SR-701-006 (3)
PD:JTB:MM:f:\police\share\staffrpt\llebg2000
Council Meeting: October 24, 2000 Santa Monica, California
TO: Mayor and City Council
FROM: City Staff
SUBJECT: Recommendation to Appropriate and Designate Uses of 2000 Local
Law Enforcement Block Grants Funds
INTRODUCTION
This report recommends that the City Council appropriate and designate the use
of grant award funds from the Local Law Enforcement Block Grants (LLEBG)
program, established under the Federal Fiscal Year 2000 Omnibus
Appropriations Act.
BACKGROUND
The City of Santa Monica is eligible to receive $219,248 of the Federal LLEBG
program 2000 appropriation, ??to reduce crime and improve public safety?.
Grantee obligations include holding a public discussion on proposed use of the
funds. This City Council meeting serves as the required public hearing.
DISCUSSION
The Police Department has identified four potential uses for the 2000 Federal
allocation. Each is within the Federal government?s eligible use criteria as noted
below.
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The first use, which qualifies as ?enhancing security measures in and around
schools?, is to upgrade school crossing guard equipment. This supports the
City?s Pedestrian Safety Initiative by improving the safety of children walking to
and from school. The proposed equipment purchase includes lighted safety
vests, intersection caution cones, and costs to rehabilitate retired police radios to
allow 2-way communications between crossing guards and supervisors. The
estimated cost is $30,000.
The second use of the funds, which qualifies as ?procuring equipment ? directly
related to basic law enforcement functions?, is the purchase of two vans for the
Police Youth Services Division. The vans will be equipped to make them suitable
for safe transport of children in all age groups. Police Activities League (PAL)
staff members will use the vans to transport youth participating in PAL programs
to off-site events and competitions. Additionally, the Police Department?s School
Resource Officers will use the vans to carry staff and materials needed for school
or community group presentations. The vans will also be used for the conduct of
truancy sweeps. Total cost for the two fully equipped vans is $70,000. An
additional $15,000 is proposed to purchase a trailer for use with the vans to
transport bulky equipment and materials.
The third recommended use of the funds, also qualifying as ?procuring equipment
? directly related to basic law enforcement functions?, is to expand and digitize
the Police Department?s existing data on Santa Monica residential care patients
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who have cognitive disorders and are likely to wander away from home. By
digitizing the data currently maintained on file cards, service can be offered on an
expanded voluntary basis to the estimated 635 residents in nursing homes and
residential care facilities in Santa Monica. Permission to have an individual?s
information and picture entered into the database is given by persons granted
custodial rights and responsibilities for these individuals. The software to be
used for this project is from the Police Department?s existing Orion Database
System. Grant funds of $15,000 will pay for a portable computer and camera
equipment, flyers, a public service announcement to inform citizens of the
service, and wages for a temporary employee to complete the initial site visits,
photography, and data entry. After the initial workload is complete, permanent
Police Department staff will be able to carry on the service for new enrollees.
?To enhance adjudication of cases involving violent offenders?, staff recommends
that the remaining $113,609 of grant funds be used to pay for testing of DNA
evidence on unsolved homicide and/or major sexual assault cases. Police
investigators will review and select up to 25 cases for submission based on the
greatest likelihood of conclusive results leading to successful prosecutions.
BUDGET/FINANCIAL IMPACT
The LLEBG grant provides 90% of the funding needed to finance projects that
meet federal eligible cost criteria. The City, as grantee, must provide local
matching funds equal to at least 10% of total project cost. In this case, total
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project cost is $243,609, with $219,248 (90%) financed by the LLEBG grant
funds and $24,361 (10%) provided by the City. The City local matching funds will
be obtained from the Police Department?s existing FY2000-2001 Operating
Budget.
The following Fiscal Year 2000-2001 budget changes will be necessary:
1. Establish revenue account #20304.407130 in the amount of $219,248 to
reflect receipt of the 2000 LLEBG funds (Local Law Enforcement Block
Grant ? Federal Funds);
2. Appropriate $219,248 in capital improvement project account
#C20053701.589000 (Local Law Enforcement Block Grant);
3. Transfer the required local matching funds for the grant, in the amount of
$24,361, from Police Department FY2000-2001 General Fund Operating
Budget account #01304.533580 to capital improvement project account
#C01053701.589000 (Local Law Enforcement Block Grant ? Local
Match).
Uses of Funds
$ 30,000 - Upgrade equipment for City's crossing guards
70,000 - Purchase two vans for Youth Services Division
15,000 - Purchase equipment trailer for Youth Services Division
15,000 - Photo identification service for elderly in residential care
113,609 - DNA testing of forensic evidence
$243,609
Sources of Funds
$219,248 - LLEBG grant (90%)
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24,361 - Matching funds from Police Operating Budget (10%)
$243,609
Recommendation
It is recommended that the City Council appropriate Year 2000 Local Law
Enforcement Block Grant funds, designate their use for the four projects, and
approve the budget changes described above.
Prepared by: James T. Butts, Jr., Chief of Police
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