City Council Staff Report Page 1 of 3 September 9, 2025 Agenda Item No.
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DATE: September 9, 2025
TO: Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Council
FROM: Joan Malloy, City Manager
SUBJECT: Adopt a Resolution Authorizing the Acceptance of Office of Traffic Safety Selective Traffic Enforcement Program Grant Funds, in the Amount of $95,000, for Fiscal Year 2025-2026, and Amending the Fiscal Year 2025-2026 OTS Fund Budget
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The Union City Police Department (UCPD) applied for Selective Traffic Enforcement Program (STEP) grant funding from the Office of Traffic Safety (OTS). The Union City Police Department was awarded $95,000 in grant funding to support impaired driving enforcement, traffic enforcement, distracted driving enforcement, pedestrian and bicycle enforcement, and traffic safety education as outlined in the grant application process.
BACKGROUND
In 2017, the National Safety Council reported that more than 40,000 people died in motor vehicle collisions. The three most significant causes of fatalities on the road are alcohol, speeding, and distracted driving. Like most cities, Union City has overwhelming traffic issues. The volume of commuter traffic, combined with the traffic produced by our population, presents many challenges to public safety.
To understand the gravity of this issue, it is essential to examine our city’s recent history in relation to traffic collisions and impaired driving. In 2022, the Union City Police Department received 585 traffic collision calls for service and made 35 DUI arrests; there were no fatal collisions in 2022. In 2023, the Union City Police Department received 641 traffic collision calls for service, investigated five fatal collisions, and made 36 DUI arrests.
In 2024, the Union City Police Department received 728 traffic collision calls for service and made 60 DUI arrests; there were no fatal collisions in 2024.
DISCUSSION
The money from the Selective Traffic Enforcement Program (STEP) grant will provide the necessary funding to allow the department to conduct additional enforcement and education that would not typically occur due to budgetary constraints. The additional revenue will be used in a variety of ways, including facilitating DUI checkpoints and Agenda Item No. {{section.number}}.{{item.number}}
City Council Staff Report Page 2 of 3 September 9, 2025 providing directed traffic enforcement in specific areas of the city where violations occur more frequently. The monies will also be used to address people who drive while using their cell phones and connect with bicyclists who violate traffic laws. There will be educational opportunities for the youth of Union City, as well as additional training for department employees.
The citizens of Union City will benefit from the acceptance of the Selective Traffic Enforcement Program grant funding.
FISCAL IMPACT
The STEP grant funding of $95,000 from the Office of Traffic Safety will provide the necessary resources to support the enforcement and education efforts identified above.
In anticipation of receiving the FY 2025-2026 OTS STEP Grant, $92,000 was included as estimated revenue, and $96,475 was appropriated, in the FY 2025-2026 OTS STEP Grant Fund budget, of which $4,475 was related to the prior year grant. Therefore, the budget amendments included in the attached resolution are only increasing the revenue and expenditure budgets by $3,000 each, to bring the total revenue and expenditure budgets to $95,000.
RECOMMENDATION
It is recommended that the City Council adopt a resolution:
1. Authorizing the acceptance of FY 2025-2026 Office of Traffic Safety (OTS) Selective Traffic Enforcement Program (STEP) grant funds, in the amount of $95,000; and
2. Amending the FY 2025-2026 OTS Fund revenue budget by increasing the revenue projection in Account Number 21421426-44013 (OTS Fund – PD OTS STEP PT26087 – OTS Grant) by $3,000, from $92,000 to $95,000; and
3. Amending the FY 2025-2026 OTS Fund expenditure budget by appropriating $3,000 to the following Account Numbers:
Account Number Account Description
FY26
Adopted
Budget
FY26
Amendments
FY26
Amended
Budget
214-21425-57130 Other Capital Equipment 4,475 0 4,475
214-21426-51115 Overtime Pay 82,951 (2,351) 80,600
214-21426-52110 Medicare Tax 0 1,170 1,170
214-21426-52113 Workers' Compensation (ISF) 0 9,730 9,730 214-21426-53701 Other Operating Supplies 5,436 (3,936) 1,500 214-21426-54214 Paper Printing Svcs (SB1383) 400 (400) 0 214-21426-54310 Travel & Training 915 1,085 2,000
214-21426-54312 Travel/Training Non-Reimb 2,298 (2,298) 0 Totals 96,475 3,000 99,475
for a total FY 2025-2026 OTS Fund expenditure budget of $99,475; and Agenda Item No. {{section.number}}.{{item.number}}
City Council Staff Report Page 3 of 3 September 9, 2025
4. Authorizing the City Manager, or her designee, to execute any and all documents necessary to accept the grant, in a form approved by the City Attorney, and take any other such action as is necessary to carry out the purpose and intent of this Resolution.
Prepared by: Andrew Holt, Captain
Submitted by: Jared Rinetti, Police Chief
Attachments
1. Draft Resolution