City Council
Report
City Council Meeting: September 26, 2023
Agenda Item: 5.C
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To: Mayor and City Council
From: Ramon Batista, Police Chief, Police Department
Subject: Authorization to accept Grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety for the Selective Enforcement Program.
Recommended Action
Staff recommends that the City Council:
1. Adopt a finding of Categorical Exemption pursuant to Section 15321 of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines
2. Authorize the City Manager to accept a grant awarded in the amount of $306,000 from the California Office of Traffic Safety for the Police Department’s Selective Traffic Enforcement Program.
3. Authorize the City Manager to execute all necessary documents to accept the grant and all subsequent grant renewals.
4. Authorize budget changes as outlined in the Financial Impacts & Budget Actions section of this report.
Summary
The Santa Monica Police Department (SMPD) has been awarded a $306,000 Selective Traffic Enforcement Program (2023 STEP) grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety (OTS) for a year-long program of education and special enforcement efforts to help prevent traffic-related deaths and injuries. The 2023 STEP grant would provide funding for an array of strategies to impact roadway safety, as well as funds for training and outreach. SMPD continues to work with community partners and mobility groups to ensure the safety of the roadways. These annual grant activities support Santa Monica in striving to attain the goals of Vision Zero and to ensure our commitment to providing safe travel for all transportation modes.
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Discussion
For over ten years, SMPD has been awarded OTS STEP grant funding that is specifically directed toward improving roadway safety in Santa Monica. SMPD uses these funds to conduct a variety of focused traffic enforcement operations, attend annual trainings, and purchase equipment to support traffic enforcement operations.
Similar to previous OTS STEP grants, the 2023 STEP grant would fund the following enforcement activities, mainly with overtime funds:
• DUI Checkpoint Operations
• DUI Saturation Patrol Operations
• Traffic Enforcement Operations focused on unsafe practices such as speeding and unsafe turning
• Distracted Driving Enforcement Operations
• Motorcycle Safety Enforcement Operations
• Pedestrian and Bicycle Safety Enforcement Operations
Additionally, the 2023 STEP grant program would include six traffic safety educational presentations to the community, “Know Your Limit” campaigns, and participation in National Distracted Driving Awareness month in April. These strategies combined aim to help the community safely share the road and are proven strategies for reducing the number of injury traffic collisions. Safe movement throughout the city is an ongoing high priority at both the state and local level.
Environmental Review
Acceptance of grant funding for enforcement activities is categorically exempt from CEQA under Section 15321. Section 15321 of the CEQA State Guidelines provides Class 21 (enforcement actions by regulatory agencies) exemption for enforcement of a law or law enforcement activities by peace officers acting under any law that provides a criminal sanction.
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Financial Impacts and Budget Actions
Staff seeks authority to accept a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety Selective Traffic Enforcement Program. Staff also recommends the following budget changes.
FY 2023-24 Grant Budget Changes
Establish Revenue Budget Appropriate Funds
Account Number Amount Account Numbers Amount
20180002.40469H $306,000 20180002.511400.89017 $284,123 20180002.55522D $21,877
Total $306,000 Total $306,000
Prepared By: Jose Arroyo, Senior Administrative Analyst Approved Forwarded to Council