FOR THE COUNCIL MEETING OF JANUARY 17, 2023
COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT
TO: City Council
FROM: City Manager
Prepared by: Chief of Police
SUBJECT: OFFICE OF TRAFFIC SAFETY GRANT APPLICATION
RECOMMENDATION:
That the City Council adopt a Resolution authorizing the submission of an application for the 2024 Grant Program Cycle of the California Office of Traffic Safety Selective Traffic Enforcement Program Grant.
BACKGROUND:
Office of Traffic Safety (OTS) is a partnership effort between the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and the State of California. Each year OTS develops a highway safety plan identifying the key highway safety problems in the state and the most effective measures to address them.
The Santa Maria Police Department (SMPD) has received Selective Traffic Enforcement Program (STEP) grants from OTS since 2009. The awarded grant funding has been used for staff overtime working targeted traffic operations and for the purchase of equipment.
The SMPD isturrently operating in a one-year OTS Grant that was awarded in October 2022. This grant has paid for overtime for specialized DUI enforcement, DUI/driver license checkpoints, repeat DUI offender stakeouts, traffic safety presentations, and bike/pedestrian operations.
DISCUSSION:
The SMPD would like to submit a grant application for the Fiscal Year 2024 Grant Cycle to continue the previously implemented STEP and DUI Checkpoint programs. If awarded, the new OTS grant will run from October 1, 2023, through September 30, 2024, and allow the SMPD to continue to supplement its enforcement efforts in critical traffic areas of the City and target traffic factors that lead to fatal and injury collisions. Funding will include overtime and fringe benefits, training, and travel for officers, as well as funding for the purchase of DUI checkpoint supplies.
Fiscal Considerations
There are no matching funds required for this grant application. 1 Impact to the Community
With this funding, enforcement directed at making Santa Maria's roads safer will have a positive impact on the community. This grant will provide funding for traffic officers to continue their educational and enforcement efforts to combat the traffic issues within the City.
MARL SCHNEIDER
Chief of Police
2 RESOLUTION NO.
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SANTA
MARIA, CALIFORNIA, AUTHORIZING THE SUBMISSION OF AN
APPLICATION FOR THE 2024 GRANT PROGRAM CYCLE OF THE
CALIFORNIA OFFICE OF TRAFFIC SAFETY (OTS) SELECTIVE
TRAFFIC ENFORCEMENT PROGRAM (STEP) GRANT
WHEREAS, the City of Santa Maria desires to provide additional traffic safety services for City residents; and
WHEREAS, the City of Santa Maria has determined that it is in the public interest to seek and apply for supplemental funding sources for the purposes of public safety; and NOW, THEREFORE, IT IS HEREBY RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Santa Maria, California, as follows:
1. The City Manager, or designee, is hereby authorized to submit a grant application, appropriate and expend funds awarded to the Santa Maria Police Department pursuant to the California Office of Traffic Safety Selective Traffic Enforcement Grant Program; and
2. Chief Deputy City Clerk is hereby authorized to make minor changes herein to address clerical errors, so long as substantial conformance of the intent of this document is maintained. In doing so, the Chief Deputy City Clerk shall consult with the City Manager and City Attorney concerning any changes deemed necessary.
PASSED AND ADOPTED at a regular meeting of the City Council of the City of Santa Maria, held this 17th day of January 2023.
Mayor
ATTEST:
Chief Deputy City Clerk
APPROVEDAS TO FORM:
City Attorney
APPROVED AS TO CONTENT:
Department Director
City ana.er