by the Cal OES Financial Sub-Recipient Handbook and the City’s Policies and Procedures.
ANALYSIS
In November 2025, the Department received notice that Cal OES now requires applicants to request written authority from the jurisdiction’s governing body prior to submitting an application for funding. Historically, Cal OES only required approval from the governing body upon acceptance of the award. The Department wishes to apply for $1,350,000 of grant funding for the 2025 ICAC Task Force Grant Program. The grant term is January 1, 2026, through December 31, 2026. This grant will fund activities as they relate to the Silicon Valley ICAC program including personnel costs related to professional staff, operating supplies, software licenses, equipment, and the education and outreach.
The following list provides information on the project budget for the 2025 ICAC Task Force Grant that will be submitted to Cal OES. These estimates are subject to reallocation and/or change over the course of the grant term; however, the total grant amount to the City will remain the same.
1. $415,284 of the funds will be used for temporary personal service costs to support the salary and benefits of two digital Forensic Analyst positions.
2. $934,716 of the funds will be used for operating costs that include, but are not limited to, forensic analytical tools, training, equipment, supplies for task force operations, and software license renewals.
HONORABLE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL
November 24, 2025
Subject: Actions Related to the 2025 California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force Grant
Table 1 lists the funding amounts for personal and operating expenses for the grant term, from January 1, 2026, to December 31, 2026.
Table 1. Grant Funding Amounts
*Recommendations to recognize and appropriate $207,642 of this grant will be brought forward for City Council approval as part of the development of the 2026-2027 Operating Budget.
EVALUATION AND FOLLOW-UP
This memorandum will not require any staff follow-up.
COST SUMMARY/IMPLICATIONS
The recommended actions in this memorandum will allow the City Manager or her designee to apply for and accept the 2025 California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force Grant in the amount of $1,350,000.
The Department will return to City Council as part of a future budget process or City Council memorandum to appropriate any expenditures and revenues if awarded.
Forensic tools may have minor future maintenance, repair, or monthly service charges that would need to be covered by the General Fund if they are to continue beyond the grant term. The Department would request any funds necessary for continuation of desired services beyond the grant term as part of future budget processes.
This project is being funded by Cal OES and there is no cash or in-kind match requirement with the grant. Should grant funding be discontinued, alternate funding for this program would need to be considered. Any request to the General Fund will be subject to the appropriation of funds taking into consideration the City’s overall fiscal condition, City Council priorities, and other departmental program needs.
Budget Category FY: 2025-2026 FY: 2026-2027 Total
A. Personal
Expenses
$207,642 $207,642 $415,284
B. Operating
Expenses
$934,716 $0 $934,716
Total City
Appropriation by
Fiscal Year
$1,142,358
$207,642*
$1,350,000
HONORABLE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL
November 24, 2025
Subject: Actions Related to the 2025 California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force Grant
BUDGET REFERENCE
This action will not result in any impacts to the General Fund at this time. The Department will return to City Council as part of a future budget process or City Council memorandum to appropriate any expenditures and revenues if the grant is awarded.
COORDINATION
This memorandum has been coordinated with the City Attorney’s Office and the City Manager’s Budget Office.
PUBLIC OUTREACH
This memorandum will be posted on the City’s Council Agenda website for the December 16, 2025 City Council meeting.
COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION AND INPUT
No commission recommendation or input is associated with this action.
CEQA
Not a Project, File No. PP17-004, Government Funding Mechanism or Fiscal Activity with no commitment to a specific project which may result in a potentially significant physical impact on the environment.
PUBLIC SUBSIDY REPORTING
This item does not include a public subsidy as defined in section 53083 or 53083.1 of the California Government Code or the City’s Open Government Resolution.
/s/
PAUL JOSEPH
Chief of Police
For questions, please contact Jennifer Otani, Division Manager, Police Department, at [email protected] or 408-537-1625 or Captain Nqui Scherry at (408) 277- 4002.